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out into the front grounds. A pleasant little room this, a useful one, too, by the look of it; books and music abound, chief of which I note Sullivan's Operas. Over the mantel is an old-fashioned oval mirror, and on it some quaint china animals of Liliputian size. Some choice old prints appear on the walls, amongst them being William Duke of Gloucester, Elizabeth Queen of Bohemia, the "First Council of Her Majesty," and the celebrated "rainbow" picture of Queen Elizabeth, in the possession of the Marquis of Salisbury. In this room I am forcibly reminded of the incessant zeal in all good works, and proverbial kind heart and real good nature of the popular Duchess and her equally popular daughter. It is not necessary for me to dilate here upon the various charitable objects taken in hand by these two ladies, but the presence of a huge pile of annual Reports of the Needlework Guild will justify the mention of this―one of the most useful works organized by them.
Several little models near testify to the affection in which H.R.H. the Duchess is held by some of the poor whom she has benefited: one is a model of Brill's Swimming Baths at Brighton; another a model of the Seaside Home for Orphans―just little trifles in cardboard and seaweed, but birthday presents, accepted in the spirit in which they are offered, and preserved and prized as though the costly gifts of the nobly born. A daughter of such a mother, with that mother's ever watchful and loving care, cannot but give rare promise for the future, when her position will be the greatest any woman can occupy.
A cabinet of shells and seaweed tells of pleasant sojourns of the youthful members of the family; and a number of albums contain likenesses of family and friends without number.
Princess May's sitting-room.
From a Photo. by Gunn and Stuart.
Three doors open from this room, one by which I have entered from the corridor, one opposite leading to the upper regions, and one on my left, by which I enter one of the prettiest rooms I have ever seen—and certainly, just now, the most interesting room in the house, namely, the Princess May's sitting-room.