Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-11-10
QUEEN WcroRlA'S GARDEN.
Memorial Trees and House That the
Prince of Wales Built.

Ouean Victoria considers herSelf really
at home in the private garden OF osborne
only. For in this little corner OF the Isle
of Wight alone does the sovereign. whose
possessions cover one seventh OF the
globe, have powers absolute. Elsewhere,
and especially in the parks OF the royal
residences, she is under the restraint OF
the officials of constitutional monarchy.
The Commissioner of Public Buildings
and Works treats the Crown as an institu-
tion of which the rights are strictly limit
ed. Her Majesty cannot cut tree with
out the consent of the proper Official. 10
escape this vigilance the Queen has bought
in the neighborhood OK her castle az Us
borne some acres of ground where she may
have a gardener not subject to changes OF
administration. She has even gone so Tar
as To disregard for once her position OF
poIitical impartiality and has chosen
former gardener of Lord Beacons-
field, a man accustomed to the grow
inc of Tory flowers. But any imprudences
which he might commit will not easily
reach the public. For while 1t IL easy 70
get permission to roam about the grounds
of the castle, this little garden 10 carefully
shut off from visitors. A correspondent
of an English paper recently had the good
fortune 10 get into the Swiss chalet, which
her Majesty has made into O family mu-
scum, and TO walk about the aisles OF trees
where each tree commemorates an episode
in the history of the royal house. and re-
calls day of happiness or sorrow-
WOODEN PLAY-HoUsE.
A short distance from the entrance TO
this priyats garden Is q wooden play
honse. buiit with their own hands by the
Prince of Wales and the Duke OF Edin-
burgh In 1857. The heir TO the crown has
missed his vocation. He clearly mad In
him the making of notable carpenter.
Even to the present day the Prince Is very
proud of his work, and whenever ne visits
Osborne he goes straightway TO see II the
play- house is still standing. Not q nail
has fallen, not q plank has sprung. Ihe
house after thirty -four years Is as soiid as
at first.
In the little house are preserved the
playthings of the royal childen. Zach OF
the children had little carriages OF his own,
and all are here preserved with the initials
of the owners upon them. ~
The Duke OF Edinburgh was JACK OF All
trades. He was carpenter with nis oider
brother. mason with his younger brother.
the Duke of Connaught. The miniature
fortress they built together IL still pre-.
served in this same garden. 1t IL made OF
stone and brick, and Is at least strong
enough 10 brave the seasons. The Princes
worked under the eyes Of their father. who
was trying to teach them the art OF forth
hcation.
This fortress has undergone some as
saults. The Prince of Wales haying. his
FIVE sisters and the younger OF bis pro
thers under his command attacked Its
garrison, the Dukes of EdinbIrgh and
Connaught. Almost always the heir APP
parent carried the parapet ald drove tne
two Dukes into oasemate, where tney
had plenty Of arms and whence hunger
alone could dislodge them.
Nowadays the children of the Duchess
OF Albany aud of the Princess Beatrice
attack and defend the fort which their pa
rents, their uncles, and their aunts have so
often captured with great valor after long
and glorious sieges.
The day of her oldest daughters we'd
ding Victoria took sprig Of myrtle from
the brides bouquet and planted 1t IN this
garden II rooted itself SO firmly that
now II Is grown into . great bush. Every
time one of the grandchildren marries the
myrtle bush at Osborne is called into re-
quisition.