Page:The Strand Magazine (Volume 6).djvu/238

hand-painted screens, malachite and ormolu caskets, ormolu and tortoise-shell time-pieces, a large number of enamels and miniatures, paintings and old prints; buhl and ormolu tables, and numbers of baskets and stands containing a perfect wealth of flowers. It is here that the Duchess likes to receive her visitors, and here is her favourite seat near one of the many windows looking out on one of the prettiest parts of the grounds. These same grounds are well worth a visit, the Duke taking a special pride in their arrangement. Turn which way you may, something uncommonly picturesque meets the eye. Several times I saw something amusing, too, both here and from the drawing-room windows. It goes without saying that just at the time of my visit—immediately before the eventful 6th of July—White Lodge was very much a centre of attraction. Mr. and Mrs. John Bull and family drove out in waggonette and trap to see the place; hence it was that, on account of the shrubs, encircling the grounds being dense and high, one was continually seeing heads bobbing up and down like jacks in a box. It was possible to look over the hedge by standing up on the seats of the carriage; so the very utmost was made of the opportunity, with amusing results as above.

A family group.
From a Photo. by Gunn & Stuart.

When I drive away from this most pleasant of Royal houses, I am conscious of having been where a family, at once united and affectionate, are almost dreading the ordeal of the first parting. Bright and brilliant as the future appears, the beloved daughter and adored sister will never again be the life and sunshine of the home as she has been, and it is but natural that her absence will cause a void that can never be filled. The family loss, however, is the country's gain; for a Princess is coming to us who has received the wise training and counsel of an English home; who has passed her youthful days in the midst of the people over whom one day she may be called to reign, and who has already gained their good-will and respectful affection, by the many good works in which she has assisted her illustrious mother.