Page:The Strand Magazine (Volume 6).djvu/235

appear here and there, and riding-whips, etc., are plentiful.

Cabinet containing presentation caskets and trowels.
From a Photo. by Gunn & Stuart.
(Taken by special permission for The Strand Magazine.)

The Drawing-room, certainly the finest room in the house, comes next. From its large windows a magnificent view of the park is obtained. The concave ceiling and walls are painted in cream, with gold relief: on the walls being two fine paintings, which are immediately noticeable—George III. and his queen. The curtains are Oriental, as much as two hundred years old, and very costly. The carpet is Axminster, here and there appearing skins and rugs. There is a suite of furniture upholstered in pale blue satin, with frames of over-burnished gold; while some is covered in Beauvais tapestry, and some draped with Indian shawls, with frames of ebony. It would be interesting to know the histories of much of antiquity here; unquestionably these things were many of them the property of departed monarchs and princes, and could tell many a strange tale of bygone courtly circles.

I noticed several beautiful cabinets in this room; two of them, being of great interest, I had photographed. One is of ebony with ormolu mounts, and Sèvres plaques in door panels; it contains the caskets and trowels which have been presented to the Duchess by different institutions which she has helped by her sympathy and presence.

The other cabinet was formerly the property of Queen Charlotte; it is of Amboyna and tulip wood, beautifully inlaid, and is much prized by its present Royal owner. Then there is one standing at each side of the fire-place, given by Queen Victoria. They are of precious wood, handsomely mounted, and are full of costly curios, many of them profusely jewelled. Another—fitted with numbers of drawers—looks of James I. period; and still another I note, which must be of great value, being of inlaid pearl.

Queen Charlotte's Cabinet
From a Photo. by Gunn & Stuart.
(Taken by special permission for The Strand Magazine.)

On top of some of these cabinets is a fine display of Sèvres