of Albany going there; so a suite of apartments is kept for her at
each Palace.

My interview with Her Majesty's Private Secretary is of the most
pleasant, and I cannot but record my grateful appreciation of this
gentleman's kindness and courtesy extended towards me throughout my stay
in Holland; such courteous attention much facilitating my work.

Back again to Amsterdam; and the next day off in quite an opposite
direction to Den Haag, one of the cleanest and most picturesque places I
have ever seen.

[Illustration: STATUE OF WILLIAM II, WITH THE CHURCH.
_From a Photo. by Gunn & Stuart, Richmond_.]

Here the Palace was built by William II. It is in the Grecian style, and
stands on the site of a former hunting-lodge, dating back to the 9th
century. Facing the principal entrance is an equestrian statue of
William II., at the back of which you note the church attended by the
family. The entrance hall and staircase are lined with marble, the
stairs themselves being of the same. Before proceeding up them, however,
we go through to the pretty and well-kept garden and take a view from
the lawn. In the right wing of the building as it faces you, the Queen's
private apartments are situated, the left wing containing the rooms
occupied by the Duchess of Albany when at The Hague.

Now we pass up the grand staircase, where I pause to note the Ionic
columns, the ormolu and porcelain candelabra, a Siberian vase from the
Emperor Nicholas, five immense vases from the Emperor of China, a
painting of William IV., and one of Maria of Stockholm and family.