NOVEL EXHIBITION

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 33, 8 August 1934, Page 15

NOVEL EXHIBITION

CHILDHOOD OF THE PAST

A novel' idea in exhibitions has been evolved in London, according to a correspondent of the "Sydney Morning Herald/ who writes thus: — "Como and look at the toys Moses used to play with!" cried the pretty young mother, taking reckless liberties with history. Her two little pig-tailed daughters pressed their noses against the. glass case in the front room of Chesterfield House and gazed at the children's toys excavated from the ruins of Ur of the Chaldecs. They were picturing the little Moses clutching the toy hovsc of el ay as he fell asleep in his cradle of reeds. T.t is (UiUcult for pvomotors of: charity events to think up fresh ways of raising money. Exhibitions of various kinds, held in historic London houses, generally prove a draw. Tho latest idea in exhibitions was opened last week. "Children Throughout tho Ages" is tho subject, and Lord Harewood has lent Chesterfield House to the promoters of this affair, which seeks to raise money for the blind. Hero are gathered the playthings and littlo garments of children from tho most remote periods of history up to the nineteenth century. Paintings of children by old masters share their place on the walls with the work of unknown artists —probably fond relatives of the little sitters of a bygone day. In an obscure corner are two early paintings by tho Prince of Wales, oged eight, and tho Duke of York, aged seven, depicting a windmill and a pump at Sandringham. . >.. .' Precisely liko tho work of any of our own small .fry, and doubtless commended with"1 a similar uncritical enthusiasm by the. parents! ROYALTIES AND NOTABILITIES. Koyaltios and notabilities are brought very close to us with tho touching relics of their infancy. Oliver Cromwell's luce-trimmed baby clothes and little Feeding bottle give us an aspect of this stern leader that seldom conies to the mind! In another ease is a littlo Indian suit of green and gold brocado, very gaudy, which was worn as a special treat by tho littlo Prince of Wales, the Duke of York, and their littlo sister when they had been specially good. It is rather a lamentable betrayal to see how new and nnused j it looks! l •

The young Princess of Tcck is brought to mind with a collection of tiny gardening, farming, and dairy implements in wood, and a small tea set of rosebud and beribboned Minton.

Thero are some astonishing baby carriages, designed on the lines of niiniaturo Victorias and landans, and uncomfortably springloss. The most remarkable baby carriage is that do-1 signed for the daughter of tho beautiful Duchess of Devonshire in the eighteenth century. It is made of painted sheet iron in tho shapo of a shell. Springs in the form of snakes connect the body to tho iron-tired wheels, and a collar of snalcos awaits tho dog that used to draw this strange equipage. . . .. . : : • Although the exhibition goes no far-

tlier than tho nineteenth century, an exception has been made'in favour of the beautifully wrought christening cup and spoon of gold presented to Princess Elizabeth by the National Council of Women of Victoria, Australia. This is given a place of honour in the main room of the exhibition.