Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-07-03

i SANNi%AS-ACOMS Va Nud IIlUCeSS NlctDTla
! and her brothers are upstairs, as also
are suites Of rooms which are set apart
| for visitors.
In the dressing-room Of the Princess
| Christian are many articles of much in
| terest. One, the framed certificate gain.
| ed by her Royal Highness for proficiency
| in nursing. forcibly reminds one of a
| branch of philanthropy which almost
owes its existence 10 her efforts The
| name of the Princess Christian is known
! and honored In many thousands Of Eng
p. lish homes by reason of the various phi
| lanthrop!c works with which she has
| been identified. and for years she has
| been a familiar figure at many Of the
| various functions for which the mem
| bers of the royal family are in such
continual request. Even before her mar
:, riage the Princess Helena worked as
| siduously for the peoples welfare. her
position as daughter of highlands Queen
| necessitatin her public appearance at
| quite an early age. But with all the
| objects with which she has associated
| herself, perhaps none have re-
ceived such great amount OF
l time and attention as the Royal
! British Nurses Association. AS Is well
] known, her Royal Highness Is the presi-
| dent of this body, and IL was mainly due
10 ncT 6lIOTlS Nlldl Il Ivy al thoi tci ""'
, granted in 1898, by which fully trained
nurses were enrolled in public register,
| and the baneful practice OF sending out
unqualified persons efficiently checked.
| may add that at the present moment sue
cessful branches are in existence Ill
many parts of the world. Homes of rest
| for nurses and other benehcent institu-
| tons are also in a fourishing condition,
owing 10 the indefatigable energy Oh
their royal founder. and these are con
tinually visited and helped. The certih-
cate shows that it is not as novice In
| the art of nursing that her Royal High
I ness presides over and visits these vari-
Gus institutions; for she Is fully dc-
quainted with every detail OF the work,
and is not only competent to take charge
Of a sick-room but has actually done so.
In Windso. itself there are many
movements in which the Princess Is
much interested, one OF which is the
Creche, a place where poor women, who
are forced TO help in gaining the daily
bread for their families, may leave their
young children to be fed and cared for
at a very nominal charge. Then there are
the dinners in the winter for hungry
children. At these functions her Royal
Hiehness is often present, working hard
in supplying the wants of the youngsters.
Often, too, she attends and assists in the
entertainments which are provided In
connection with what Is known as the
"Chldren's Happy Evenings For TINS
a number of ladies and gentlemen band
themselves, and provide just the sort OF
amusement that children delight in Tor
the long winter evenings, when outdoor
play Is denied them.
And still there is time found for visit
ing the poor in their own homes, not
only in Windsor, but in London. and
many receive timely help who are lack
ing the necessaries of life. AT FAIRS the
Princess has made 1t customary, AFTER
performing the opening ceremony, 10 take
charge of a stall for a time. and do
brisk trade for the charity. 1t is only
! short time since her Royal Highness pre-
sided over q bazaar at Windsor and here
she was experimenting the sales at two
stalls, the leading features Of which were
signed photographs of her Majesty at
one guinea each. Needless TO say. the
whole stock was disposed OF very quick
ly, much disappointment being felt BY
intending purchasers; but the Princess
came TO the rescue for the ultimate good
Of the charity, and. sending messenger
10 the castle, petitioned the Queen TOT
more large supply was soon forth
coming. the whole Of which were sold.
In the children's country holiday fund
the Princess Christian has always shown
very strong interest, and in connection
with the children sent by the Ragged
School Union has taken very practical
means to render helpful assistance. VI
this l have been able 10 judge for myself
by a recent visit-by permission OF her
Royal Highness-to a home OF when j
should like to speak. For some conside-
rable time there was cottage home III
the vicinity OF Cumberland Lodge 10
H. h.. N
need of the benefits which country air
and good and regular living would af-
ford. This has been established by her
Royal Highness as a result, believe, OF
an appeal made by Mr.. Kirk secretary OF
the Ragged School Union. In one Of the
Windsor papers. The Princess noticed
the appeal and Immediately took steps
for the acquisition OF suitable premises.
This cottage ultimately proved inadequate
for the requirements. and so her Royal
Highness made strong personal appeal
for the necessary funds wherewith to put
up a substantial building capable of ac-
commodating 4 few boys.
The new building was opened entirely
free from debt in the summer of 1896.
1t is situated in the billy and healthy
village Of Bishopgate, which is in the i'm
mediate vicinity OF Windsor Great Park.
l'he nearest railway station to 1t Is that
Of Egham the home Is then reached by
a pleasant drive through the country
lanes. IL is a red-brick building with
white dressings, having villa-like APP
pearance. and is surrounded by its own
kitchen gardens an orchard, and fine
playground for the boys, wherein are
erected gymnastic bars incidental to
school grounds.
/ found a number OF cripples in the
home at the time of my visit--early In
the new year-for the Princess had, from
the erection OF the new building. been
strongly DESTROYS Of keeping II open all
the year round. or couse. boys are
only sent during the summer months
that is, from the beginning OF Nay to
the end of october--for the fcrtnight's
holiday; but there are so many crippled
and sickly children IN London 70 whom
a stay OF three or four weeks here means
so much. that there Is never any lack
OF occupants for the winter term. The
choice Of boys rests with the Ragged
school Union, but the Princess Ii respsn-
slble for the home and its maintenance.
There is. Of course. . resident m2sler
af1AA Y ~ E/Xhoa'