The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-09-23
sAxDRINGHaM's BEAUTIES.
A Visit 10 the Country-seat Of the
Prince OF wales.

folk, England. Inc correspondent WTltcs !.
A short walk through a winding avenue
Of rare old elms brought us in view OF a
miniature cascide and ripping stream OF
water, down which snowy swans and glossy
ducks were winding their way. Then the
path curved about through plots OF bril-
liant flowers and handsome shrubs until a
view was gained OF the residence OF the iu-
ture King OF England, and in which he
spends more than hall his time. The brst
feeling was one Of disappointment, for
there is nothing paIatial or imposing ABOUT
The place; but a closer inspection produced
a more pleasing impression from the very
lack OF pretension that characterized 1t in
side and out. Except that 1t was much
larger, the building, in style.. might be
taken for the house OF any wealthy gentle
man.
The architecture may be characterized as
a modified form Of the EliZabethan. and the
material used is red brick, with Kelton or
light stone dressings. The front Is broken
in three bays, facing upon a gently-sloping
terrace; and one long and narrow wing at
the east end OF The building, green with ivy
and golden with yellew roses, proved to be
an American bowling-alley. When the at
tendapt explained this he added, with great
simplicity. "His Higbness is very fond OF
everything from the land OF big cheeses.
ma'am." "And why OF big cheeses ="
asked your correspondent.
ooh" was the reply, "that Is what we
all call America, because the biggest cheese
we ever saw in England came from there,
a present to the Queen from the makeis.
who had It there for some exhibition, and
with il came a paper giving the pedigree OF
the COWS whica furnished the milk. Her
Majesty liked it very much, but they said
when She wanted some she always ordered
the spedigree cheese"
Directly in front OF the main entrance on
the terrace, were two enormous granite
lions from Japan, and further TO the night q
large pagoda shelteriug an exceedingly ND
ecus Chinese Joss, OF costly metal, which
was presented TO the Prince. by Admiral
Keppel. The approach TO this was formed
by an avenue OF fr-trees, which at the nrst
glimpse appeared 10 be planted over lnnu-
merabie graves; for in front OF each tree
was a small funerallookiug tablet, covered
with black lettering. Closer inspection re-
yealed that these tablets merely gave the
name of the ilustrious personages who nad
PLANTED these trees, for 1t seems there is
pleasant custom at Sandringbam which de-
mands OF every distinguished visitor an ad-
dition to the avenue.
TIE ELEGANT PARTEURE,
the romantic lake, rocky caves, and Alpine
garden, all the perfection OF art, were so
arranged as TO break the monotony OF vel
yetv turf and stately woods. Returning 10
the hall we note the large French WINDOWS
are framed in the green and wnlte CDlnese
myrtle, again encircled by pleasing con-
trast OF dark, rich ivy, and frequently ior
third time by the crimson honeysucRle or
deep-red climbing roses. Pauslng at the
entrance can be read on q tablet IN the IN
ner yesiibule and 10 old English characters
this inscription "This house was Dulii
by Albert Edward, Prince OF Wales, ana
Alexandra, his wife, in the year OF our
Lord 1870" This quaint inscription pre-
mares one for the home atmosphere OF the
interior. -, -.
Passing into the family parlor, with its
beautifully. polished floor OF inlald WOODS
nartially covered by Persian rugs and FUR
skins, the eyefalls upon coal-olack "Iop'
sv.v life-size. in ebony, and holding cIrd-
trav. The figure and attitude Is so natural
and the expression so characteristic, that the
effect is life-Iike, though our portly guide
pointed out with tinge OF contempt the
American importation. Just over the man
door Is the grand but fierce head OF the
CbiIlingbam bull, shot by the Prince in 1872,
with the following lines from Scott beneath
Fierce on the hunter's quivtr'd band
He rolls his eyes of swarthy glow,
spurns with black boof and horn the sand
And tosses high ais IN ine OF snow.
This apartment, in richness OF furniture,
would bear but poor comparison with those
for similar use in the homes OF Chicaso
milIionaiIes like Perry FL. Smith or Cyrus
III. Mccormick, yet has an air oil simplicity
and homeliness that carries a peculiar
charm OF its own.
From under group OF palm-fcrns we see
two miniature caDnons, a present from tne
late Emperor Napoleon to the royal chill
dren. On an ivory table stands handsome
casket, containing an address OF congratu-
latIon from the Sandringbam tenantry on
the safe return Of the Prince from India,
and various articles Of virtu and curiosties
gathered by the Prince during his travels
are scattered about. The ceiling, or rather
the roof, is OF .fretted lakewood, and the
walls hung with fine oll.pantings,
most OF them family portraits, and In
Guiding pictures OF the Queen, the
Prince and Princess, their children, and
the King and Queen OF Denmark. The
other apartments it would take too much
space to describe beyond mere mention.
Among the most pleasing are the library, in
pale blue aud light oak; the Princess
private morning room, In delicate neutral
tlnts, and tastefully decorated with rare
china, crayons, and panels; on the floor a
superb tiger.skin, trophy OF hunt In
India, and a patchwork quilt, made by the
children OF the Sandringham school for the
Princess.
The drawing-room, in which the prevail
ing tint Is delicate salmon, has hand
somely-irescoed ceiling. some French mir
rors, two or three exquisite gr0upes OF
statuary, among them Nine. Jerchau's
" Bathing Girls" almost hidden In bower
OF exotics, and another OF two charming
children, also by Jericbau, on marble
pedestal. The principal objecis OF interest
in the dining-Toom are several OF Landseers
beautiful studies In animal life, and full.
length portraits OF the Princesses Louise
and Alice. Then there is the smoking
room, the gun-room, and OF special note,
the Princess boudoir and dressing room.
II was In the latter that the Prince lay du-
ring his serious illness, turned over the his
tronic " new leaf" aud pulled himself along
the weary road OF eouyalescence by q tra-
peze suspended over his head, the hook for
which stillremains there.
Passing through the long bathrooms 10
the conservatory the latter isfound stocked
with wealth OF rare exotics, blossoming
plants, all sorts OF new ferns and palms,
and graceful Towering vines. Then, leay-
Ing the residence, we walk once more down
the smooth paths, and turning 10 the LEFT
come to the picturesque Bachelors Cot
tsge,o where, said the guide, with
merry twinkle Ia bis eye, as we viewed