Page:The Strand Magazine (Volume 6).djvu/237
drawn to a silver horse-shoe, in an open velvet case, this being commemorative of the first Horse Show held at Richmond in 1892.
Portraits—chiefly family ones—are in every direction, some of the groups having most interesting associations. A crystal case of ancient jewellery must be of immense value, as must also be the number of tasteful vases here displayed. One, of some considerable size, has some hand-painted bars of music shown on it, being passages from works of Verdi, Tosti, and Donizetti. Very much more might be said of this pretty apartment; but, as there are one or two more rooms demanding brief notice, I leave it, and proceed to the Bird-room: this taking its name from a very pretty paper on the walls, showing birds of all sorts and colours. This room is used as a breakfast-room; but the family, when alone, often dine here also. In it are some "Landseers" and other pictures, together with a number of old prints, some as far back as 1501. An ordinary dining-table stands in the centre, most of the chairs and couches being of basketwork. The room opens on to a pretty Oriental balcony, from whence is a flight of steps leading down to green sward and flowery bed. On this balcony the family often take tea when the weather will not allow of it being taken under the favourite copper beech. The walls are covered with Indian matting; numbers of cosy or capacious basket chairs, and tables of the same, comprise the furniture, while from the ceiling depend baskets of flowers and creeping plants. Very artistic is this pretty balcony, and I am not surprised when I hear of its being much frequented.

Part of the Dining-Room.
From a Photo. by Gunn & Stuart.
(Taken by special permission for The Strand Magazine.)
Now I wend my way to the Dining-room, a room which has lately seen some distinguished gatherings round its dining-table. It is a fine, handsome apartment, lofty and light, with panellings of red bordered in gold moulding. On the walls are some grand paintings: Frederick, King of Bohemia, by Mierevelt; Elizabeth, Queen of Bohemia, by Van Dyck; the three children of Henrietta Maria, by Sir Peter Lely; and the Duchess of Cambridge. A good photograph of the latter is here presented; it is, as you will see, hanging over the sideboard, on which are some very fine pieces of china. On either side are some beautifully worked screens, standing usually, however, on either side of the fireplace. In the centre of the room hangs a massive lamp, in the place of the chandeliers generally seen; White Lodge, owing to its isolated position, not being supplied with gas. Heavy crimson curtains, Turkey carpets of the same hue, and red morocco-covered furniture make up a warm, rich effect, while flowers here, as everywhere, cast around their brightness and fragrance.
The Green Corridor must have but brief notice, though one might spend hours in seeing it; it is a long, winding place with ceiling and walls painted in the most beautiful shades, from which it takes its name. It is literally full of things of beauty: inlaid cabinets, Oriental rugs, tiger skins, plush and