1 Devonshire Terrace
In December, 1839, Charles Dickens moved into 1 Devonshire Terrace, near Regent's Park, London, on which he had a twelve year lease.
... in November, just south of the York Gate into the park, he found so exactly what he desired that he was on tenterhooks lest he fail to get it.
"A house of great promise (and great premium), 'undeniable' situation and excessive splendour, is in view ... I am in ecstatic restlessness."
It was a handsome structure with a spacious brick-walled garden between it and the New Road. The entrance set back a little from the street, and an impressive portico of brick and stone, and curving into the garden were two semicircular bow windows rising the height of the house. Within, a large vestibule opened on a spacious square hall and a stairway curving up to the left, a library on the right with steps descending into the garden, and behind these, splendid with ornamental columns, a dining room that also overlooked the garden and the coach house in the rear. On the floors above were a drawing room and bedrooms and nursery.
He ... promptly entered upon a series of magnificent improvements. ... elaborate installations of water closets ...replaced deal doors with paneled mahogany, and wooden mantels with carved marble. For the reception rooms and chief bedrooms entire new suites were ordered.
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