IL2

she also passes out of sight.
the Prince and Princess.

We took another visitor to Sandringham when
the family were away. I remember that we visited
the little rural church, across the park to which the
Princess used to steal so often on those dull winter
days more than twelve years ago, when it was be-
lieved the Prince lay dying, and all England waited
in suspense the issues of life or death, Just with-
out the east window, in the mossy green of the
churchyard, there is a little grave with simple mar-
ble cross and low iron railing. Here lies the
little Prince who only lived through one short day,
the third son of the royal pair, Alexander John
Charles Albert. Scarcely a stone’s throw from this
is the grave of the favorite young groom, Charles
Blagg, who died of the same illness that seized the
Prince in that memorable winter of ’71. A stone
cross marks the spot, and on the reverse of the
cross is engraved by the Prince’s special command :
“ The one was taken and the other left.” ‘This is one
of the many little incidents which prove to us Eng-
lish people that our Prince possesses a warm heart.
He who could be touched by the death of a ser-
vant, and acknowledge that God’s Providence alone
had preserved him from sharing the same fate,
must be possessed of deep and tender feelings. In
the chancel of the little church, erected by the
Prince’s order to the memory of his sister the
Princess Alice, is another tablet inscribed by him:
“< This monument is erected by her devoted and sorrow-
ing brother Albert Edward, Prince of Wales.”

We left the churchyard to enter the park and
grounds surrounding the hall. There is much of in-
teresttobeseen. Although no portion of the house is
ever shown, by favor we were allowed to go into the
Princess’ little tea-room adjoining her dairy; an
exquisite little room decorated with gifts from her
personal friends in the shape of pictures, painted
panels, plaques etc. etc. Here she frequently enter-
tains her especial friends at afternoon tea, part of
the meal being a large home-baked loaf, for which
the Princess always stipulates, and from which she
cuts slices for her guests with her own hands.
The big, cool dairy is perfect in its arrangement,
and the cream from those large white pans is sim-
ply delicious. This is one of the homely tastes
that so endears the Princess to us, because it shows
that amidst all the grandeur by which she is nec-
essarily surrounded, she still preserves her fond-

Our guest had seen

‘them driving a sand-cart.

OUR ROVAL NEIGHBORS AT SANDRINGHAM.

ness for simple pleasures and for housewifely ways.

Here in these green lanes and woods she fre-
quently puts aside the accessories of royalty. A
few years ago, she and some of her children had
enjoyed a considerable ramble, and were exces-
sively fatigued, when opportunely an old man passed
The Princess instantly
accosted him, asking him to give them a lift. He,
addressing her as “my good lady,” bade her and
the children “jump up.” This they did, im-
mensely enjoying the “lark.” They chatted pleas-
antly as they jogged along (for our Norfolk la

 

 

H. R. Hey LOUISE OF WALES.

borers are singularly shrewd and intelligent, and
always ready to respond when talked to), until they
came to the big iron gates where the ways divide.
The man then asked the “good lady” where he
should set them down.

She said Bs might drive straight on.
“straight on’

Now
’ meant through those big Norwich
gates which admit you into the approach to the
hall. The man hesitated. The Princess insisted ;
and moreover she made him drive up to the very
door where kings and dukes and all imaginable
grandees are received. I wonder whose surprise