ror. Splendid, indeed, must have been the effect of
the hundreds of lights gleaming upon the pure marble, the rare exotics,
the massive plate, the State dresses, and the rich liveries; and I am
not surprised at the enthusiasm of the narrator as he dilates on the
grandeur displayed.

[Illustration: THE THRONE ROOM.
_From a Photo. by Gunn & Stuart, Richmond._]

Passing through the doorway immediately under Atlas, I am at once in the
Throne Room. This is a fine apartment; its ceiling in alternate painted
panels and arms in relief, Marble columns stand out from the rich oaken
walls, rich draperies giving colour to the whole. I hear of a rare old
painting and a fine chimney-piece hidden away behind the throne, but
have no opportunity of seeing, so perforce turn my attention elsewhere.
On either side are some glass fronted cases containing quite a
collection of ragged and venerable regimental colours of unmistakable
Spanish origin. Had I time to linger, I should hear of many fierce
struggles and much gallant conduct ere these trophies were taken; but
all this is of the past, and so I leave them, silent tokens of
national pride.

[Illustration: THE QUEEN OF HOLLAND.
_From a Photo. by W. G. Kuijer, Amsterdam._]

The chandeliers here are of very unique and costly appearance: Royal
Arms and crowns in ormolu, with pendants of curious device in pure
crystal; three hundred and sixty-four lights are here displayed.

While I have been looking round, attentive servitors have been busily
engaged in uncovering the throne and canopy for my inspection, and the
crown which surmounts the chair is fetched from its safe keeping place,
screwed on, and I am at liberty to thoroughly examine the most important
piece of furniture in the kingdom.

It is essentially new looking; and really _is_ so, only having been
fitted up some three years since, on the death of the late King and the
consequent accession of Wilhelmina, the present child-Queen. Virtually
this seat is unoccupied, as five years must elapse ere the coming of age
and coronation of her youthful Majesty. Meanwhile her mother is
Queen-Regent, governing wisely and well, and endearing herself to the
people in every way; but more especially in the care she manifests in
the training of their future ruler to the proper regard of the important
position she will have to fill, and the faithful observance of duties
appertaining to such a position.

[Illustration: THE QUEEN-REGENT.
_From a