1884.] A FOBEST WONDER. 415 



Upwards of 8,000 gas jets are employed to illuminate the building, 

 and when so illuminated a sight is presented which is truly mar- 

 vellous. A little further on are the stables, coach-houses, &c., and 

 the covered ' gallop ' of one thousand feet long — another of the 

 wonders of Welbeck. Around these buildings are picturesque dwell- 

 ings, forming a little village, and chiefly occupied by stablemen and 

 others. The houses are models of elegance and comfort, and as 

 much care has been bestowed in their construction as in any of the 

 marvels which are everywhere present in the vast domain. Not less 

 remarkable are the extensive kennels, the cow-yards, cow-houses and 

 dairies, while the gardens of Welbeck, stretching down to the edge of 

 the lake, with a peach wall a thousand feet long, and an avenue of 

 fruit trees of similar length, are features which no visitor would care 

 to pass unnoticed. 



The lake, which extends for a distance of four miles through the 

 picturesque park, may be mentioned as affording an instance of the 

 prodigality of labour and expense in the beautifying of the Norbertine 

 monastery and its surroundings. Near the old portion of the Abbey, the 

 lake dwindles to the proportions of a river, and an admirable asphalte 

 skating rink is constructed on one of its banks. The rink is about 

 half a mile long and twenty feet wide, and during the lifetime of the 

 ' Prince ' of Welbeck this pleasure resort was frequented only by the 

 servants connected with the Abbey. In the centre of the rink is a 

 model boathouse of rustic woodwork, with stores for skates, and 

 rooms for dressing and refreshment. 



Since the death of the eccentric nobleman, which took place a few 

 years ago, to whose ingenuity and 'skill these marvellous achieve- 

 ments are mainly due, and the advent of the present Duke of 

 Portland, a young man now about twenty-five years of age, and at 

 the time of succeeding to the inheritance holding an important 

 commission in the army, the palace of Welbeck has not been so 

 effectually obscured from the eyes of the public. With a generosity 

 which has earned its reward the young duke threw open the barred 

 gates, and allowed the public to inspect a domain which for years had 

 been invisible. The princes of the blood royal, and the scions of 

 noble houses, who had stood at the gate like the Peri at the gate of 

 Paradise, claiming impossible admission, were quickly invited to 

 inspect the wonders of the place, and many availed themselves of the 

 noble owner's proffered hospitality. The reception accorded to the 

 Prince of Wales when he visited the Abbey was brilliant and imposing, 

 and the Welbeck welkin rang with shouts of festivity such as had not 

 been experienced for years before. The fine park was thrown open, 

 and the public walked at will through the beautiful grounds, entering 

 the hitherto sacred place with a wondering and astonished gaze. The 



