Page:The Strand Magazine (Volume 6).djvu/232

Charming is a weak word applied to such perfection of art arrangement as you here behold. White is predominant: the ceiling and walls are painted white, relieved with terra-cotta, with shelf and projection of cream and gold beading about one-third of distance from floor; the carpet has a white, velvety centre, with Oriental bordering, and the furniture is entirely of white wood: baskets and vases of flowers, palms and ferns, give an exceedingly picturesque effect to the whole. On the walls above projection you will find a portrait of Her Majesty and the Prince Consort, and a copy of the famous picture "Trust." Over the mantel is a handsome white-framed mirror, with beautifully painted virginia creeper, in autumn tints, running artistically over the glass, the mantel under it being literally crowded with photos and curiosities of all descriptions; the shelf around the room, together with the lower walls, being decorated in like manner.

Near the French windows stands a pretty writing table, and here the Princess has been in the habit of sitting to conduct her correspondence with her numerous relations and friends. This, as well as every available article or space in the room, is crowded with photos, every one bearing name of original across the front in the owner's handwriting. The Royal Family, of course, are largely represented. On the table there are also a number of useful and pretty articles in silver and tortoiseshell—doubtless many of them are souvenirs—and the entire orderly arrangement of the whole testifies strongly to inculcation of methodical tidiness from early youth upwards. On the other side of the room is a glass-fronted white cabinet. Of this I take a somewhat lengthened survey, and well am I repaid for so doing. Every inch of the inside and outside shelves is covered with the most charming odds and ends in the shape of jewellery, albums, birthday books, silver and gold-topped bottles, fans, silver-framed hand mirrors, card cases, silver photo frames, and choice vases—birthday presents most of them, and placed and kept under the special care of the Princess herself.

Cabinet in Princess May's room.
From a Photo. by Gunn and Stuart.
(Taken by special permission for The Strand Magazine.)

A neat and pretty white book-case contains a number of works by writers of note, such as Racine, Carlyle, George Eliot, Molière, McCarthy, the Globe Encyclopædia, while poets are represented by Longfellow, Scott, Coleridge, Tennyson, and Herbert. Very evidently, the mind of the young Princess is well stored with useful and varied information; nor am I surprised to find evidences of sincere Christian feeling in the presence of such books as "Captain Hedley Vicars," "English Hearts and English Hands," and "A Hero of the Battle of Life"; each of these and other similar works bearing signs of frequent use.

A comfortable couch, with an Oriental covering, is almost hidden by a beautifully hand-painted screen, and another fan-shaped one containing photos. The back of a luxurious sofa is met by the back of an