To the left is the Observatory rising high up. Below is Greenwich
and the Hospital, and the river winding round the "Isle of Dogs,"
and London seen in the distance. Though hitherto unnamed, this is
doubtless:--"The Landscape of Greenwich, the prospect to London; by
Danckers," in James II.'s catalogue, No. 195. (_Royal Catalogue._)
[Illustration: Decoration]
=Queen Anne's Private Dining Room.=
This picturesque little room remains almost exactly in the same state as
it was when finished about 1690 for Queen Mary, who, perhaps, as well as
Queen Anne, used it as a private dining room. It is, indeed, a very
characteristic example of one of Wren's comfortable and eminently
habitable rooms. The protruding doorway in the right-hand corner, the
picturesque recess on the left-hand side of the fireplace, and the
porch-like treatment of the similar recess on the other side--where is
the doorway into the Queen's Closet--all show how the accidents of
construction and convenience may be so judiciously laid hold of, as to
render what would otherwise have been a mere uninteresting commonplace
room, a charmingly homelike and picturesque one. Such an example as this
of Wren's artistic adaptability should be a most valuable
"object-lesson" to modern builders, who, when not planning exactly
rectangular rooms, go to the other extreme of straining after a designed
and artificial "quaintness."
The coved ceiling, rising from behind the oak cornice, adds greatly
to the apparent height of the room.
The dimensions are: 17 feet 9 inches long by 14 feet wide.
It was in this and the similar adjoining rooms that took place those
many curious intimate conversations between Queen Anne and the Duchess
of Marlborough, both when "Mrs. Morley" and her "dear Mrs. Freeman,"
were all in all to each other, and also when "Atossa" vainly endeavoured
by fury, invective, and torrents of reproaches and tears, to regain her
fast-waning influence over the dull and feeble, but stolid and
obstinate, mind of the Queen. It was at Kensington Palace too, and
perhaps in this very room, that took place their famous interview, one
April afternoon in the year 1710, when the only reply which the great
Duchess Sarah could get to her inquiring entreaties was the phrase "You
desired no answer and you shall have none,"--reiterated with
exasperating and callous monotony by her whilom friend and mistress.
Pictures in Queen Anne's Private Dining Room.
40 Installation of Knights of the Garter at Kensington Palace, on August
4th, 1713, by Queen Anne . . . . . PETER ANGELIS.
There has been some question as to the exact ceremony, which is
depicted here, but there can be but little doubt that it represents
the Chapter of the Order of the Garter, held by Queen Anne at
Kensington Palace on August 4th, 1713, when Henry Grey, Duke of
Kent, Robert Harley, first Earl of Oxford, Charles Mordaunt, third
Earl of Peterborough, and John, Earl Poulett, were installed as
Knights of the Garter. The chapter was the last held by Queen Anne,
and was held at Kensington, and not at Windsor, owing to her
physical infirmities. Two of these noblemen kneel on the lowest
step of the throne, and have already been invested with the mantle
and collar of the Order and the Garter itself. The Queen places her
hand upon the joined hand of the two Knights of the Garter. It is
uncertain which of the noblemen are represented here, but the
Knight kneeling on the right of the picture would appear to
represent Harley. One of these noblemen is attended by a page boy
in grey silk, and the other has two black boys supporting his long
blue mantle. Among the Knights of the Garter in attendance, and
they all wear their full robes and collars, one figure is prominent
holding a long slender wand. This is probably Charles Talbot, Duke
of Shrewsbury, who was Lord Chamberlain of the Household, Lord
Lieutenant of Ireland, and for a brief period Lord High Treasurer.
Two yeoman of the Guard, in the well-known costume, but without
ruffs or rosettes to their shoes, holding halberds, stand
prominently forth on the extreme left. Through a wide door, in the
distant apartments, may be seen a crowd of courtiers waiting for
admission, and through the large square panes of the window in a
garden are seen clustered various persons in dark and formal
attire, peering anxiously through the glass as if to obtain a
sight of the ceremonial.
On canvas, 2 ft. 5-1/4 in. high by 1 ft. 11-3/4 in. wide. Lent by
the Trustees of the National Portrait Gallery.
41 William, Duke of Gloucester, son of Queen Anne
(_885_) . . . . . KNELLER.
Bust; in an oval turned to the left, face seen in full. He is in
armour, and has a blue ermine-lined cape. On canvas, 2-1/2 ft.
high, by 2 ft. wide.
The young duke, though of feeble constitution, was not deficient in
martial spirit. When but a boy of six years old, he came to meet
his uncle William of Orange, who had just returned from a campaign,
with a little musket on his shoulder, and presented arms, saying,
"I am learning my drill, that I may help you beat the French." The
king was so pleased that he made him a knight of the Garter a few
days after. Many men have received that honour for less. He died in
July 1700.