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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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Apsley House
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(London SW1) Built by Robert *Adam in 1771–8, this house at Hyde Park Corner was the first imposing residence after entering London through the tollgates at Knightsbridge and so acquired the popular address 'No. 1 London'. It was bought in 1817 by the duke of *Wellington, who made major changes to the exterior. In 1947 his descendant gave it to the nation, and since 1952 it has been open to the public as the Wellington Museum.
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Its main treasures are items presented to Wellington. These include the Sèvres Egyptian dessert service, and the huge marble statue by Canova of the duke's rival, Napoleon, as a heroic nude. The Waterloo Gallery contains many of the paintings which were honourable loot from the *Peninsular War. Wellington captured them from the French, who had removed them from the Spanish royal collection, and he was told by the Spanish king to keep them for his pains. They include the superb early Velazquez of The Waterseller of Seville.
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