MARLBOROUGH HOUSE, LONDON 



" I have known many women who please men 

 without exception, but none who, like Alexandra, 

 also gain the good graces of their own sex with- 

 out awaking or exciting jealousy." 



Owing to the great sorrow and consequent 

 semi-retirement of Queen Victoria for many 

 years, Marlborough House became the centre or 

 English society, the dinners, balls, and garden- 

 parties there becoming classic. The Princess 

 was a devoted mother ; and the Prince, ever 

 thoughtful and full of resource, devised an 

 exterior lift from the nursery to the royal 

 boudoir. Whenever the Princess desired to see 

 her child, she rang the bell connected with the 

 nursery overhead, and baby appeared in a little 

 carriage so well adjusted that the child's sleep 

 was undisturbed. 



Here our present Sovereign King George V 

 was born, full of health and vigour from the 

 first, frank and goodhearted, and here he brought 

 comfort to his Royal Mother in her great sorrow, 

 and thenceforth with our Queen and their 

 children has constantly visited her. Here was 

 celebrated the Silver Wedding in 1888, for which 

 Queen Victoria emerged from her retirement 

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