Historic Mansions Burned.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7749, 27 February 1905, Page 2

Historic Mansions Burned.

THE EAHL OF LINDSEY AS A FI.KEMAX. OUIUOUS SCENES. The Earl of Lindsey's scat, Uffington House, about a mile from Stamford, was destroyed by fire recently. The Earl and Countess had only arI ivod from London the same evening, and thcTaniily were diessing for j dinner when tho firo was iirst disovered. It began at the east end |of tho mansioo, originating through a defective flue in the nursery. | As soon as the alarm was given, Lord lindsey summoned assistance 'and superintended the manual engine kept at the house. This was connected with a fountain basin, and the Earl manipulated the hose with much activity. In the meantime Lady jLindsey and her daughter (Lady Muriel Bertie) busied themselves in conveying articles brought from the house joy ready helpers to a place of safety on the lawn. The water supply from the fountain was soon exhausted, and Lord Lindsey then assisted in rescuing the valuables in the mansion. The lawn was, alfter. a while, covered with a varied array of furniture and objects of art. After the flames had subsided, it was a curious sight to see |Lady Lindsey sitting in evening di-ess in a chair on the lawn amid the collection of valuables, watching tho smouldering ruins of her home. La>t|er tho more valuable articles were removed to the residences of some of the villagers. | A safe in one of the ground floor I rooms could not be opened urotil the Are had secured a good hold and portions of the burning ceiling were falling in nil directions,. The key Jtras then forthcoming, and nit some risk the firemen opened it and handed the contents, including family papery and jewflte, to Lowl Lindsey. | The mansion was a handsome,, Square 'building, erected ,by Henry Bortie about 1830. It contained a I iplendid collection of art treasures, including a staircase of exquisite Sign and several paintings by VerriOi