ABSTRACT
In 1882, prowling around the outskirts of London, Irving had come upon an old derelict house in Brook Green, Hammersmith, then considered to be almost in the country. He transformed it into a quiet retreat with trees and arbours, a panelled hall, and a study with deep chairs and a large desk. Engravings picture him under the shadow of a tree in his garden with his St Bernard and his bulldog. It is difficult not to think that he planned this as a retreat for himself and Ellen for this was the year of Romeo and Juliet when, as Ellen said, ‘Henry felt like Romeo’. He had bought a long lease of The Grange, Brook Green, and spent a great deal of money on it, yet he never lived there. It was said to be his summer retreat and was used for luncheons, dinner parties, and receptions. But it never became his home.
