Smyrna times., 1874-09-30


THE ARCHITECTURE OF OSBORNE
is mainly tho work of the late Prince Consort.
The palace is in the Paliadian style, and every
thing is subordinated to the necessities and
comforts of life. The building is quadrang
ular A clock tower, ninety feet high, fanks
the sea front on one hand, and flag tower,
one hundred and seven feet high, on the other |
In advance of the flag tower are the royal |
apartments, commanding an uninterrupted and
glorious view. Two extensive terraces in front
adorned with fountains, statuary and choice |
shrubs, increase the apparent altitude of the
imposing facade. These terraces descend for |
twenty-seven feet to a lovely little valley which
leads to the landing place, the bathing house, |
and the other adiuncts on the sequestered
shore. The apartments are of handsome pro-
portions and arranged most cOmmo1iously. |
The interior is, however, remarkable for its ex-
treme simplicity. The rooms are furnished in
plain mahogany, like the house of any Ordi-
nary country gentleman. Choice scul lpture,
valuable paintings, and rare brOnZes and works
of art, however, abound. When early sum-
mer has clothed Osborne in all tsverdant love
lness the Queen, though naturally OF IA ii igety,
rowing disposition, has often been known to
wish that the duties Of state never called her
away from this her favorlte residence.
THE VIRGIN QUEENS CRADLE.
The majority of the paintings in the palace
and Firth best works all here. la every
room may be noticed portrait of one or more
members of the royal family. If the artists do
not fatter their royal masters, the princes and
princesSes may have some prettnsicns to
beauty. Indeed the majority Of them have
fine figures, good compilations, and pleasant
faces. There is, however, as a rule, a marked
want of intellect of high order among them
and notably i'll Albert Edward who, in the course
OF human events, is to be the future King of
England. The greatest curiosity notice able is
g gilt cradle once belonging to Queen Elizabeth.
To what purpose the Virgin Queen put 1t was
more than any OF our party could answer.
Queen Victoria lite when in the country is
that OF an ordinary lady-always excepting the
attention she has to give to dispatches and to
the visits of members of the government. The
documents she reads with most zeSt are those
that come from the Foreign Office. 1t wa3
Prince Albert who imbued her with this pecu
liar taste. She rises early, generally about
seven, and spends the first hour or two in her
bedroom. After this she is soon GU: of doors
No gypsy could indeed be fonder o the open
air, as she spends every available moment in
exercise. In her mOrnlng walks she IS always
accompanied by one lady, generally the Prn-
cess Beatrice.
JOHN BROWN,
"the pampered mcanal," walks behind them
The Queen evidently is impressed with the
force of Lord LyttletOn saying. that " women,
like princes, find few real friends as through
good report and evil report she sticks to John
Brown, her faithful Scotch valet In these
H. rambles a stranger would never imagine the
plain woman before him was the Queen of
England. Her dresses are of the planeSt
black stuff, and not ia>hionabIy made. Her
hat is mushroom shaped, and in it there is
invariably seagull wing. This is her iavoritc
feather, but it cost her nothing, as the bird
has been shot Tor her by one Of her or 10y
a game keeper belonging to the estate. In
connection with these feathers "A story was re-
ceutly circulated about the royal household.
A well known Scotchman was sent out tC
shoot gull. His visit to the Medina he
managed TO protract considerably. Nlctoria
repeatedly called for him, but he was not forth
coming At length he appeared, aud wa,
ushGred into the royal presence, where he re
ceived IA warm rebuke Nothing daunted, he
replied 4" Wee if one is to be tied to an hou
or twa, might as well nae gang at a Hi
- audacity triumphed, and he was simply direc
ted to prepare for the morning drive. Th'
only thing that marks the approach of royalty
. here is the clnterng of an Outrider-ulways OF
a white hOrse-before the Queens carriage
This is usually Sociable, holding four, ant
drawn by two horses. The coachman ant
VI Brown are on the box. There is no gentleman
in waiting, unless the carriage is state one
drawn by lOur horses
HOW THE DAY Is SPENT
of The Queen breakfasts early and heartily
ry- Like her predecessor, Elizabeth, she manifest
he decided partiality for beefSteaks. The morn
ya ing repast over she has her letters read to he
ke- and gives Instructions to her secretary. Sh
ats very seldom writes an autograph letter. Sh
md then drives or walks out and pays visits to he
TIL labOrers and tenantry. SO accustomed ar
)ur these people to her calls and ways that sh
at inspires them with none of the awe and flute
Jur which the younger members Of the upper te
len feel when they are presented at court Tor tn
of first time. In the course of these visits an al
se, tendant carries silver canister containing tn
Ger most fragrant Bohea.
in This canister is not at all so formidable a
md the golden vessel carried before the Shah o
be- all his Journeys, and which excited muc
or comment and merrment among the LOndOneI
is during his stay in the great Babylon. Tea
fol- generally brewed twice during each round q
some one of the lodges at the gate entrance
TO the estate, and is partaken of by her Ma
.I esty with evident relish The substantial mes
'Iu ;n of the day is eaten at two o clock stat
,nr dinner at eight in the evening heInR one deVC
Iy ted chiefly to guests and courtesy. Her Ma.
- esty rttires early to rest.
,aL DOES THE QUEEN DRINKP
the This question has long agltated social circle
of in England, and has been the subject OF muc
Gus gossip and scandal both here and abrOaC
and Judged by her appetite, the Queen should
the at once acquitted Of any undue liking for win
om ut other tiEes than "across the walnuts.
,ha But, unfortunately, like Simon the Cellere
of she is best with an uncommOnIy high con
lan- pexion at times, set off with a dubious ret
res ness OF rose. No reasonable person would,
ble course attribute what may be purely scorbl
Ian tic affection to indulgence IN the feStal cup
ten but the world judges hastily, and an ungeI
in. erou5 verdict is rendered on this ground alor
and against her Majesty by very large section
iSes the community. If the Queen drinks her ST
lich cret is well kept by her dependants in an
and about Osborne. One and all say :" No to ii
Feb- asperson. Weak claret they admit, but notl
the ing more In the best circles brandy ls mel
this toned as a stumbling block. Men who Ougl
nth 10 be snnnnsed 10 know and whose mnntl