The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1874-04-03
| d Cradle and Carriage.
REMARKABLE ROYAL RELICS.

successfully wore the crown after him, is
the cradle of his youngest daughter, Queen
Elizabeth
1t is of English oak, very massive, with
richly carved panels, six in num5er-two on
each side-One of the same height composing
| the foot, and a much higher one under the
| head-board. The length of the cradle is
| three feet two inches, and the height, to the
| top of the ornaments, four feet At the
! loot is q large shield, with two cherubs sup
! porting the royal crown, and in the centre
| the initials /" E. R. namely, Elizabeth
| Regina. The whole of this ornamental work
IS OF silver, carved and engraved in quaint
! devices, that look strangely enough in our
| day of light and graceful ornaments At
| tie head is the - Prince of Wales - plume
or crest, which is always the insignia of the
| reigning mOnarch's eldest son, or daughter
! where there is no son. Henry VIII, having
no male heir at the time Elizabeth was born,
she was created Princess of Wales by her
father; but her right to the title was set
| aside when her halE-brother Edward was
! born.
The crest ut the head OF the cradle, and
the ornamental work surrounding it, is richly
! gilded, and towering more than IL foot above
the roof of the head-piece, presents a very
imposing appearance. l think it must have
looked very grand to the laughing, chubby
checked babe that lay below it, especially if
! she was as foGd of the display in her infancy
! rs she was when grown up.
Q,e n
| Elizabeth had the weakness TO delight In
fine clothes, and be very vain of her personal
! appearance. To such an extent was this
carried that she oouId never forgive any one
about her foI being more beautiful than
! herself. Bat this was after she grew up,
and suppose the dimpled babe, as she lay
in this curious cradle, was far more interest
ed in the bright and silver ornaments about
her, than in admiring her own tiny form
and features.
In l5ll, when the little princess vas six
years old, and had outgrown her costly crc-
die, it was presented by the king to a family
who munifcently entertained him while
holding his court at York. Tais royal
relic, now nearly three and half centuries
old, is still carefully treasured by the Rip
pons of Wateryille, who are lineally descend
ed from the family 10 whom the cradle was
given. 1t is an heirloom of the house, of
which they are very proud, as memorializing
the visit Of the king and his court. It is
kept in 4 room fitted up in great state, and
is shown to visitors with evident pleasure.
Bat quaint and curious as is this royal
cradle of so long ago, [ saw, in England, a
carriage that interested me far more, It
was the celebrated and curious military car
riage of the great Napoleon, in which he
made the campaign of Russia, and that con-
veyed him to the coast on his first exile. 1t
was also used by the great warrior at Eiba.
In it he returned to Paris on his restoration
to the throne, and it was this that bore him
to the fatal field of Waterloo, where ended
his wonderful military career.
The carriage was captured on the evening
of the Battle of Waterloo, and sent by the
officers who took it to London, where it was
purchased by the Government by Mr.. Bull
lock for the enormous sum of $50, 900. It's
exterior is very much like modern travelling
carriage, the color dark-blue, bordered with
gold, and the imperial arms emblazoned on
the panels of the doors. All the panels are
bullet-proof, and that at the lower part of
the back is so arranged as to be let down for
the purpose of removing articles of baggage
! without disturbing the occupant.
} The doors of the carriage have locks and
l bolts; the blinds behind the windows open
: and shut by means of springs, and may be
. closed so as to form barrier almost impreg-
= nable. Outside the windows are roller-blinds
j of canvas, designed to exclude dampness,
! and the light, when desirable
The wheels, springs, and tires are of pro-
= digious strength, and the pole is constructed
q as Il lever that keeps the carriage level on
every kind of road. In front there is great
projection of the body of the carriage, In
order to make room for inside conveniences,
as well as to throw the drivers seat so far
. forward that he can get no view of the
interior, while those inside can see both the
, road and the horses distinctly.
t There is lamp at each corner of the roof
and also one at the back, capable of brilliantly
lighting up the interior of the coach Bu
II is of the inside made to serve as office
II he'd and dressing room, kitchen and dining
. room. that wish to tell you mainly.
d The seat is divided in the middle, givint
the appearance of two easy arm-chalrs, fur
% pished with springs and cushions, and tn
u daintiest of foot-stools. On one side hang
70 q large silver chronometer, of elaborate
Of workmanship, and close to the seat holste
Of with a pair of double-barreled pistols Will
ID on the opposite door are two more holster
M containing pistols of larger size. In tn
rnper portion of the front are many smalle
is compartments for books, maps, and telo
or scopes; and below the ceiling, is silke
a network. in which were found several article
u of personal convenience.
We will suppose the great man to ha7
inst arisen at his usual early hour, an
:ohout to make his toilet. lie touches
spring. and Immediately outspre"ds betoi
him a sort of light shelf, answering tn
ed purpose of a wa<hs'and' on which which are r"sI ;
and pitcher, soap anu t1wlS' tooth ana ma