38 
the estate. The men are generally born, and live, and die, in the 
Park, a service of fifty to sixty years in the employment of the 
Crown being not uncommon among them. 
CUMBERLAND LODGE. 
Still going forward on our journey, the carriages next halt near 
Cumberland Lodge, to allow the party to visit the large vinery 
in the garden at the foot of the wooded slope on which the Lodge 
stands. In it grows the ‘“‘ Royal Vine,” and from the fame it has 
attained, its large size, and the heavy crop of beautiful grapes it 
was bearing, it was the unanimous opinion that it well deserved 
the title. It is the old Black Hamburgh variety, about one 
hundred years of age, and no less than 1200 Ibs. of luscious 
black grapes were gathered from it last year. They are 
all sent for the use of Her Majesty wherever resident. The 
vinery, which the vine completely fills, is 138 feet in length by 
20 feet in breadth ; and in size it surpasses the famous vine at 
Hampton Court. The tape was passed round the main stem of 
the vine, at a foot from the ground, and the girth was found to 
be 414 inches. The vine is still growing with great vigour, under 
the fostering care of Mr Owen Thomas, who includes this wonderful 
product of nature in his extensive charge, and an experienced 
vine-grower is specially employed in attending to its wants. 
The Ranger of Windsor Great Park, Prince Christian, occupies 
Cumberland Lodge. It stands on a fine site amid ornamental 
plantations, shrubberies, and lawns, and a good view is obtained 
from it of the Queen’s Schools and Big Meadow Lake in the richly- 
wooded valley to the southward. Some vigorous growing Conifers 
were noticed in returning from the Vinery, and most of the tribe 
seem to thrive remarkably well in this locality. Near the Lodge 
are also the Royal stables for the Queen’s hunters, which are 
ridden by the master, huntsman, and whips of Her Majesty’s stag- 
hounds. Hunters belonging to other members of the Royal 
Family are also kept here. 
THE ScHOOLS. 
Again mounting the carriages, the Royal Schools were the next 
object to attract our attention. They were founded in 1845, and . 
are entirely supported by Her Majesty, for the education of the 
children on the Crown estate, including those of the Castle and 
the farms. About 120 boys and girls not only receive a good 
