The Strand Magazine, Volume V, Issue 28, April 1893 | Page 6

her friends with the "cup that
cheers," often, too, cutting bread and butter and cake with her own fair
hands. Moreover, the same hands have often made the butter that is
used--as each of the ladies of the family is skilled in dairy management,
and capable of turning out a good honest pat of creamy Norfolk. Merry
times they have had in this cottage, arrayed in apron and sleeves, doing
the real work, not merely giving directions.
You would not be in any of the villages long before you saw some of
the children attending some one of the various schools, clad in their
scarlet and Royal blue; they look very comfortable and picturesque.
There is a first-rate technical school, in addition to the ordinary ones of
each village. The first was founded by the Princess herself, and in each
of them Her Royal Highness and her children take a deep interest; often
visiting them, taking classes, and asking questions. These schools, then,
are shown you this afternoon; and, as a matter of course, you proceed
from there to the Working Men's Club--one of which is established in
each village. These are open to men above the age of fourteen.[A]
Billiards, bagatelle, draughts, etc., are provided, and there is a good
stock of newspapers and books. Refreshments may be obtained of good
quality, and for a small outlay; and everything is done that can be done
to make the men comfortable. Does it keep them from the public-house?
you ask. Well--there is not such a thing known as a public-house on the
Prince's estate. A man can get his glass of ale at the club--good in

quality and low in figure--but he cannot get enough to send him home
the worse for coming; so drunkenness is unknown in the villages.
[A] Small men; but is an actual extract from the printed rules hanging
in the clubs.
On Sunday morning everybody goes to the little church of St. Mary
Magdalene, in the park. The Prince and Princess set the example by
their regular and punctual attendance--the Princess and ladies generally
driving, the Prince and gentlemen walking by private footway. A quiet,
peaceful spot it is, entered by a lych-gate and surrounded by a small
"God's acre." If you are wise, you have come early enough to look
round. Simplicity is stamped on everything, there not being a single
imposing monument there. Several stones have been erected by the
Prince in memory of faithful servants of the household, and there are
also several placed there by the former proprietors of the estate. To
what you are most attracted is the resting-place of the third Royal son.
No costly sepulchre, but a simple grassy mound, surrounded by gilt
iron railings with a plain headstone, recording the name and date of
birth and death of the infant Prince, and the words "Suffer little
children to come unto Me" added.
The church itself is of ancient date, and has been twice restored and
enlarged by the Prince. It has a font of early times, and some half-dozen
stained glass windows. The Prince has caused several monuments,
busts, etc., to be placed there, conspicuous being busts to the late
Princess Alice and the Emperor Frederick, a medallion to the late Duke
of Albany, a stained glass window to the infant Prince, and monuments
to the Revs. W. L. Onslow and G. Browne. The most noticeable of
anything there, however, is a very handsome brass lectern, placed by
the Princess as a thank-offering for the recovery of the Prince from his
dangerous illness of typhoid fever. The event is within the memory of
most of us, and needs only a brief notice to recall the national anxiety
that was displayed on the occasion. The lectern bears the following
inscription: "To the glory of God. A thank-offering for His mercy, 14th
December, 1871. 'When I was in trouble, I called upon the Lord, and
He heard me.'"

The space for worshippers is limited, and is generally quite filled by the
household. The Royal Family occupy carved oak seats in the nave. The
organ is a very fine one, particularly sweet in tone, and is situated in the
rear of the building; it is presided over by a very able musician, who is
also responsible for the choir--this consisting of school children,
grooms, gardeners, etc. The singing is really good.
[Illustration: THE PRINCESS OF WALES' BOUDOIR.
From a Photo. by Bedford Lemere.]
I have heard down there of a former organist, who was not a great
musician, and, in fact, was more at home in the village shop, of which
he was proprietor. Sunday after Sunday he made the most awful
mistakes, and, in consequence, was continually warned of his probable
dismissal. The Princess, with her invariable kindness, had been the