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china, Bleu du roi and Bleu de Vincenne. On the marble mantel is a time-piece by Mignuel, some Sèvres and ormolu candelabra, and two bronze equestrian ornaments. Palms, ferns, and flowers flourish in Oriental and Dresden vases; handpainted screens are rich in variety. Buhl and ormolu tables are plentiful, and contain costly curios of every description. Some valuable mirrors are much to be admired, having frames with pebbled fruit in relief. There are some fine ormolu candelabra, mounted on ebony and ormolu pedestals; and a bronze bust of Charles I., which must not be overlooked. I spent some considerable time in front of a glass-topped table, the contents of which are unique and priceless: medals, coins, orders and cases, showing engraving and chasing of the rarest, the articles themselves being of purest gold, and in many cases studded with precious jewels.
One corner of the room has a specially artistic appearance; from the ceiling floating a gilded angel, supporting hangings of Indian shawls, arranged with very fine effect.
A magnificent grand piano, by Steinway and Sons, occupies a conspicuous position. This is known as a "No. 2 Grand"; it was presented to Her Royal Highness the Duchess by the inhabitants of Richmond and vicinity on the occasion of her silver wedding. The cost of the instrument was 225 guineas, the selection being left to Signor Paolo Tosti. Having had an opportunity of hearing its tones in the room where it is standing, I can here testify to its beauty and power.
The Duchess of Teck's sitting-room.
Photo. by Gunn & Stuart.
In a corner of the room, opposite the piano, a door opens into the Blue-room, the private sitting-room of the Duchess. It is luxuriously furnished, yet has a very cosy homelike appearance. The ceiling is painted in the palest of blue, relieved with cream and gold, with walls in dark blue and gold dado. On the walls are some good portraits; the Duke of Teck, the late Duchess of Cambridge, and the Princess May, by Long—a silver wedding gift—being the chief of them. There is a large and very fine collection of miniatures, some French clocks, some costly fans and mirrors, together with hosts of curios, rich and rare. Sèvres china, ormolu and Dresden candelabra, stand on choice cabinets. Here, again, I notice some of the furniture is upholstered in Beauvais tapestry, while some is in pale blue or sage, showing up well against the dark background of the walls. On one chair may be seen a handsome cushion—evidently presentation—stuffed with rose leaves, and hand-embroidered, a verse of Scripture beautifully worked: "And the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the Nations," over this appearing the name of Her Royal Highness. Tables are numerous, but two are of special note, one being the writing table of the Duchess. It is crowded with correspondence in neat piles, the entire arrangement being evidence of inherent method and order. The other table, I note, has a glass-case top, filled with medals and souvenirs. On a small inlaid table near, my attention is