Holland. It is of leather, with ormolu mounts, on the covers being
painted panels and flowers worked in silk, these flowers being
surrounded with rubies and pearls; and at either corner is a large
sapphire. The interior shows pages of vellum, with names of subscribers
beautifully inscribed.

This room will, of course, be the one where the young Queen will receive
when she commences to reign.

From here I went to view a suite of apartments, formerly the property of
Queen Sophia, the first Consort of the late King. These rooms are still
in the same condition as when Her Majesty died; they are very fine
rooms, and contain a vast number of curios of every description. They
are lined entirely from floor to ceiling with mahogany; the furniture,
which is massive, antique, and beautifully carved, being also of
mahogany and tulip wood. I find one of Erard's grand pianos standing in
the boudoir, and am told that it was a favourite instrument of the late
Queen. There are some fine specimens of vases: one an "Adam and Eve,"
some of Swiss make, and others of Dresden. Also I note an exquisite
model of a ship, an inlaid Empire mirror, and other treasures too
numerous to particularize.

[Illustration: OVER-MANTEL IN TEA-ROOM.
_From a Photo by Gunn & Stuart, Richmond._]

The tea-room is another that I must make brief mention of. It contains
some valuable souvenirs in the form of vases, some from the Emperor
Napoleon (these are jewelled), some from William IV. of Germany, and
some from the Emperor Frederick. Then there are others from Berlin and
Potsdam, and still others of Sèvres. On the marble mantel is a very