BOYHOOD OF THE EIGHTH DUKE 



not detain us. The use of the larger exotics in the 

 decoration of the dinner table, strikes the visitor 

 with admiration. It was the custom to have a 

 certain number of these beautiful flowers embedded 

 in moss, and placed in racing-cups, one to each of 

 the guests of the day. As the name of each flower 

 was duly marked, Mr. Apperley quaintly says they 

 thus served the double purpose of pleasing the eye, 

 and affording " subject of conversation." In a style 

 altogether peculiar to himself, he then g^oes on to 

 remind his readers that though "the display of 

 flowers at an entertainment . . . liveried and 

 unliveried servants, suitable plate and dazzling 

 candelabras will be seen at all great men's houses," 

 Badminton — which Mr. Apperley throughout 

 spells Badmington — " can produce a scene in itself 

 unique. Where, unless it be at Badmington, will 

 be seen the interesting combination of five beauti- 

 ful and elegantly dressed children, seated in a 

 row, and looking, step above step, as the five 

 little Ladies Somerset look, on one side of this 

 dinner-room, during the greater part of the ban- 

 quet, or, rather, until their hour of rest approaches, 

 when they take an affectionate leave of their 

 parents ? " 



But to leave our rather long-winded and senti- 

 mental chronicler, we may say, in short, that though 

 Nimrod paints for us the glories of the entrance 

 hall, and of the large drawing-room, and bids us 

 remember that the number of rooms in the house is 



143 



