Page:The Strand Magazine (Volume 6).djvu/10

We will now retrace our steps through the chapel ante-room, and cross to the lower corridor. It is long, narrow, and winding, passing under the grand staircase, and has dove marble walls, on which are several good portraits, chief of which are Augusta Princess of Wales, the Duchess of Richmond, Prince George, Prince Edward, the Duke of Brunswick, and the five paintings showing the Coronation procession of William IV. Also you must notice in a recess a statue of Sir Walter Raleigh.

This finishes the suite of what is termed the "Lower State Apartments," and we start again from the Marble Hall in order to view those on the next floor. It is the morning of a "Drawing Room" day, so you will see the rooms as they are arranged for that occasion; and in order that you may the better understand the ceremony, I will conduct you the exact route taken by the débutantes, only diverging now and again to view rooms through which you would not otherwise pass, which deviation I will point out as we proceed.

Have you ever inquired of any youthful friend who has been through the rooms for presentation as to what they are like? I have; and I must honestly say I have never been much the wiser for their answers—"Beautiful!" "Charming!" "Lovely!" etc., but that is about all; for the fact is, the majority of them are too frightened at the ordeal before them when they go up, and too full of relief that it is over when they come down, to look about them. They have a general idea of grandeur and glitter—nothing more! If there is an exception, it is your American girl: she seldom loses the calm coolness characteristic of her nationality, but piacidly looks about her, taking mental notes of dresses, jewels, and faces; and as near as she can, appraises the furniture and fittings.

The Grand Staircase.
From a Photo. by Debenham & Co.

But here we are at the bottom of the grand staircase: the rich crimson curtains at the foot are drawn back, and the view is simply magnificent. Stairs 11ft. 6in. wide, each stair being a solid mass of white marble, and richly carpeted in crimson, the hand-rail on either side of mosaic gold, the walls imitation marble. The roof—which is supported by marble Corinthian columns—is simply superb. Gold and cream, interspersed with hand-painted wreaths of fruit and flowers; the perspective—especially of the alcove—is wonderful: the pattern gradually receding to the smallest minuteness. Note,