Library
We toured two levels of the house- the top floor being off limits.
As is usual for a historic house, the furniture was beautiful, and the art was magnificent. The walls were covered with portraits of family members, and contemporaries of Disraeli. Earls, counts, ministers of the government were all there. A standout was the portrait of Queen Victoria, larger than life, in the dining room. Disraeli and Victoria were good friends, especially after Prince Albert died. There were personal objects too – like Mary Jane’s wedding ring. It was a simple gold band- nothing fancy. I think they were both pretty down-to-earth people.
The library was
impressive, having complete sets of books on many political, social,
philosophical and classical subjects. All books looked worthy and important,
and no one could have read them all in a hundred years. The man was serious
about all that stuff: I suppose it was his job.
Of
course, the property included several acres of woodland and garden. Here is
Glen Wilson standing in one of the pathways.
After we had our fill of Disraeli history, we headed off to Stowe House. Actually, to the National Trust café for lunch: but then to the House. Actually, we walked for a mile or more of planned, landscaped fields, studded with follies, temples ornate bridges, monuments and towers. There are 54 points of interest shown on the guide map.
The grounds were beautifully kept, and the installations impressive. The famous gardener Capability Brown was responsible for a lot of the landscaping.
The house itself was much bigger than unbelievable. The picture does not do it justice.
The place is now a school!
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