27th August 1889 afternoon

Queen Victoria about 1889 (not taken at Palé Hall)

27th AUGUST 1889

AFTERNOON

At 4.30 the Queen accompanied by the Princess Alix and Lady Churchill passed out at my house on the way to see Bala Lake. Mr. Savage told us to expect the Queen to pass out at the above time. Frances (TR’s wife) got the three little ones (Frances Harriet, Caroline Elizabeth and Amelia Agnes ) to stand in a group with Amelia in the middle on the table in front of the parlour bow window to see the Queen pass. The three were not close to the window for fear it might be offensive to Her Majesty, but they could easily be seen, and they looked a pretty group with their smiling faces. When the carriage was passing the Princess saw them and smiled at them, and then pulled the Queen by the sleeve so as to call her attention to them; when the Queen saw them she smiled at them and nodded to them very pleasantly. We all had a good view of her, and we thought it very gracious of herself and the Princess to take such notice of the children.

After tea, Frances took Henry as far as Tyndol for a walk, on returning the Queen’s carriage passed them, Frances bowed, and Henry touched his cap, Her Majesty acknowledged them by bowing to them. During the afternoon, Mr. Robertson told him the Queen had been talking with him in the morning, and that she asked him about me,and was very pleased to hear him say I came from Scotland.  Mr. Robertson also said that when the Queen glanced at the fossils on entering the fruit room and before I got there, she remarked how very like an Ammonite my specimens of Lithuites were – a remark which shows Her Majesty has a good eye when looking at such things. Mr. Robertson also added that he was very pleased to see the Queen take such deep interest in my collection, and he said he did not think the Queen was much of a geologist but that she was certainly much interested.

At 6.30, Mr. Hugh Brown, Her Majesty’s Highland attendant came to me and giving me a small brown case, said “The Queen bid me give you this”, on opening it I found it to contain a very beautiful gold and pearl scarf pin. I was highly pleased with my present, and asked him how I was to thank Her Majesty, at which he said, “I am to do that for you, for I know the lassie gie weel.”  I felt most grateful, and will all my life value it and treasure it as a precious relic, given to me by the best Queen who has occupied the throne of England for centuries, and perhaps the best that ever occupied it.

Hugh Brown was the brother of the more famous John Brown.  See a letter from Queen Victoria to Hugh Brown here 

Thomas left the scarf pin in his will to his eldest son by his second marriage, The Revd. Henry Ruddy. I do not know what then happened to it thereafter, but it was not amongst the objects left in the will of Henry’s only son Denys.

Her Majesty would have given it to me from her own hand if there had been time to do so, and I understand it is her usual custom to do so if at all convenient. The pin is heavy, of very good gold, horseshoe shape,* [*footnote Mrs. Wilson (Mr. Robertson’s sister) told me that the Queen is fond of giving horse-shoe articles, because it is thought they bring good luck] and is studded with nine large and beautiful pearls. It has quite a striking and handsome appearance. I learned from one of Her Majesty’s attendants that the Queen had been reading the chapter on the Silurian rocks of the Dee valley, which Mr. Darlington of Llangollen got me to write for insertion into his Guide to the Dee Valley.  The queen remarked to the attendant that it was written by the gardener here, and added “And he comes from Scotland.”

Mr. Francis Clark told me that I got through my interview with the Queen very well, considering I came from Scotland!  Both Highlanders are evidently valued and faithful servants of Her Majesty, and both were good natured and free in manners. Mr. Grant, a Queen’s Messenger was also very good nature, and so were nearly all the attendants.

 Tuesday Evening  At 9.30 we went to the station to take our places so as to witness the departure of the Queen and her suite. There were 400 or 500 persons present some of them from Bala. The Llanderfel choir were on the stand in their costumes, and had Chinese lanterns. Banners were everywhere to be seen, and when the time for the departure was near, the heather arch near the station was illuminated, but the wind was rather high for it to look well. All the houses in the village and neighbourhood were illuminated, which had a very pretty effect. On Moel Calch there was a bonfire which burned brightly and added very much to beautify the scene. A little before ten o’clock an outrider came up and shortly after theQueen came in an open carriage with the Prince and Princesses. The people were most enthusiastic and cheered loud and long and the Choir sang the National Anthem. The Queen bowed to the people and was evidently well pleased. The members of her household were also cheered, and when the Queen alighted from her carriage, she walked with the aid of the stick which she accepted from the Llanderfel people. There was a mottoe (sic) spanning the way to the train which said “Come again!”

The Royal train left the station two or three minutes past ten, the Queen put her head out at the carriage window and said “I Thank you all very much”.  The people cheered again and again, the choir sang on until the Royal train went from sight, and nothing could be nicer than the whole scene, a scene which all can never forget.  The loyalty and behaviour of the people could not be better, and after the Queen left, all dispersed quietly to their homes.  Crowds of people cheered the Royal train at every station on the way to Chester.

Queen Victoria’s Journal here

27th August 1889 morning at Palé

Queen Victoria about 1889 (not taken at Palé Hall)

 

27th AUGUST 1889

THE QUEEN’S

MORNING AT

PALÉ

 

‘I never expected to have the great pleasure of talking quietly with her face to face, and to have the pleasure of showing my collection to our beloved Queen was quite beyond all expectation.‘  This unusually lengthy passage details a moment which was certainly the highlight of the Queen’s visit for Thomas, and probably the highlight of his entire life.

After planting a tree in the garden, the Queen and Princess Alix proceed to the fruit room where encouraged by Dr. Reid the Queen makes a detailed and close examination of his fossil and mineral collections.  Her question about the age of a bronze age axe has to bee seen in the light of the Darwinian controversy earlier in her reign, and the tension between church and science about the age of the Earth.  The Queen’s question has to be seen as forensic, and Thomas’ reply as diplomatic!  Her question about his origins in Scotland show that his accent even after so many years away from Jedburgh had remained Scottish.  He certainly wasn’t going to divulge his Irish roots.

The Queen’s Journal mentions to inspection of the fossils only briefly.  Since we are reading Princess Beatrice’s redaction of the original Journal it is not possible to say whether she mentioned Thomas.  Beatrice was known to excise mention of the servants from her version of the Journal, thus diplomatically excising mentions of John Brown or the Munshi Abdul Hafiz.

Sir Theodore Martin called at Palé during the morning, and returned to Berwyn before luncheon. Colonel Wilson and Mr. Darby came from Brymbo accompanied by the heads of various departments at the steel works, exhibited specimens of ornamental steel to Her Majesty, and had specimens to illustrate the process of steel manufacture. Mr. Robertson went with them. Mr. Edwards of Trevor showed Her Majesty specimens of his TerraCotta (sic)  Several others exhibited various articles.

Turkey Oak leaf

The queen next wished to plant a tree in the grounds in memory of her visit; everything was ready and Her Majesty planted a Turkey Oak a little beyond the end of the lawn tennis ground. Her Majesty took one of the garden steel spades in her hand and with the help of Mr. Clark her Highland attendant put some fine earth on the root of the tree, and said ‘Shall I put a little more on it’.  Her majesty was accompanied by the Princess Alix of Hesse (The Queen’s granddaughter ), Lady Churchill, Mr. Robertson and the aboveMr. Francis Clark. Mr. Cameron and I were present to see the ceremony, which was performed at quarter to twelve noon.

After the ceremony was over, the Queen asked which way she was to go next, so Mr. Robertson asked her if she would like to see the cromlech, the Queen said ‘Yes’ and added, ‘Anywhere.’  Mr Clark then led the pony ( the Queen had entered her pony carriage) along the lower walk under the Cromlech wood; the Queen walked from her little carriage to see the cromlech, and after the Queen was seated again, Mr. Robertson guided her to the end of the long walk, from which they then returned by the upper walk and crossed the lawn again as when going to the front of the Hall. From there, they came by the front, passing the gun room, until they arrived sat the little iron gate leading to the Lower, or fruit garden. Here the Queen got out to walk round the lower garden.

During the time the Queen was along the long walk, or “Queen’s Walk” as it ought to be called now, I went to get in the fruit for luncheon. I was coming from the upper or Kitchen garden when I was met by Mr. Francis Clark whotold me that I must come at once to go with the Queen around the garden. I followed Mr. Clark, and as the Queen by this time had got to the end of the walk leading to the conservatory. Mr. Clark and I went round the west end of the garden and past the conservatory to the store door; here Mr. Clark told me to stay until I was called; the Queen continued her walk until she got to the fruit room steps; here a halt was made as the Queen expressed a wish to go up into the fruit room to see my fossils etc. Dr Reid was in possession of it with the door open [TR’s footnote: I used to leave the key of the fruit-room on a nail for Dr. Reid to see the fossils at his leisure]; the doctor was near the door, examining the fossils, he told the Queen he was much interested in the fossils, and Her Majesty said ‘I fear you are more interested in the fruit than in the fossils.’ – This caused a laugh at the Doctor’s expense. The Doctor then came out and told the Queen it wasvery interesting up there – meaning the fruit- room. The Queen was then helped up the stone steps and Mr. Clark was at once sent back for me to go to explain the collection to Her Majesty.

On entering the fruit room, I found the Queen with her head down looking over the fossils; Mr Robertson was standing on the left by the door, Mr. Francis Clark on the right near the door, Lady Churchill in the north passage of the fruit room, and the Princess Alix standing at the end next the door of the south passage. The Princess looked straight at me, and as the Queen was stooping over the fossils, I bowed to the Princess, who nodded back.  On the Queen raising her head, she looked at me, Mr. Robertson said, “This is the gardener,”and when I bowed the Queen nodded, and then said “These are very wonderful and must be very interesting,” and added, “Did you get these yourself?” I answered Her Majesty that I collected and arranged them all myself, then Her Majesty said, “Very nice” and continued examining the specimens.  I pointed out to the Queen the arrangement of the various groups and their peculiarities, the Queen remarking as I went on “Yes, yes.”

I took up one of the tablets [TR’s footnote Echinospherites balticus]and showed the Queen the label on the back of it, which gives particulars of the locality where the fossil was found and other information. Her Majesty read the label slowly and carefully, and then said “Very nice”.  When Her Majesty looked at my specimens of univalves or fossil snailshells, she remarked, “Wonderful, so natural”.  Then Her Majesty asked me, “Are these from near here?”  I told Her Majesty that they were to be found in various locations between Corwen and Bala, and that Bala was the typical district for Bala fossils, but they were also to be found near Llangollen. Her Majesty then said “This part must be rich in these”, and after a prolonged examination Her Majesty said “Very nice”.

Echiospherites specimens – an extinct group related to the sea lily and starfish, found as fossils in Ordovician marine rocks (between 505 and 438 million years old).

The Princess [TR’s footnote Now Empress of Russia –Nov 1894] took up the tablet on which the gold quartz from Gwynfynydd or the Morgan minewas fixed, I told the Princess to take it to the door where the light was best, and then the Princess examined it carefully as I pointed out where the visible gold was to be seen. The Queen was much interested in it, and when I told Her Majesty that it was from the Morgan mine near Dolgelly, Her Majesty gave me a nod and smiled very knowingly, as much as to say plainly “All that glisters is not gold.”  In fact the mine has been so puffed that people are distrustful of it.  [TR’s footnote (it was a failure afterwards)]

The Princess Alix then called the attention of Her Majesty to my flint flakes, stone hatchets bronze hatchets, etc. Her Majesty took up the bronze hatchet or Celt in her hand, examined it, read the label on it, and asked me if it was found near here, I said it had been found on the estate, then Her Majesty took it between her fingers, and looking at me closely and straight in the face said “Can you tell me the age of this?”  I at once answered “I think that is beyond man’s knowledge, Your Majesty,” and as I said this I looked full into Her Majesty’s face, which was only half a yard from mine; Her Majesty still looking into my face said, “Well, I suppose it is.”

After that the Queen seemed to have finished her inspection of the fossils,and as she was standing looking round at the room, Lady Churchill told her Mr. Robertson wished her to have a peach; Her Majesty said “Not now” [TR’s footnote; When the queen was inspecting the fossils and chatting, she was at her natural ease, but stood dignified when talking ofthe fruit.] and then added “You have very fine peaches and grapes here,indeed, very fine fruit.”

When the Queen prepared to go down the steps again, her pug dog went to get down, but seemed afraid to go, and stood whining on the top step. Her Majesty then said to Mr. Clark the Highland attendant “Carry him down carefully,”  and then smiling and looking at all of us said, “He has the rheumatism and cannot well go down.” Then when Her Majesty was being helped down the steps, Mr. Robert son told me to go before and open the hot house doors for Her Majesty. The Queen looked into the forcing houses but was afraid to go through for the heat, then she walked slowly and stiffly along the back of the forcing houses until she got to the end of the peach house, here she stopped to admire a beautiful border of penstemons in full bloom; then she walked slowly after me through the peach-house, remarking to the Princess when she saw the peaches caught in nets, “That is very nice”, then through the conservatory, and on getting into the vinery, Her Majesty looked at me in the face and said, “I suppose this is a good country for fruit and flowers.”  I said it was very fair.

Queen Victoria’s pug ‘Basco’ is seen here at her feet. Princess Alix and Princess Beatrice stand behind the Queen. Note her ‘boat shaped hat trimmed with white flowers’ as mentioned by Thomas. About 1887, Royal Collection

We got out at the west door of the vinery, and then past the flower border in which grew Love-in-a-mist, Victoria asters,salpiglotis, gladioli, Rockets, Dahlias, and sunflowers next the wall. Then past the narrow flower border, in which grew dwarf chrysanthemum, asters, peony asters and African marigolds.  Her Majesty admired the flowers, and stopped when she got near the west entrance gate to admire the iron palisade which was almost hidden with flowers, consisting of clematis, scarlet and yellow nasturtiums, the yellow creeper Tropaeolum Canariense, and the Tropaeolum Speciosum. The whole had a striking and beautiful effect, and as Her Majesty looked at it, she called the attention of the Princess Alix to it and said, “Isn’t that beautiful,” and then said as she pointed to the Tropaeolum Speciosum “That is a pretty little red plant.”

When Her Majesty got seated in her pony carriage, she turned to me and said “What part of Scotland do you come from?” I said “From Jedburgh,Your Majesty,” at which the Queen remarked to Lady Churchill, “That is near Floors” (Floors Castle, Kelso), Lady Churchill said “It is”, then the Queen said looking at me again “I have been there”, and I said “And to Jedburgh too Your Majesty”, the Queen at that nodded to me and said “Yes”. Then she said “I do not wish to get out again”.

Mr. Robertson then told me to go on before and tell the stable keepers to open the stable doors so that the Queen could look in. When the pony carriage was led past the doors, Her Majesty said “I see they are very nice.” After that the Queen continued her out past my house, and went down the road to see the laundry, and the other houses there, and returned up the drive to the Hall.  I left at the gate here as I wished to finish getting the fruit. Mr. Robertson signalled to me the time to leave. I left my hat near the outside of the fruit room door when I entered, and went afterwards round with the Queen without it. Mr Robertson did the same.

When I went to the Queen in the fruit room, I felt nervous, but Her Majesty’s very pleasant way of speaking to me, and her kind manner eased me very much. Indeed, her manner was simplicity itself. Her way of speaking was in short sentences, and like stout people with a little difficulty. The queen evidently wished me to feel at ease, for she looked pleasantly at me and spoke very kindly to me.

Before Her Majesty came to Palé I was wondering if it would be possible for me to get a good look at her, but I never expected to have the great pleasure of talking quietly with her face to face, and to have the pleasure of showing my collection to our beloved Queen was quite beyond all expectation. To me certainly it was a Red Letter Day, and I fully appreciated Her Majesty’s kindness in honouring my collection with a visit.

The Queen is under middle height, has a very full round face very stout, and hair grey. She wore a dress having black and grey stripes, a black mantle with a fringe to it. Her hat was large, of boat shape, with white flowers in front. When walking she took short steps and walked stiffly, from the effects of her rheumatism, I expect. I was pleased to see the great interest Her Majesty took in everything.

Dr. Reid, the Queen’s Physician

When I went back to the fruit room for my hat, I found Dr. Reid inspecting my collection again, as soon as he got Her Majesty away he went back again, and there I left him as I wanted something to eat. Mr. Minshall of the Oswestry Advertiser was in my house waiting for me to get particulars of my interview with the Queen, but I declined to say more than that her Majesty inspected my collection with much interest.

After the Queen had luncheon, Mr. Evan Morris, Mayor of Wrexham, arrived at Palé and was knighted by Her Majesty. Sir John McNeill handed his sword to Her Majesty, and as Mr. Morris knelt on his right knee, Her Majesty touched him on both shoulders with the sword, and addressing him as Sir Evan Morris, commanded him to rise. Sir John Puleston also came to Palé and was presented to the Queen by Mr. Raikes. Mr. Raikes left during the afternoon. I only saw Mr. Raikes when he was with the Queen at the dog trials; he was very tall, stout and full-faced.

Queen Victoria’s Journal here

27th August 1889

Queen Victoria about 1889 (not taken at Palé Hall)

 

 

 

 

27TH AUGUST 1889

MORNING

 

The fruits produced in the hothouses of Palé Hall were obviously popular, not only with Queen Victoria who was presented with them for her breakfast, but also with her household, several of whom found Thomas in the garden asking for a peach.  When Sir John McNeill found Thomas with fruit in mind, the two amateur antiquarians got into conversation, with interesting details revealed about a Viking burial on a Scottish island.

Viking grave Kiloran Bay Colonsay, discovered by Sir John McNeill
https://canmore.org.uk/site/38173/colonsay-kiloran-bay

https://canmore.org.uk/site/38173/colonsay-kiloran-bay

Tuesday August the 27th I sent in fruit for the Queen’s breakfast and saw to various things, and at 9 o’clock Sir John McNeill hunted me up in the garden to get a peach from me.  When we were talking about antiquities, Sir John told me that stone hatchets were frequently to be found in the Western Highlands, and on his estate in the Isle of Colonsay he lately discovered the remains of a Viking, and with the remains there were armour, enamelled ornaments, bronze scales and other curious things. Sir John told me he put the bones of the Viking and various other articles in a velvet lined box and sent the whole to the museum Edinburgh on loan, and that they were there now. Sir John also added that a Swede who had read about the find was so interested in one of the articles found that he came over to Edinburgh to see it, and on getting to Edinburgh he found the precious relic had been lentto a gentleman in the West of Scotland, so thither the Swede went to see it, – so anxious was he to examine it. I was much pleased with the manner of Sir John.

Prince and Princess Henry of Battenburg left here by the Royal Train for Barmouth to lay the foundation stone of the Barmouth new Church. The Hon. Harriet Phipps and Major Bigge went with them to be in attendance. The Royal train arrived at Barmouth at 12.50.  The greater part of the county Magistrates and several ladies were at Barmouth to receive the Prince and Princess.

Barmouth was gaily decorated and an immense number of people were in the town.  There was a procession from the station to the site of the church, a short way off.  The Bishop of the Diocese (Bishop of Bangor) and the Bishop of London (The latter was staying at the time at Dolgelly) were there, and many clergymen.  The Princess received a silver trowel and laid the stone in the presence of a large assembly of people. The church is to cost £20,000, and of this sum, Mrs Dyson Perrins and her family give three fourths, and £3,500 has been subscribed by others. Mrs. Perrins lives in a large house near Barmouth, on the way to Llanaber.  Mrs. Perrins is of the sauce makers of the firm Lea and Perrins.

 

St John’s Church Barmouth
Photograph © Arthur C. Harris Creative Commons

After the stone was laid, the Marchioness of Londonderry from Plas Machynlleth gave a luncheon at the Corsygedol (note – a Barmouth Hotel) to the Prince & Princess, the bishops, Lord H. Vane Tempest, Lord and Lady Harlech, Mr.W.R.M. Wynne of Peniarth, Mrs. Dyson Perrins and members of her family from Brynmymach, Barmouth and a fewothers. Lady Londonderry was the principal in getting the Princess to lay the stone.

The Lord Lieutenant of the County, Mr. R.D. Pryce of Cyfronyd, gave a luncheon in the Masonic Hall to the county magistrates and others. After luncheon, the Prince and Princess, with the Marchioness of Londonderry drove to Aberamffra harbour and back on to the esplanade; they were loudly cheered on the way and were everywhere well received.

Train on the Festiniog railway
© Stephen McKay – Creative Commons

At 4.10 they left in a Cambrian saloon for Minfford junction where they got into a train of the Toy or Festiniog Railway on their way to Plas Tanybwlch and had tea with Mr. Oakley, the owner of the Plas and the large estate around.  Mr. Oakley afterwards drove the Royal party to Maentwrog Road station, from there they came home by the Royal train a little after 7 o’clock.

26th August 1889

Queen Victoria about 1889 (not taken at Palé Hall)

 

 

 

 

26TH AUGUST 1889

AFTERNOON AND EVENING

Once again Thomas and his family get a close up view of the Queen and her retinue as she sets out to visit Llangollen, first using the royal Train and then setting out in a carriage to visit Sir Theodore Martin at his home, Bryntisilio Hall nearby.

26th August, the birthday of the late Prince Albert, was a fitting day to visit the man whom Victoria had chosen to write her husband’s biography.

Five Volume biography of Prince Albert – The Life of the Prince Consort: Prince Albert and His Times by Sir Theodore Martin

Further information about Sir Theodore below.  I suspect that some of the description of the Queen’s afternoon was copied from a local or national newspaper, as this technique was used in other places in the journal by Thomas.

At half past three o’ clock we all went to the stand at the station again to see the Queen and her attendants go by the Royal Train to Llangollen. There were a great number of people to see the train leave, and all were very orderly.  We had a very near and good view of the Royal party. The Prince and Princesses went with the Queen. The afternoon was sunny and fine, and added much to the pleasant scene. when the Queen got out of the carriage, she walked alone to the train. The people cheered long and loud when the Queen was going to the station and when the train was leaving.

After I got back here, I had the flower vases to fill for the dining table, because the Queen was to have guests and dine downstairs in the usual dining room.  There were to be eleven to dinner including the Queen; there were eleven on Saturday too, and four upstairs. The Queen returned at 7 o’clock, bringing many bouquets with her.

The Queen arrived at Llangollen at two minutes past 4 o’clock, there were hundreds of people there to see the Royal party, who had a very loyal reception. The Queen walked to her carriage (the carriage left here for Llangollen in the morning) with the aid of the Llanderfel stick. The two scarlet liveried servants mounted on grey horses preceded the Queen’s carriage; the carriage was drawn by four horses (greys), the near horses being mounted by postillions in blue and gold.  The Gillies were seated behind the carriage, and following the carriage were Colonel Cornwallis West M.P. on horseback, the equerries and two outriders. The second carriage contained Sir H. Ponsonby and Mr. Raikes MP in private clothes, with them were Lady Churchill and Hon Harriet Phipps. The road was lined with people in various places along the route, many being on the slope of the open hillside  On approaching Bryntisilio. The Queen, the Prince and Princesses were loudly and loyally cheered all the way, the Royal party acknowledged the reception by bowing and smiling. The Indians followed in a closed carriage.

Scenery near Llangollen ©Roger Kidd via Geograph    (Creative Commons)

It is a beautiful and pleasing route all the way from Llangollen to Bryntysilio; the north side of the road slopes up into the hills, the north side slopes down to the canal and river, and the south side of the river slopes up into hills again.  Pretty villas enliven the scene, and the whole is beautifully wooded, and at the present time the trees are changing into their autumn tints. At Pentrefelin, the Queen had a view up the vale of Valle Crucis, but could not see the Abbey ruins.

Bryntisilio Hall

Bryntysilio, the seat of Sir Theodore Martin is on rising ground overlooking the vale of Llangollen and the vale past Llantysilio, for some distance. This is certainly beautifully situated, and although of no great size, it has a good effect. It was in one of the rooms looking up the vale, immediately overlooking the church of Llantysilio, and on the first floor that Sir Theodore wrote the life of Prince Albert; the Queen wished to see this room. The Queen had tea with Sir Theodore and Lady Martin, and Miss Alice Helps, daughter of Sir Arthur Helps. During Her Majesty’s stay there was some singing by 20 of the Llangollen Choral Society.

Like Henry Robertson, Sir Theodore Martin was an Edinburgh Scot who later settled in Wales. Wikipedia article  

On returning to Llangollen, the Queen halted for a minute or two to receive an address of welcome from the inhabitants, and then went on the Holyhead road to Corwen.  The Queen made a halt at Glyndyfrchwy to accept a bouquet from Miss Tottenham, shook hands with Major and Mrs. Tottenham and said they lived in a beautiful country. The Queen arrived at Corwen at 7 o’clock, left Llangollen about 5.45.  The Royal Carriage came to a standstill in the middle of the square at Corwen, here the Queen received an address of welcome, and then drove on to the station where the Queenentered the saloon of her Royal train and made the rest of the journey by rail. The Queen had a loyal and hearty reception all along the route, sothat she was much pleased with her visit. And as the whole route is through a beautiful part of the country, and the day was fine, Her Majesty could not help being pleased with the people and the country.

In the evening, the Lord Lieutenant of Merioneth (Captain Pryce), the Lord Lieutenant of Denbighshire (Col. Cornwallis West MP) and Sir Watkin and Lady Williams Wynn hadthe honour of dining with the Queen.  After dinner the members of the Llanderfel choir again sang a selection of music in

Welsh. The Queen gave the conductor, Mr. W. T. Jones of Brynmelyn a silver mounted ivory baton as a memento of her visit.

There are a number of interesting illustrations and commentary on Queen Victoria’s visit at the Wrexham History site

Queen Victoria’s journal for the afternoon here

26th August 1889

Queen Victoria about 1889 (not taken at Palé Hall)

 

 

 

 

26TH AUGUST 1889

MORNING

For Thomas, the main event of the morning was the opportunity to show several senior members of the Queen’s household his fossil collection.  Sir Henry Ponsonby, Sir John McNeill and Dr. Reid seem to have been interested in the well displayed collection which Henry Beyer Robertson had asked him to display during the visit. See here for the Royal Household

Princess Beatrice and Prince Henry had an eventful visit to a coal mind during the morning, descending to the coal face, hewing a piece of coal each, and setting off an electrical charge.  Meanwhile the Queen’s morning began with her marking with sadness the birthday of her late husband. “This dear dear day, spent for the 27^th time without my darling Husband, the light of my life.”  A carriage ride up the hill road behind Palé towards the Berwyn mountains, providing her with good views may have lightened her mood.  Thomas found a number of interested people arriving at his house to get a view of the Queen.

Monday the 26th. There was nothing very particular going on until breakfast was over. At 10.30 Prince Henry, the Princesses, the Hon. Harriet Phipps & Major Bigge in attendance, left here in the Royal train for Ruabon to go a coal pit. The carriage of Major Evan Morris (Mayor of Wrexham) was waiting at the station and took them to the Winnstay Colliery, half a mile away. At the coal pit they put on dust cloaks and caps,the gentlemen put on overalls. They were accompanied in the descent by Major Morris, chairman of the colliery, the engineer, the underground manager, Sir W. Wynn, and others connected with the colliery. They were pushed along in tubs for about five hundred yards, and on getting to the coal, each cut out a piece with a pick; afterwards the Princess Beatrice fired a shot by electricity to bring down some coal, and then the party returned to the surface.  They kept the pieces of coal they got out as trophies, and were well pleased with their visit. The miners, above and below the surface cheered them heartily. The Royal party got back here in time for luncheon.

A good drawing of Princess Beatrice hewing coal, originally from ‘The Graphic’ here    (not available on this page for copyright reasons)

At 11.20, the Queen, attended by Lady Churchill, went out at the gate by my house for a drive over the Berwyn road.When the queen passed my house, she took a good look at itso that we had a close and full view of her. My friend Mr. Robinson of Shrewsbury came into my house to see the Queen pass, and three ladies from Bournemouth (the Misses Hull) friends of Mrs. Roy asked to come in too so as to have a view of the Queen. They were all satisfied, for they had an excellent view of her. Mrs. Roy (Mrs. Robertson’s sister) lives near the Misses Hull at Bournemouth, and as they were coming to Bala, Mrs.Roy told them to come to me and I would be sure to show them all there was to be seen at Palé. They came to me three or four times last week, and their great ambition was to see the Queen in her pony carriage anywhere in the grounds. They are ladies pretty well in years, and as they made themselves agreeable, I did all I could for them, but they could not see the Queen in her pony carriage. The Misses Hull took much interest in my collection of fossils and other objects of interest.  They told me that Mrs. Roy often talked about me, so that in name I was no stranger to them.

The two Highlanders accompanied the Queen in her carriage, but no other guards or attendants. Mr. Robertson went up the hill on foot and met the carriage at the head of the old lane at Wernol, there he was taken into the carriage and sat with the Highlanders, and then he acted the guide to the Queen. They went to Palé stables on the hill near Pontcwmbedw; here the Queen had a good view of all the Berwyn heights, the valley ofLlandrillo and a retrospect view of the hills north and west ofBala. On the return journey the Queen had a distant view of Snowdon, the Moelwyns at Festiniog and a very pleasant view of the valley of the Dee from Llanderfel to Bala. The route for two miles went through a wild moorland, covered in heather in full bloom.  Palé mill is the only roadside dwelling all the way from here to where the Queen went, and indeed for three or four miles further.  The distance from here to Palé grousing stables is 3 and a quarter miles.

A view from the area visited by the Queen, Nigel Brown, via Geograph –                      Creative Commons license

 

At Mr. Robertson’s request I laid out my collection of fossils in the fruit room, which is a well-lighted and convenient place to display it. I arranged the fossils into groups, according to their natural divisions. The fossils are mounted on little wooden tablets,

covered with blue paper, so that when spread out there is nothing to be seen but the blue surface, the fossils, and the labels with the names.  On the back of each tablet there is a label to give the exact locality of the fossil and other information about it. The arrangement of the collection has a pleasing and effective appearance, and as most of the specimens are good, even those who know little or nothing of geology usually take an interest in the collection.

The kinds of fossils that would have been displayed in Thomas’ collection.

Mr Robertson told Dr. Reid that I had a well known collection, and the Doctor said he wished to inspect it. I got out several other objects of interest, such as visible gold in quartz from the much vaunted Mount Morgan or Gwynfynydd gold mine at Dolgelly, a fine bronze celt found on Palé estate, two stone celts from Antrim, Ireland, flint arrowhead from near Arenig, flint flakes from Bala Lake. I also had a geological map of North Wales, books on geology and the local Natural History of the district. I did not display all my local fossils, but the selection covered a space ten feet in length and two feet in width.

Thomas’ paper on Bala fossils for the Chester Society for Natural Science

After the Queen went out for a drive, I had the pleasure of conducting General Sir Henry Ponsonby and General Sir John McNeill over the gardens and hot houses, and also of showing them my fossils and the other objects laid out.  Both gentlemen were most surprised at the extent of my collection and took much interest in all I showed them. The gold quartz was of much interest to them, and Sir Henry asked me to point out on the map the situation of the Mount Morgan gold mine. They were very chatty and of pleasant manner, so that I felt quite at ease with them.

Sir Henry is very tall, six feet or over, Sir John about 5 ft 8 to 5ft 9. I gave Sir John a peach when leaving the fruit room.  Sir Henry said he never ate fruit in the morning.  Dr. Reid and I had a minute inspection of my collection and I gave him much information about them. Dr. Reid took special interest in the various groups, and examined them with care.  I left the key of the door in a place where he could find it at any time, and he said he would go and look over the collectiuon whenever he had time.

The Queen returned from the Berwyns at half past twelve o’clock; when passing my house, we had another good view of her as she looked at the creepers on the house when passing. The pretty scarlet Tropaeolum speciosum was well in bloom, and much admired by everybody.

By Scott Zona from Miami, Florida, USA – Tropaeolum speciosumUploaded by Epibase, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=9380094

Queen Victoria’s journal for the morning here

Sunday 25th August 1889

Queen Victoria about 1889 (not taken at Palé Hall)

SUNDAY 25th AUGUST

1889

Thomas again provides fruit for the royal breakfast, then comments on the events of the day: the Queen attends a service led by the Bishop of St. Asaph, she goes for a short expedition in the Pony Chair, and then a longer outing in her barouche taking in a visit to Crogen, the former home of the Robertson family before they came to Palé.

Sunday the 25th It was a little quieter here today, but the baker’s cart had to come from Corwen, and one or two tradesman’s traps came from Bala with supplies. I was up at 7.15, went over the gardens, then got the letters and my breakfast. After my breakfast I sent in fruit for the Royal breakfast table, and saw that all was right in my department.

Alfred George Edwards (1848 -1937)

He had only recently become Bishop of St. Asaph in March of 1889.  Much later in a distinguished career in 1920 on the disestablishment of the Church in Wales he became its first Archbishop.

In her journal for the previous evening the Queen calls Edwards ‘a pleasing and very young-looking man’.

Photograph of A. G. Edwards, Bishop of St Asaph (later Archbishop of Wales), c. 1910 postcard published by G. D. & D., London. Public domain

At 11 o’clock the Queen had the Bishop of St. Asaph to officiate at Divine service in the Hall; the Bishop was assisted by some of the choir from St. Asaph, and after the service was over the Bishop left for Corwen where he had stayed the previous night. The service lasted but a short time.  Mr. Savage, inspector of the Windsor police told me that if the Queen had been settled here for any time, she would be sure to have the servants all connected with her present at the service. But as this was an exceptional stay, there were but few at the Bishop’s service.

At 12 noon the Queen went out in her pony carriage, accompanied by Prince Henry andthe Princesses, the Highlanders, a footman, and Hugh Edwardswere to follow at about 50 yards distance, so as to be ready to answer questions if wanted. The procession went slowly down the drive to the back of Brynbwlan, then turnedback to the park gate, and from there down the park to the riverside, crossing the railway at the level crossing. They went along the riverside walk to Brynselwrn Meadow near Calethor brook, and returned the same way. I had a view of the party when starting: it came on a little rain, so the pony stopped a minute or two, then the Queen said something and laughed a little, and then they went on again. They returned at 1 o’clock for luncheon. There was a little rain during the afternoon.

Queen Victoria in her ‘Pony Chair’ in this case drawn by a donkey.  The Highlander may be Francis Clark, mentioned by Thomas on 24th August.  From a print owned by the editor

At 5 o’clock the Queen went out in her barouche, and took the Llanderfel villagers by surprise by driving through the village, then along the lane on the north side of the riverto Cilan bridge, and returned by the south side. The carriage entered Crogan grounds at the lodge, stopped for a minute or two at the door of Crogan tospeak to Mr. Robertson who was there to meet her. Mr. Robertson handed the Queen a small bunch of white heather from Miss Calverley, for which the Queen thanked the child. Mrs. Calverley stood near, but was not spoken to. Mr. Calverley had gone outfor a walk. On getting back to Bryntirion, the Queen continued her outing over Llanderfel bridge and on to Fronheulog lodge so as to get a good view of Palé and the south side of the river, getting back to Palé at 7 o’clock.

 In the evening the Llanderfel Choir sang a selection of sacred music before the Queen.  After the Queen went out in the barouche, Prince Henry, Sir Henry Ponsonby, Sir JohnMcNeill and Major Bigge passed my window here and went up the hill for a walk so as to have a view from Palé hill.  There was much excitement in the village for it was thought that the Queen would go to the Church service, and in the evening when the Queen’s carriage returned from the drive.

Queen Victoria’s account here  Note her version of Llanderfel as Llandifer.

MC

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Queen Victoria’s journal for the day here.

Note her rendering of Llanderfel as ‘Llandifer’.

24th August 1889

Queen Victoria about 1889 (not taken at Palé Hall

 

 

 

SATURDAY 24th AUGUST 1889

AFTERNOON AND EVENING

Thomas had plenty of opportunity to demonstrate his skill as Head Gardener on Saturday 24th August.  Having provided fruit for the royal breakfast, he once again picked peaches and grapes from the hothouses for the meal in the evening.  As well as this he decorated the table with flowers from the garden, chiefly, it seems carnations and pinks.

Having organised the tennis court for the party in the morning, once again Thomas put out the tennis equipment and was rewarded in the late afternoon by the sight of Princess Beatrice and her husband and Princess Alix with members of their household playing tennis.  Visitors to Palé might bring to mind the sight of the future ill-fated Tsarina of Russia, Alexandra Feodorovna playing tennis on a Welsh lawn.

Queen Victoria sent him her bouquet from the previous day and asked him to strike cuttings from the myrtle it contained. Myrtle was very significant to Victoria as she had been given a plant by her late husband’s grandmother some of which was used in her wedding bouquet, and plants from it were established at Osborne in the Isle of Wight, from where royal brides continue to carry sprigs in bridal bouquets.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/06/27/queen-victorias-garden-myrtle-used-every-royal-wedding-since/

The highlight of the day came when having arranged a group of flower vases on the Queen’s supper table, he and his wife Frances were invited to view the table arrangement and Frances was allowed to sit in the Queen’s chair.  Thomas records the details of the table setting in a plan (see below).

At 3 o’clock Frances, the children, and myself went to the stand at the station to see the Queen, the Princesses, and Prince Henry, attended by her suite, leave by the Royal train at 3.30 for Ruabon. Her carriage was drawn by a pair of greys. Semi-state carriages from Windsor were to be ready at Ruabon, and the Royal carriages from here went to Ruabon to take the members of the household and servants, and the Indian attendants.

The procession went all the way from Ruabon to Wrexham, through part of the town, and then To Acton park where the children belonging to the various schools were arranged in order. Several addresses were presented to the Queen, in the park, the children sang, and all passed off well. Wrexham was much decorated, and great enthusiasm and good will prevailed all through. Indeed, there was not a disloyal shout heard along the route during the procession. Good nature and fun was the order of the day.

The Indians caused much talk and curiosity. I was told by an onlooker that he heard somebody call out “Here comes the Shah”, and another called out at once “There are four Shahs”.   After the procession passed on, an old lady in the crowd was saying she could not see the Queen; somebody told her the Queen was in the first carriage, an elderly lady, the old lady said “Well, I saw that lady well enough, but she did not wear a crown.”It was calculated that about 12000 to 14000 school children were got together in the park.

From https://www.wrexham-history.com/queen-victoria-visit-1889/

The Royal party got into the park about 25 minutes past 5 o’clock, and left Wrexham station at 6 o’clock in the Royal train which went to Wrexham from Ruabon.  There were flags and various decorations, and stands for people all the way from Ruabon to Wrexham.

Robert Trebor Roberts (left) and colleague dressed as part of the welcoming ceremonies for Queen Victoria. The Roberts family still has Robert’s trumpet in their possession. Photograph courtesy of the Roberts family.

After I got back from the station, I made up the flower vases for the large dining room table, because the Queen was to dine downstairs with her guests. Mr. Robertson and theBishop of St Asaph (Dr. Edwards) were invited and dined with the Queen. I filled two glass crosses, one glass circle in two parts, six finger glasses, and one tall glass. I had plenty of nice flowers, and an abundance of carnations and picotees. I sent in some fine fruit for the Royal table, and took out the racquets and balls to the tennis ground.

After the royal party got back here, some of the members of the Household and Princesses played at tennis until it got too dark. I was in the dining room at the time, and could see Princess Henry very active.  While I was in the dining room the Queen sent me by Mr. Thompson, her page, the bouquet she had presented to her at Glanllyn the previous day.  The bouquet was presented to the Queen by Miss Williams Wynn, the little daughter and only daughter of Sir Watkin and Lady Williams Wynn.  There was much myrtle in the bouquet, and the Queen wished me to root some of the sprigs for her. I learned afterwards when at Glanllyn that the myrtle came from Llangedwen, the home of the Dowager Lady W. Wynn.

Mr. Thomson said I could take Frances to see the table set ready for the Queen and her guests. We went together to see it and were very pleased to see the arrangements of the table. Mr. Thomson was very kind and would insist upon Frances sitting on the chair which the Queen was to occupy when dining. It was a low chair with a footstool in front of it. Mr. Martin also was very good natured; he is the chief in the pantry for the Queen at Palé. The chief of the Queen’s Indian attendants stood near the door of the dining room, ready to stand behind the Queen’s chair and attend to her wants. Mr. Thomson had to bring the chair from her upstairs dining room, take it up again, and attend to special wants. The table was arranged in the following order –

Thomas’ journal page for August 24th shows his plan of the table for the royal supper, as shown to him by the Queen’s chef.

Mr. Thomson had to see that the table was properly set, and everything correct. Frances and I came away well pleased with our inspection.

Roberts family (Father and nine sons) gave a selection of music on harps and other stringed instruments, and so ended Saturday’s doings – I may add that the Roberts band is well known in most of Wales as very good musicians. Their home is at Newtown, Montgomeryshire.

The Indian who attended to the queen is named the Munshi Hafiz Abdul Karim; he acts as Hindustani instructor-secretary to the queen, and is in great favour with her. Munshi is his title, the rest is his name.

Photographby Robert Milne (1865–1952) of Ballater and Aboyne. Via Wikipedia

Queen Victoria’s account of the afternoon and evening from the middle of this page

24th August 1889

Queen Victoria about 1889 (not taken at Palé Hall)

SATURDAY 24th AUGUST 1889

MORNING – THE GARDEN

AND

COUNTRY SPORTS

Thomas rose early on the second day of the Queen’s visit, to pick fruit for her breakfast from his hothouses.  Then one of the Queen’s Highland servants asked him to show him the garden, so that he could ascertain whether the Queen’s ‘pony chair’ – a small individual carriage- could negotiate the grounds.  Thomas put up the tennis net at the request of Princess Beatrice, and then observed the Queen watching sheep dog trials which had been arranged for her amusement.

The Queen’s journal demonstrates that she was, indeed, much amused by the sheep dog trials as she gives a good deal of detail about the event in her journal.

Saturday the 24th.  Before breakfast I took in peaches and grapes for the Queen’s table, and after breakfast, Mr. Francis Clark, a burly and goodnatured Highlander, asked me to go round the flower garden walks with him to see if he could get the Queen’s pony carriage round that way. I asked him if he thought the Queen would be displeased if shesaw us, he said “You are the gardener and I have to lead her pony, so we have a right to go.”

He told me the Queen could walk pretty well, but as she had been much troubled with rheumatism, she did not care to walk much. As we went round the walks, Mr. Clark asked me to point out Her Majesty’s rooms to him, & when returning he introduced me to one of the Queen’s Indian attendants– Saiyad Ahmad Husain, who was very pleasant.

Saiyad Ahmad Hussain appears riding a horse on the extreme left of this photo taken at Balmoral. Abdul Kareem ‘The Munshi’ is next to him. Queen Victoria and Princess Beatrice are in the carriage.       Photo © Nabeel Syed/SWNS.com

After breakfast I was asked by a messenger from the Princess Henry of Battenburg to mark the tennis ground for her, and to get the tennis balls and raquets (sic) ready for playing.

At 10 o’clock the Queen went in her pony carriage , or “Garden Chair” as it is usually called to the park to witness the sheep-dog trials. The dogs went through the sheep pen-ring i.e. between Brynbwylan and the gate going to the laundry. The Queen was sitting in her garden chair on the top of the bank between Brynbwylan and the garden, close to the crab-apple and the bank. It came on showers, so that the little carriage was drawn under the shelter of an oak tree on the top of the bank near the crabtree. Mr. Raikes kept going between the Queen and the judges, and every time he went up to the Queen he took off his hat.

The Princesses were with the Queen and took shelter from the shower under the crab tree.  Prince Henry was not there. Frances and I with Henry looked on from near the old fernery, where we had a good view of the Royal party. The queen had to keep up her umbrella most of the time, and as the showers continued, she went indoors and the princesses got out from the park by the gate from the old fernery and went along the walk at the north side of the garden, and crossed the lawn from near the park gate to the front door.

I then went to get the net fixed up on the tennis lawn, and while there Prince Henry & Princess Henry came along the terrace walk to the large sycamore tree; they were talking about the two tame ravens, and the Prince said “They were here a short time ago,” and then asked me “Where are the ravens?, I answered, “They are gone to the wood”, and the Prince said “Will they be back by luncheon time?”.  I said “They are almost sure to be.” Both of them then went off chatting.  Prince Henry went with Hugh Edwards for a short ride in a coracle during the morning.

Page from Thomas’ Journal August 24th 1889

Queen Victoria’s Journal for the morning here

23rd August 1889 afternoon and evening

Queen Victoria about 1889 (not taken at Palé Hall)

FRIDAY 23rd AUGUST

1889

AFTERNOON

AND

EVENING

The Queen and her party leave Palé for a brief stop in Bala, and a visit to Sir William Williams Wynne at Glanllyn.  Resident on the estate, Thomas and Frances have a good view of their departure.

In the evening Thomas is present as the Llandderfel choir sings for the Queen in the Staircase Hall at Palé.

At a quarter past four o’clock the Queen was to leave here to go through Bala to Glanllyn.

Before the Queen went out, the Llanderfel Committee of Management headed by the Rev. W. Morgan, Rector, and Mr. Pryce of Bronwylfa presented Her Majesty with a hazel gold mounted walking stick, as a present from Llanderfel district. The stick was grown on the Palé estate. The Queen in English and Welsh thanked the Committee briefly, and then got into her carriage drawn by four grey horses, and followed by her attendants went down the drive and on to Bala and Glanllyn.

At Bala the Queen made a halt for about four minutes to receive an address of welcome and a painting of Bala Lake. The streets of the town were crowded with people who had come very long distances.

At Glanllyn, Sir W. W. Wynn had his tenants to line the drive, and after the Queen left, they were entertained to a luncheon.  The Queen and the Princesses were presented with bouquets at Bala, and Sir Watkin’s little daughter and only child presented a bouquet to Her Majesty at Glanllyn.  Frances and myself had a nice view of the Queen and Her Suite when going down the drive; we were standing out of view at the north side of the Lower Garden. Kate and the children went and stood near the north end of Llanderfel bridge and had a good view of the Royal party when passing.

The Queen got back here about 6.30 o’clock, but we did not see her.

In the evening the Llanderfel choir sang before the Queen in the staircase hall. The Queen with the Hon. Miss Harriet Phipps on her right, and Lady Churchill on her left occupied seats on the landing above the staircase hall, near the entrance to the room above the boudoir. The Queen was sitting down most of the time, her head only being partly visible to those downstairs. The women and girls of the choir were in Welsh costumes. When the singing was over, the Queen shook hands with three of the girls, and told them it was a long time since she heard Welsh singing, and added ‘I suppose you only wear these costumes on special occasions.’

The Staircase Hall, Palé. Anyone who enters should remember Thomas’s view of Queen Victoria keeping time with her fingers on the bannister as the Welsh Choir sang below.

I observed the Queen sometimes keep time with her fingers on the bannisters before her when they were singing. The Prince and the Princesses with members of the household occupied seats at the end of the hall near the door of the drawing room and boudoir. Young Mr. W.T. Jones of Brynmelyn was conductor of the choir, and the Queen told him he had chosen difficult pieces.

We should accept Queen Victoria’s comment on the difficulty of the pieces as a compliment, as the Queen’d Journal expresses her satisfaction and pleasure at the entertainment.

Read the Queen’s journal for these events from the middle of the page here

23rd August 1889 – Arrival!

Queen Victoria about 1889 (not taken at Palé Hall)

 

ARRIVAL

FRIDAY 23rd AUGUST

1889

MORNING

The Queen arrives at 8.00 by Royal Train and is greeted by local dignitaries and villagers. She proceeds by carriage to Palé.  Later Thomas sees Princess Beatrice, Prince Henry and Princess Alix walk past his house, then in the garden, at the request of Mr Robertson, provides peaches for members of the Royal Household.

Read about the royal visitors here

Read about the royal household here

Friday the 23rd. We were all up early in the morning, and all bustle and excitement to get ready to go to see the Queen arrive at 8 0’clock in the morning. I had an early breakfast and then took fruit into the house for the Royal breakfast, and for the breakfast of the Queen’s household, that is the ladies and gentlemen in waiting.

I filled some vases with flowers too for Mr. Martin [the Queen’s cook- Ed].  At 20 minutes to eight I followed Frances and the others to the station. The Llanderfel committee of management erected a stage in Brynbwlan field, between the station gate and the machine house; here I found my party, and many others patiently waiting to see the Queen arrive. There was great excitement when the Royal train came in sight (a pilot engine passed before I got there); it came along slowly, and the Queen’s saloon stopped still opposite the entrance to the platform, exactly as Palé clock struck the hour of 8.

Queen Victoria’s carriage in the Royal Train. Now at the Railway Museum in York.

The station was decorated with ornamental trees from Dickson’s of Chester, mottoes and flags, etc. There was an arch of heather, erected by Mr. Robinson of Shrewsbury between the station bridge and the entrance to the station. There was a flag on Moel Calch, at the river bridge, Bronwylfa, etc.

Shortly after the train stopped, the Queen got into her carriage, then the Princesses Beatrice & Alix of Hesse, and Prince Henry of Battenburg. I at once recognised the large round face of the Queen, and as the carriage started, the people seemed undecided about cheering, they seemed to expect the Queen would appear in somesort of state, but they quickly recovered themselves and cheered the royal carriage heartily. The Queen acknowledged the reception by turning to the stage full of people and bowed her head.

Carriage after carriage followed with the Queen’s suite, each carriage being cheered, but the Queen’s Indian attendants caused more excitement than any of the others, the Queen’s excepted. The Indians were in Oriental costume, so that they naturally attracted much attention. The Royal carriage was drawn by a pair of grey horses, driven by a postillion,and an outrider on a grey going in front. After the carriages passed with the Queen’s household, the dressers, or maids, Indians and others, there followed the luggage, and a heavy van with the Queen’s plate, followed by footmen, etc.

The people went to see the Royal train, and the magnates who received the Queen on her arrival went their several ways. Everybody seemed pleased with what they saw, and will be sure to remember it as long as they live. People came from long distances, and all were very orderly.

*Queen Victoria describes the arrival in some detail.  She comments that after settling into her rooms at Palé she ‘rested and dozed a whole hour’ since she had had little sleep on the train.*

Immediately after the Royal; party had breakfast, Prince Henry and the Princess Beatricewent down the drive and returned by the road, Princess Alix of Hesse accompanied them; they passed in by my house and were evidently in good spirits. Prince Henry is about 5ft8 inches, dark complexion, and well built. Princess Beatrice is short, had a sailor hat on,and was in black. Princess Alix is fairly tall, very fair hair and complexion, and is good looking; she wore a grey bonnet and a grey waterproof.

Mr. Robertson next told me to go to Major Bigge and Lady Churchill in the garden and to give them a peach or two. I met them on the walk near the stove [hothouse – ed.] door and told them what I was sent for, they thought it very kind and went with me. I then took them through the hot-houses. Lady Churchill and the Major were very chatty and asked me much about Mr. Robertson’s family and the gardens. Both admired my fruit, and chatted with me very amiably.

Major Bigge is about 5ft 8 inches, sharp looking, dark complexion. Lady Churchill is tall plain featured, but very good natured and pleasantmannered. Lady Churchill is the mother of the present Baron Churchill, Victor Albert F.Chas. Spencer, born in 1864, succeeded his father in 1886. Lady Churchill is now a widow and at present Lady-in-Waiting on the Queen.

Mr. Robertson brought me Dr. Reid while I was with Lady C. and Major B. Mr. Robertson said “Ruddy, here is another customer for your peaches.” Dr. James Reid isResident Medical Attendant on the Queen. Dr. Reid is of medium height, fair complexion and very pleasant. All of the above are of middle age. The Major’s full title is Major Arthur J. Bigge CBRA and is one of the Queen’s Personel.

*Queen Victoria’s account is here