DOI issue:
No. 26 (May, 1895)
DOI article:The new "Magpie and Stump": a successful experiment in domestic architecture
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.17294#0087
The "Magpie and Stump"
also unearthed. A subterranean passage, 12 feet of the somewhat notorious inn, so far as its new
high and 1 2 feet wide, extending for about 100 feet, purpose allows.
was discovered, and necessarily demolished for the To-day, however, it is less in its historic than in
sake of good foundations for the new building. its artistic aspects that the " Magpie and Stump "
Tradition, which need not be too readily accepted, would interest readers of The Studio. Outside
says this was part of an underground passage lead- it is not, at first sight, notably different from many
ing from Kensington Palace to the Thames. It a good new house in re-erected Chelsea. Of red
has not been easy to fix the date of its construe- brick and white stone, it preserves a picturesque
tion beyond the fact that its bricks were un- ensemble, and does not arrogantly insist on forcing
doubtedly earlier than the time of William III. originality as its chief claim to notice. Well-
In the last century a portion was used as a hiding- planned and full of agreeable details, its facade
place for an illicit still. Of the former buildings from a hasty glance might be regarded as merely
nothing remains but the skittle alley in the garden, a good modern house of the very eclectic style so
now used as a studio. The outward features of absurdly miscalled Queen Anne. But a more
the old inn are preserved in sketches by Mr. lengthened study would disabuse you, and from
Joseph Pennell, Mr. C. E. Holloway, and others ; the moment you mount its steps, as the front doors
in these the old sign in iron, representing a magpie set at right angles to each other beneath the portico
on a stump, can be seen. Although Mr. Ashbee attract your notice, you find little of Queen Anne
was compelled to clear away such ruins as the fire or any other prevailing fashion. Of solid oak,
left, he has endeavoured to keep the old associations broadly designed with well-proportioned mouldings
THE "MAGPIE AND STUMP " STAIRCASE
71
also unearthed. A subterranean passage, 12 feet of the somewhat notorious inn, so far as its new
high and 1 2 feet wide, extending for about 100 feet, purpose allows.
was discovered, and necessarily demolished for the To-day, however, it is less in its historic than in
sake of good foundations for the new building. its artistic aspects that the " Magpie and Stump "
Tradition, which need not be too readily accepted, would interest readers of The Studio. Outside
says this was part of an underground passage lead- it is not, at first sight, notably different from many
ing from Kensington Palace to the Thames. It a good new house in re-erected Chelsea. Of red
has not been easy to fix the date of its construe- brick and white stone, it preserves a picturesque
tion beyond the fact that its bricks were un- ensemble, and does not arrogantly insist on forcing
doubtedly earlier than the time of William III. originality as its chief claim to notice. Well-
In the last century a portion was used as a hiding- planned and full of agreeable details, its facade
place for an illicit still. Of the former buildings from a hasty glance might be regarded as merely
nothing remains but the skittle alley in the garden, a good modern house of the very eclectic style so
now used as a studio. The outward features of absurdly miscalled Queen Anne. But a more
the old inn are preserved in sketches by Mr. lengthened study would disabuse you, and from
Joseph Pennell, Mr. C. E. Holloway, and others ; the moment you mount its steps, as the front doors
in these the old sign in iron, representing a magpie set at right angles to each other beneath the portico
on a stump, can be seen. Although Mr. Ashbee attract your notice, you find little of Queen Anne
was compelled to clear away such ruins as the fire or any other prevailing fashion. Of solid oak,
left, he has endeavoured to keep the old associations broadly designed with well-proportioned mouldings
THE "MAGPIE AND STUMP " STAIRCASE
71