The Idler Magazine, Volume III, April 1893 | Page 4

be thrown open

to admit the air, and yet all intrusive insects kept at a distance. The
Royal herd generally consists of about fifty cows when they are all in
milk, principally shorthorns and Jerseys, twenty-five of each. Last year
there were fifty-four cows in milk, but the number usually averages
about fifty.
The recesses in the dairy walls are filled with lovely old Crown Derby
and Worcester, together with a few Oriental china plates and dishes.
There is also a dish bearing the inscription, "Chamberlain, Worcester,
Manufacturer to His Royal Highness the Prince Regent." Close to the
dairy, stands an apartment devoted to churns and huge milk-cans. Each
milk-can bears the following inscription on the top:--
[Illustration: V.R. Home Park, Windsor.]
After exhausting the wonders of the Royal dairy, we pass out into the
sunshine once more, but, before leaving the shrubbery, notice two little
monuments to the memory of long-deceased favourites, the inscriptions
on which are as follows:--
[Illustration]
+-----------------------------------------------------------------+ | | | BOY, | |
Died February 20, 1862, | | Aged five years. | | The favourite and
faithful dog of the Queen and Prince Consort. | | |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------+
[Illustration]
+-----------------------------------------------------------------+ | | | BOZ, | | | |
The favourite Scottish terrier of the Duchess of Kent, to whom | | he
had been given in 1857 by the Queen and Prince Consort. | | | | On
March 16, 1861, he was taken back, and from that time till | | he died,
Oct. 26, 1864, remained the faithful dog of the | | Queen. | | |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------+
Surely, two touching and blameless little records!

Leaving these pets to their well-earned rest, we walk along the
trimly-kept private road leading to the Royal kennels. Here, when Her
Majesty drives along, she can see the Spanish oxen and other pets as
they come up to the railings and peer curiously over, the long horns of
the oxen especially making a formidable show which is entirely belied
by their peaceful disposition.
At the Royal kennels we are received by Mr. Hugh Brown, the manager,
and his able assistant, Mr. Hill, and shown into the apartment which is
sometimes occupied by Her Majesty when visiting the kennels. It is a
quaint, medium-sized room, with old oak rafters and oak furniture,
comfortable chairs and foot-rests predominating. The curtains are a
warm, deep red, the carpet to match, and a couple of little oak tables
occupy the centre of the room. But the unique feature about this
apartment is the number of dog portraits on the walls. There are dogs of
every race, shape and colour; dogs large and small; dogs lying down or
standing up; dogs in oils; dogs in watercolours; all of them labelled
with the animal's name and the artist who painted it. One or two special
favourites have a lock of their hair let into the woodwork of the frame.
[Illustration: Sleeping compartment & Yard in front.]
Outside, the tiled walk called the "Queen's Verandah" is covered over
as a protection against the weather. Her Majesty is accustomed to walk
up and down here, and inspect the various occupants. There are several
dogs in every compartment. Each front yard measures ten feet by
twelve; the sleeping compartment is ten feet by ten. The wall in front
stands nearly three feet high, and has a rail on the top. Each yard is
paved with red and blue tiles. In the sleeping compartments, which are
warmed by hot-water pipes, are benches raised about a foot from the
ground. Facing the "Collie Court," as it is called, is a large paddock
which contains the bath--a curious aperture in the ground, with sloping
sides, so that a dog can run down, swim through the middle, and walk
up again on the other side. The sides of this bath are lined with little
round stones. There is also an umbrella-shaped structure of wood,
under which the dogs can lie and sun themselves after the bath. Near
the road is a curious looking seat called "The Apron Piece," with a

railing in front. The Queen sometimes sits here and watches the
gambols of the dogs when they are let loose in the paddock.
[Illustration: The Apron Piece.]
There does not appear to be any hard and fast rule as to the housing of
the dogs. It all depends how they agree with each other. For instance, in
one compartment will be found a collie, Spitz, and dachshund; in the
next, three Spitzes and a pug; then two Skye terriers, three pugs, one
dachshund; then two lovely white collies; then one solitary collie
whose coat is out of order, and who comes up with big, beseeching
eyes, as if imploring us to put an end to her solitude. The most
attractive sight is,