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highnesses have accepted; besides the plate in ordinary use, and the special dinner-services, one of which is probably the finest in existence.

So extensive is the collection that it necessitates the constant employment of three or four men to clean and keep it in order.

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When Marlborough House larged and altered for its occupancy by the Prince and Princess of Wales, and entrance-hall porte-cochère and added to the original front, the old vestibule was converted into a saloon or salle de réception-thirty feet long by thirty wide, not very large, but admirably proportioned. At one end a narrow gallery connects the royal private apartments with the visitors' rooms on the first floor. There are no windows, but good light is obtained through domed skylight. The top of the skylight is covered with lead, painted inside with allegorical representations of the arts and sciences.

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Rivalling the works of Titian or Rubens, superb panels of Gobelin tapestry take the place of pictures on the walls, producing an indescribably lovely effect. Much of it was presented to the prince by Napoleon III., and, with one exception, belongs probably to the period of Louis XIV., when the immortal romance of Cervantes was still, comparatively speaking, in its première jeunesse. Here are depicted Sancho Panza, Don Quixote, and the chief characters in that dramatic and wonderful piece of fooling.

Serving as a foil to this, and occupying almost the entire length of the western wall, is a piece of tapestry representing the slaughter of the Mamelukes at Cairo, when under the rule of Mahmoud II. This is, of course, a modern production from the famous French atelier, and, like the older work, is a gift from the late emperor.

Like her Majesty the queen, the princess, and, for that matter, the prince too, is quick to notice if any piece of furniture or ornament is moved from its usual place, and at once seeks an explanation. A carefully prepared plan exists, with the position of the

various articles marked thereon, thus
immensely facilitating their replace-
ment after cleaning operations.
From "Marlborough House." By Arthur H.
Beavan.

From The North American Review. "STRANGERS IN THE HOUSE."

first

At one time, much more than of late years, his Royal Highness was a constant visitor to the House of Commons, his pleasant presence beaming from the centre seat of the Peers' gallery, During immediately over the clock. the turbulent times that marked the birth of the Parnellite party he frequently dropped in to watch the recurring crises. This habit gave the late an opportuMr. Joseph Gillis Biggar nity of distinguishing himself above his fellows. One Tuesday evening, in the early spring of 1875, Mr. Chaplin, then a private member, secured place for a motion relating to the breed Wales, acof horses. The Prince of numerous suite of companied by a familiar at peers whose faces were Newmarket and Epsom, came down to It hear the speeches and the debate. was a great opportunity for Mr. Chaplin, and he was evidently prepared to rise to it. Unfortunately for him he had chanced some days earlier to offend Mr. Biggar. Joey B.-the member for Cavan-like the redoubtable Joe Bagstock, was sly, dev'lish sly. If Mr. Chaplin saw his opportunity, Joe not only descried it, but seized it first.

Mr. Chaplin had risen, fixed his eyeglass, smitten himself reassuringly on his portly chest, had coughed in prelude to his opening sentence, when from below the gangway opposite, a well-known shrill voice was heard exclaiming: "Mr. Speaker, sir, I believe there are strangers in the House."

For a moment the crowded chamber was hushed in dismayed silence. The speaker broke it by enquiring whether the honorable member for Cavan persisted in his intention of noticing strangers. "If you please, Mr. Speaker,"

said Mr. Biggar with encouraging nod towards the chair. Then the anger of the House found issue in a roar of contumely, through which was heard the unparliamentary, almost

unprecedented, sound of hissing. Honorable members might just as usefully have sat down by the river's brink and shouted "Stop" to the falls of Niagara. At that time there was in force the mediæval order which required the immediate and absolute withdrawal of strangers from every part of the house upon an individual member taking note of their presence. Mr. Biggar was master of the situation, and few human faces offered an opening for exceeding the breadth of his smile as he surveyed it.

The speaker had no option. He must needs order strangers to withdraw. Thereupon the Prince of Wales, the German ambassador, who happened to be in the diplomatic gallery, and the crowd of peers, boasting the bluest blood in England, were compelled to scuttle. Mr. Biggar had his fun, but the House of Commons reaped permanent benefit from the prank. brought into broad daylight the surdity of the ancient custom, which was thenceforward doomed. The privilege of spying strangers is no longer counted among the possessions of individual members of the House of Commons. Strangers may to-day be

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cluded, but only upon motion duly made and carried by a majority.

From "The Queen's Parliaments." By H. W. Lucy.

From The Review of Reviews. WHY THE ARBITRATION TREATY WAS REJECTED.

Possibly the real ground of the defeat is to be discovered in that dis

trust of England which is now felt in all parts of the world, by reason of the total change that has come about in the theory of the British Empire. Nothing so novel or so formidable has made its appearance in the large arena of world politics since Napoleon undertook to realize his dream of universal empire, as the new, aggressive, insatiate, imperial spirit that has taken possession of the English like some magic spell. In his correspondence with Mr. Olney regarding the Venezuela question, Lord Salisbury assumed, as all Englishmen now do, that this country is in a static condition,-that its boundaries are finished, and that it has no right to concern itself greatly with anything beyond its frontiers. It was tacitly assumed on the other hand that Great Britain's condition was dynamic rather that static,—that it had a right, for the protection and development of its present interests, to assume new positions anywhere and everywhere. Scarcely a month goes by in which the map of the so-called British Empire is not altered to comprise some new extension. Private companies are being used in various directions to procure concessions and establish claims which may gradually, at the opportune moment, give color for a new British conquest. The people of the United States see no prospect of differences with Great Britain except such as may grow out of acts for which Great Britain is responsible. This is in no sense the fault of the average English citizen; who is very much the same sort of a man as the average American citizen. But it all grows out of the theory and policy of the so-called "empire;" and this "empire" is the product of a governing system totally different from that of the United States.

From "The Progress of the World."

READINGS FROM NEW BOOKS.

THE WARNING OF MONT SAINT MICHEL. I scanned the horizon in vain for a sign of any village, but saw in the distance a troop of moving horsemen. I called to the others to conceal themselves, and ran along the road till they came near; then I watched from behind the shelter of a tall bush and was rejoiced to see upon the cap of the foremost the green lizard which was the badge of my quondam acquaintance, M de Brimeau. I rushed forward, more cheerful than I had been for some time. I caught the rein of the leader, and they all came to a stop.

"Now God be thanked, monsieur," I said to M. de Brimeau, who recognized me at once, "if He hath sent you here. You said at Dol that my father was your friend, and proffered friendship on his account."

me your

"And for your own as well," said he, with courtesy. "What can I do? How came you here?"

"That is too long a story to tell now, but I pray you to give your protection to my cousin, Mlle. de Briey, who has been stolen from sanctuary by that villain in whose company I first met you at Dol."

"So!" he cried, his face darkening and his kindly eyes flashing. "Where is she?"

"A few steps away;" and I led the way, for he had dismounted and thrown his bridle to one of the men, who led the horse, while M. de Brimeau walked beside me, as I told him so much of my tale as there was time for. He started as he saw Constance, and his hat feather swept the earth as if she had been a princess, as indeed she was in grace and self-possession. I marvelled at her air of dignity, which her soiled and torn costume only heightened. It came over me with overwhelming force how lovely she was, how worthy of all joys and blessings such as I could never hope to give her.

Langéac?" asked M. de Brimeau. "I
regret that I cannot escort both of you
to the Mount. I am returning from a
mission of the greatest importance,
and must hasten to the army with the
greatest speed." He paused, searched
my face with a swift glance, and
added, "There is treachery on every
be lost in
hand, and no time must
thwarting it."

"You are right," said I; "and no treachery can threaten more disaster than some of which I have heard by chance."

I drew him aside, and told him hurriedly of the plot of M. de Pennelec, by which the English were to be let into the Mount; if not by the abbot, by

some other means.

"Fury of hell!" he cried. "Shall I never be done with that scoundrel? Some day, when we have less to do, sir, I may tell you how the deviltries of that man have made trouble for me all my life. Now there is no time to be lost. Your news dovetails with the

very thing that I have been trying to learn on this present journey to Brittany. The abbot must hear this!" He knit his brows fiercely and beat his foot upon the ground.

"I tried to let him know, but no one would listen."

"He must listen. But whom shan I send? I cannot spare a man." He shot sharp glances around him, sweeping the desolate country, the mist-hidden road, the gloomy skies, and his band of followers. Then his gaze fell on Constance, who stood stroking the neck of a big roan horse; and he softened into tenderness. "Think, monsieur; I am slow to see my way. I might take mademoiselle behind one of my men, but I cannot take her to the Mount. Nor can I give you enough horses and men to protect her."

"That would indeed be impossible, for on the road are our two bands of enemies. If you can place her in safety. I will shift for myself most joy

"Now what can I do for you, M. de fully."

"I can place her in the Benedictine Abbey at Combourg," he said, “if that will be satisfactory."

monsieur, for the abbot, that I may make him listen to me this time, and my journey not be made in vain."

M. de Brimeau took from his pouch a large seal cut on an amethyst, and handed it to me, saying, "Show this to the librarian, Dom Bernard, who is my kinsman. He will know that you are in my confidence, and will see that all

A thought shot through my brain. "And I will turn to the north, ride to Cancale, set sail in the vessel that takes provisions to the abbey, and enter by the great wheel like a sack of corn," I cried, laughing as gay as a lark at the thought of thwarting my due attention is paid to your words. false enemy.

"By all the saints! a fine scheme!" He gave me a sound slap on the shoulder, and his face brightened. "Come, Cadoc, down from that mare, and up behind Andrew. Monsieur must have your mount, on the king's errand."

The man jumped from the animal's back as soon as the word was spoken, and at the king's name took off his hat, with such a flush of loyalty as had consoled Francis for many a traitor's fault, had he seen it. One good friend is worth a dozen enemies, since bad men are ever distracted by the conflicting interests of their own selfishness.

"Now, Peter, lad," went on M. de Brimeau, "take mademoiselle up behind you and ride easily, and not in the wild way you like; so as to spare the lady." He turned to Constance with a charming expression of deference on his face which it gave me pleasure to see. Yet I was jealous to have her removed from my care to that of one so much more fitted to please her. So soon did the noble idea of self-sacrifice which I had laid out for myself at the cottage vanish into mist at any hint of fulfilment. My spirits were not raised when she said to me with a mingling of haughtiness and pain, "So, sir, you leave me to strangers! I wish you a safe and pleasant journey."

She gave her hand to M. de Brimeau, with a gracious smile, mounted her horse without giving me time to explain that I had no choice in the matter, and I was too proud to detain her with my remonstrances.

"Farewell, mademoiselle, and may God love and keep you!" said I, with all my heart in the words. Then I thanked my new friend for his service, and added, "Now give me a token,

Tell him I say that no one who has commerce with Pennelec, or with an English sympathizer, must be admitted to the Mount, on any pretext."

He gave me a kindly look that put some heart in me, in spite of Constance's coldness; and then the whole cavalcade dashed off and were swallowed up in the rapidly darkening evening.

When they were out of sight I turned to poor Jacques, who had stood in silence during the previous conversation. Alas! my poor fellow, what am I to do with you? I cannot leave you here, and one horse will not carry us both over such a road as this!"

I looked at his wretched weak body, and thought of the fatigues that he had endured since morning in our behalf; and then I said, "Mount the mare, Jacques, till we get out of this wild place. I will walk till I can find a resting-place for you."

The road grew worse the farther we went towards the north, and the night fogs blew from the sea, chilling my, body as my heart was already chilled by each step that I took away from the cold face of my lady. I knew nothing of the path that lay before us, whether we were far from, or near a habitable country. The bog increased in dangerousness, and the only way by which we could find the road was to let the mare pick out her own path; I followed best I could, sometimes jumping from one sunken tree to another, and sometimes sinking in the morass almost up to my knees. At last we beheld the tiny lights of a little hamlet just before us. We pressed forward and stoppel at the first door, and knocked for entrance.

as

It was well for me that the road lay by the sea, for the short sleep had not removed the effects of all the fatigues I had passed through; and only the fresh, salt air could have enabled me to sit the mare's back, over the rough roads. The marsh lay on one side, and the forest on the other, nearly all the way; till at last I came in sight of Cancale, and rode to the quay, where I dropped off at the door of an inn, called for a cup of good Burgundy, and drank it eagerly. Then, refreshed, I looked about for the boat which used always to come every second day to the Mount with provisions. Good fortune attended me at last, for I had happened on the right day; the vessel lay before me, half laden, and the captain recognized me at once. He cried, "Who thought to see sir?"

you here,

"I thought not to be here," said I, laughing, "the last time I saw you. But here I am, and anxious enough to get away. Now, my good fellow, take my horse in exchange for passage money, and take me to the Mount."

He stared at me with mouth wide open in astonishment, and then said, "By Saint Pierre! It would cost me my job forever. What can you mean, sir? We cannot go up to the Mount except at high tide, and how can you land? Besides, the abbot would-"

"The abbot will bless you all his days for bringing him the news that I have for him. I will go, I tell you, and as for getting in, I will get in the same way that big carcass does." I chuckled to see the amazement of the men, who stared stupidly, till one of them gasped, "By Les Poulains?"

"Yes," said I, "even by Les Poulains." Then seeing that they did not credit me, I spoke more sharply; "Make haste and stop your silly gaping. May you never have cause to see a gentleman do a stranger thing than that on the king's errand!" My heart, which had come to have a habit of beating quickly at the king's name, was warmed further to see that the caps came off, and the hesitation turned to a swift obedience.

The skipper said, "Take the horse

And

and stable it till I come again. you, sir, make the best of our poor quarters, and good luck come with you and follow you and all who serve the king."

There was not much spare room in the vessel, but I found a spot on the deck where I might stretch myself out and drop off to sleep with as calm a mind as if all my fortunes were at flood-tide. For the time I forgot that there was anything else necessary for a human being but the relief of physical suffering. Constance was safe, and I was sleepy; nothing more I knew.

slept on without stirring while the vessel was laden, and sails set for the Mount. The sun shone in splendor; the wind was favorable; and the bay, sometimes so dark and stormy that it seems as if all the winds of heaven choose it for their battle-ground, was blue and smiling. So the voyage was quickly and eagerly made in a few hours; and still I slept on, till I was roused by one of the crew calling to me that we were under the fortifications of the abbey. The skipper gave the signal of his arrival, and it was answered by one which told him that the monks were on the lookout. Soon we heard the creaking of the great wheel, and the windlass let down the cage in which all provisions were hoisted into the cellars.

"Now, monsieur, will you try this strange carriage first, or wait till it is tested by this big carcass here?"

"Send up the beef, first," I replied, "for when I get there I shall be ready for a solid supper. I have had nothing but maigre food for two days and over, and I am ready for something better."

When the cage came sliding down for the second time, I was already growing impatient; and so I shouted farewell in a cheerful tone to my late companions, and sprang upon my novel conveyance, which was drawn up the slide with joltings that racked my bones and bruised my flesh, till it stopped at the narrow entrance to the wheel-chamber. Scrambling to my feet, I squeezed inside the chamber and

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