Truth_ had never dared to reflect
upon the Princess of Wales' beauty of character and life sufficed long
before the accession of His Royal Highness to the Throne to kill even
the surreptitious stories which always float upon the surface of society
regarding persons in Royal positions. In this connection may be quoted
the interesting reference to the subject made by Mr. G. W. Smalley, the
well-known American writer who for so many years acted as London
correspondent of the New York _Tribune_. He was dealing, under date of
January 17th, 1892, with the premature death of the young Duke of
Clarence and, after referring to the freshness of affection which
prevailed throughout the Royal family, he proceeded in these words: "It
is known to be strong and pure in all three generations--indeed there
are now four--which together make up the Royal family of England. * * *
The domestic traditions were followed just as faithfully at Marlborough
House as at Windsor. The Prince of Wales's has been not merely a good
but a devoted family. The Princess, whose whole life has been beautiful
is in nothing more beautiful than in her love for her children. She
passed from the bedside of her second son whose life she helped to
save--they say that Prince George never rallied till his mother returned
to nurse him--to the bedside of her first-born by whose grave she has
now to stand."

Sandringham Hall in Norfolk was the real home of the Royal couple and it
was there that the children of their marriage spent much of their
younger days and received much of the training which was to fit them for
lives of more or less public duty and the responsibilities which go with
public position. Marlborough House, in London, was the social centre,
the official environment, the public residence, of the Prince and
Princess of Wales. But the former place was always the one where they
liked to be, where the heart of the Princess always rested with most
interest and affection, where the enjoyment of the comforts of country
and home life came with most force to the Prince and to his children.
Around Sandringham the grounds and woods and park were not allowed to be
spoiled by art--the latter was used in just such a degree as would help
nature. The house, or palace, was concealed from view until the visitor
was quite close to it and its home-like simplicity has always been a
much-described quality. There was no elaboration of decoration, or
straining after an appearanc