New-York tribune., 1901-01-25
THE QUEEN IN PRIVA TIE LIFE.
A CLOSE RANGE STUDY BY MEMBER
OF THE ROYAL HOUSEHOLD.

If you stand in the Long Walk facing Windsor
Castle and look to the extreme right you will see
on the first floor Of the Victoria Tower one large
oriel window That is the principal window OF the
Queens private sitting If you look little
further to the right you will the same level
smaller window which is that OF Her Majesty's
dressing room If you stand at the extreme south
corner of the East Terrace and face the castle you
will see two windows the first floor of the Vic
toria Tower. The one your left you will guess
rightly to be the second window of the Queens
dressing room. The one on the right, and small
window round the corner, facing due north.
those of Her Majestys bedroom No amount OF in
terest bribery is ever likely to get you nearer
view of this suite 1t is of all parts of the castle
the one sacred spot to which nothing but the
Queens personal command will gain you an
entrance and even then probably further than
the private audience chamber. which is not one OF
the rooms which have enumerated being in the
private occupation of Her Majesty.
But If you will follow me in the spirit 1 will try
10 give you some knowledge of the immediate sur
roundings of the Queen in her home at Windsor.
which you may take be typical OF her other
abodes. AT the far end of the quadrangle. in the
southeastern corner. the line of architecture is
broken by the inner side of the Victoria Tower.
which from machicolated battlements TO base
hangs the sidewalk and forms a portico beneath
which the sovereign. hidden even from the eyes
OF her own domestics. ascends to descends from
her carriage. Up two shallow steps and through
heavy wooden doors panelled in glass lies the outer
HdlI II Is tail ana OctasOn IN Snape Inc rlOS OF
the Gothic rods lightly touched with gold. but
the prevailing tint is a creamy white. Ths inner
doors, which again of oak. lined with gold and
pierced with glass panels. fanked either side
by a fireplace set In deep emorasures- A huge gray
marble vase. supported by bronzed Cupids. and
wreathed with flowers in lacquered bronze, stands
at either mantelpiece. Three steps lead to the
inner hall, from where starts the Queens private
life. a well arranged apartment In oak, gold and
crimson upholstery Beneath the light OF an Empire
lpnrar tn IIal lgIoe
staircase. which divides at the head of the first
flight Its white and gold balustrade OF Gothic de-
sign. its crimson velvet handrai and soft pile car
pet lead straight to the Queens private apart
ments which are officially numbered.
To right and left of the large double doors which
give access to the Queens private apartments are
two large pictures the 'Betrothal OF Prince Henry
OF Prussia and THE Jubilee Service West
minister Abbey: excellent portraits OF the Earl Of
Beaconsield and the Marquis of Salisbury and
statue OF Edward VI under handsome Gothic
canopy OF white stone.
PRIVATE AUDIENCE CHAMBER.
Before coming to all the treasures contained in
Her Majesty's sitting ROOM dressing room and bed
room. 1t may be we'll in passing to look into her
private audience chamber. where she has received
all the great men and women OF the world. and
the walls OF which. II they have ears have listened
10 many wise words and secrets more sacred than
uttered IN the most closely tiled Masonic
lodge. The apartment is not a very large one.
though its slightly domed ceiling is lofty. The fur
niture and hangings not very remarkable.
though sufficiently rich and appropriate for a
queens reception room. Yet the first glance round
the chamber must convince the most ignorant that
II within It's four walls treasures that are
almost priceless in their rarity and beauty. The
double doors of golden satnwood. inlaid with
the finest marqueterie. and ornamented by large
handles finger plates OF beautifully worked gilt
bronze The wall space is horizontally divided into
four OF which the lower division or dado. Is Of the
exquisite marqueterie and the frieze upper part
Is elegantly and lightly decorated with the
insignia and figure OF ST. George.
Directly beneath this graceful frieze hangs a line
ot masterpieces from the brush OF Cainsborough
that for historical interest and artistic merit
may well be deemed beyond all value. They
fifteen IN number. and portraits OF George III.
Queen Charlotte and their numerous family OF sons
and daughters Each portrays the head and bust
OF the royal sitter and each Is set in oval
mount within n handsome square gold frame. No
IN the world but the Queen can see in SO small
a space complete and noble a collection of one
generation OF ancestors For many years these
fifteen Gainsboroughs held undisputed pictorial pos
OF the walls OF Her Ma1esty's private audi
ence chamber But since the Queen has ceased 20
spend any appreciable portion OF the year Buck
ingham Palace Wnterhalter's charming studies OF
her nine children have been brought from there and
hung under their powdered and patched forebears.
These nine portraits are in circular frames. and
show the little Princes and Princesses really
profusion OF curling hair. The Princess Royal (th-
Empress Frederick OF Germany and the Prince OF
Wales have the handsomest OF the sweet cherub
faces; but the little Princess Alice wears a very
lovable expression while Prince Leopolds delicate
features betray the fact OF his constitutional deli
cacy.
Directly beneath these most interesting family
portraits is a closely set line OF glass-fronted
cases set panel wise into the walls. They contain
an extraordinary Observation-Disclosures. medals.
enamels medallions and cameos-which is consid-
cred the finest Of its kind in the world. Almost
every face known to fame is to be found in this
great collection OF rarties while every form OF
ting in Jewels or chased metal work has been en-
pIoyed as surroundings for these treasures. This
most extraordinary mural collection is crowned by
two very massive glass topped show tables which
stand on richly gilt legs either side OF the big
double doors, and contain the very valuable col
lection OF unset gems. historical relics carved
stones and various curios known the Royal
Gems"
An inspection OF such truly magnificent treasures
during the moments Of waiting for audience
rather discounts to connoisseur's eye the fur
niture of the apartment. Round the walls are
placed several huge couches. all very comfortable
and all covered with the same rich damask that
stands a table OF satinwood highly polished and
wh ad e9 10 o9 s s eS as not
private audience with the Queen results in great
formal way From the centre Of the ceiling hangs
a fine chandelier OF cut crystal. and beneath It
stands a large table inlaid with delicately coored
marbles. The only ornaments on 1t are white
marble bust or the Prince Consort and quaint
flower vase round which snake is entwined.
A THERMOMETER IN EVERY ROOM
The high mantelpiece. like all those in the castle
is of the unrest white marble, carved in a very airy
design and supported by noble figures In high relief
1t is surmounted by a mirror and a sufficiently
handsome clock and vases Of marble and ormolu.