THE QUEEN AN AGRICULTURIST 85 



excrescence of an observatory, which rose from his 

 drawing-room window. His extensive stables were 

 turned into an Egyptian Museum, with huge figures 

 of Isis and Osiris, and immense stones with carved 

 hieroglyphics, sarcophagi, with mummy cases depict- 

 ing Egyptian manners and customs from the times of 

 the early Pharaohs, filling the stalls. I was honoured 

 by being introduced to Mr. J. Bonomi, the celebrated 

 Egyptian traveller, by the doctor, and with these two 

 and Admiral Smyth I spent many a pleasant hour. 

 The last named was a charming companion and a 

 very humorous acquaintance, fond of agriculture 

 and country folk lore. He delighted in walking 

 over my farm with me and talking with the labourers. 

 Amongst the rural celebrities of Hartwell was old 

 ' ^^'ggs>' the parish clerk. The admiral was fond 

 of quoting ' his wise saws and modern instances.' 

 Wiggs said he was not surprised at the Queen being 

 fond of farming, as in all her copper money she 

 caused herself to be shown ' as sitting on a cart- 

 wheel, with a dung-fork in her liand.' This was 

 Wiggs's description of Britannia on the Union Jack, 

 with the trident in her hand ! On the admiral re- 

 marking that some horses were idly eating their 

 heads off, he replied, ' Well, sir, I always bless their 

 mouths, and ours too, for if it was not for eating 

 and drinking, what would farming come to .-* ' The 

 admiral, when I had the opportunity of walking 

 with him, was to me the best of company, especially 

 when he got to his favourite subject. Ancient 

 Egypt. Whilst speaking of the manners and 



