GARDENS OF CELEBRITIES 
My drawing shows the broad gravel walk, that, running from 
east to west parallel with the terrace, is an effective feature of 
the garden. At its western extremity we catch a picturesque 
glimpse, though it is a side one only, of the old Palace of St. James. 
When the lease of the estate to the Duke of Marlborough, lapsed, 
the property reverted to the Crown. 
In 1817 the house was assigned as a town residence for the 
Princess Charlotte and her consort Prince Leopold; but before 
the arrangements could be completed, the premature death of 
the beloved heiress to the throne, threw the whole nation into 
mourning. Prince Leopold, however, made Marlborough House 
his home for some years. So also did Queen Adelaide, widow of 
William IV., upon whom it was settled by Act of Parliament. 
She dwelt there until her death in 1849. 
After this the place was used for a time as a school of Art, a 
library and a museum, under the auspices, says Walford, of ‘ the 
department of practical Art ;”’ the Vernon collection of pictures 
was temporarily housed there. 
These events, however, occurring between the death of the 
Duchess of Marlborough and 1863—count but little; they are 
merely episodes, accidents of no historic moment; but with 1863 
a new era opens, and the old brick mansion in Pall Mall, designed 
by Wren, with the garden laid out under the direction of Sarah 
Jennings, Duchess of Marlborough, is at the present day associated 
less with the victor of Blenheim and Malplaquet, than with our 
late sovereign, Edward VII., who as Prince of Wales made it his 
London home during forty years. And this is because there are 
some people, well-educated, and even highly-instructed in special 
branches of culture, whose interest in general history is com- 
paratively slight ; and they do not pause to conjecture the probable 
origin of the name of a street or dwelling—suggestive though these 
may be. Others there are who deem that a great soldier—though 
he may have won splendid victories, stands in history on a lower 
pedestal than the prince, or statesman, whose tact and gentleness, 
foresight and wisdom—whilst preserving the nation’s honour— 
has saved it from the horrors of a devastating and sanguinary 
war. 
“Never draw me without just cause, 
Or sheath me without honour,”’ 
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