DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.22423#0357
Letter XXX. DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE'S COLLECTION. 345
Duke would soon join me. This fine apartment contains in elegant
bookcases the rarest literary treasures in the choicest bindings.
In early editions it is exceeded by none in England, except by the
celebrated library at Althorp. To the ample store of volumes
which the present Duke inherited have been added the greatest
rarities from the renowned library of the Duke of Roxburgh,
the library of the Bishop of Ely, purchased for 10,000?., and a
large library which he has inherited from his uncle, Lord Cavendish.
The Duke, who entered, and appeared to be very much indisposed,
addressed me in the most friendly manner, inviting me to remain
at Chatsworth as long as it. should be agreeable to me, and then
proceeded to show me the greatest curiosities. It was with pecu-
liar pleasure that I examined, among others, the oldest Floren-
tine edition of Homer. Printed on the finest white parchment
with the most elegant type, the initials painted in miniature,
it offers a most beautiful object to the eye. The recollection that
after about 1000 years' oblivion this edition had again furnished
many with the means of drinking at this ancient fountain of poetry
gave it in my eyes an additional charm. Here too I saw some of
the rarest impressions by Caxton, the first who practised the art
of printing in England. On leaving me the Duke gave me the
keys to all these treasures, telling me I need not return them till
my departure. Being thus enabled to arrange my studies in the
order I pleased, I first proceeded to examine the pictures, which
are distributed in several apartments and in the dining-room. Since
1835 the Duke has removed a number of his pictures from Devon-
shire House and Chiswick to Chatsworth, so that not only a greater
number of apartments here are now decorated with pictures, but a
corridor and a picture-gallery have been added.
I describe first the pictures which are in the apartments on the
first floor, including also other interesting works of art in the
same rooms.
First Room.
Luca Giordano.—Acis and Galatea. An attractive picture ;
carefully executed in a powerful transparent colour.
Lorenzo Lotto.—To this master I attribute a male portrait
of fine conception, called a Giorgione, formerly in Devonshire
House.
Solomon Koningk.—The portrait of a Rabbi in a chair, treated
with great reality, executed with the greatest care in every part,
Duke would soon join me. This fine apartment contains in elegant
bookcases the rarest literary treasures in the choicest bindings.
In early editions it is exceeded by none in England, except by the
celebrated library at Althorp. To the ample store of volumes
which the present Duke inherited have been added the greatest
rarities from the renowned library of the Duke of Roxburgh,
the library of the Bishop of Ely, purchased for 10,000?., and a
large library which he has inherited from his uncle, Lord Cavendish.
The Duke, who entered, and appeared to be very much indisposed,
addressed me in the most friendly manner, inviting me to remain
at Chatsworth as long as it. should be agreeable to me, and then
proceeded to show me the greatest curiosities. It was with pecu-
liar pleasure that I examined, among others, the oldest Floren-
tine edition of Homer. Printed on the finest white parchment
with the most elegant type, the initials painted in miniature,
it offers a most beautiful object to the eye. The recollection that
after about 1000 years' oblivion this edition had again furnished
many with the means of drinking at this ancient fountain of poetry
gave it in my eyes an additional charm. Here too I saw some of
the rarest impressions by Caxton, the first who practised the art
of printing in England. On leaving me the Duke gave me the
keys to all these treasures, telling me I need not return them till
my departure. Being thus enabled to arrange my studies in the
order I pleased, I first proceeded to examine the pictures, which
are distributed in several apartments and in the dining-room. Since
1835 the Duke has removed a number of his pictures from Devon-
shire House and Chiswick to Chatsworth, so that not only a greater
number of apartments here are now decorated with pictures, but a
corridor and a picture-gallery have been added.
I describe first the pictures which are in the apartments on the
first floor, including also other interesting works of art in the
same rooms.
First Room.
Luca Giordano.—Acis and Galatea. An attractive picture ;
carefully executed in a powerful transparent colour.
Lorenzo Lotto.—To this master I attribute a male portrait
of fine conception, called a Giorgione, formerly in Devonshire
House.
Solomon Koningk.—The portrait of a Rabbi in a chair, treated
with great reality, executed with the greatest care in every part,