A writer thus describes the country house of the Prince of Wales at
Sandringham, which is a model of comfort:
The large hall which you enter on arriving is fitted up as a
dining-room, with a pianoforte, easy-chairs and two large
writing-tables. Behind the piano are a quantity of toys for the children
to amuse themselves with at the "children's hour" after tea.
Here at five o'clock the tea-table is placed in the centre of the hall,
and is presided over by the princess in the loveliest of tea-gowns.
It is a pretty sight to see her surrounded by her three little girls,
who look like tiny fairies, and who run about to put "papa's" letters in
the large pillar-post box at one end of the hall. There are generally
four or five large dogs to add to the circle.
At Christmas the hall looks like a large bazaar, being then filled with
the most costly and beautiful tables, with a large Christmas tree in the
centre and objects all around the sides of the hall full of presents for
the household and visitors.
Their royal highnesses arrange these presents all themselves, and no one
is permitted to enter till the evening.
The drawing-room is a particularly pretty room, full of furniture, and
every available corner is filled with gigantic flower-glasses full of
Pampas grass and evergreens.
Out of the drawing-room, on the opposite side of the dining-room, is a
small sitting-room, fitted with book-cases. Beyond this is the prince's
own room, quite full of beautiful things.
Here he and the princess always breakfast, and here on the ninth of
November and the first of December are laid out all the numerous birth
day presents.
Of the princess's private apartments up stairs it will suffice to say
that a prettier room than her royal highness's own _boudoir,_ or
sitting-room, was never seen. All the visitors' rooms are perfect, nor
are the servants' comforts neglected.
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