The Stables of the Queen of England.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume X, Issue 1, 7 January 1893, Page 5

The Stables of the Queen of England.

BY <

CHARLES S. PELHAM-CLINTON.

HjO one walking in the garden of Buckingham , Palace would believe that one of the largest stables in England lies behind the high I mound of earth excavated from the ponds I that look so charming to the eye. The rampart is covered with trees, which help to hide the buildings. The Queen hardly ever uses Buckingham Palace nowadays except on state occasions,

and the palace and grounds have rather a deserted appearance. Such is not the case, however, with the Queen’s scabies known as ‘ The Royal Mews,’ which adjoin the palace, though apart from it in management. The head functionary of the Royal Mews is the Master of the Horse, at present the Duke of Portland. The salary attached to the office is two thousand pounds per annum and the right to stable a certain number of horses in the Royal Mews. The office goes with the government, and is always given to a man of rank and wealth as well as great political influence.

The main entrance to the stable is through the handsome gateway that opens ou Buckingham Palace Road. The gates are very solidly built, and have considerable pietensions to ait. A sentiy from the Buckingham Palace guard is always outside these gates. In the quadrangle foinred by these gates and the aichway leading to the main courtyard are the oftices of Mr William Norton, the superintendent of the Royal Mews, with those of the Duke of Portland and his lieutenant, Sir George Maude. The main part of the work of arrangement and management falls on Sir George Maude and Mr Norton. The foimer selects all the horses, arranges the processions, and has the general ordering of affairs, while Mr Norton looks after the minor details. To Mr Norton is due the excellent appeaiance of the royal carriages, which always attracts the attention of those who have an eye for these details. Mr Norton was for many years in the Royal Hoise Artillery, and has occupied his present position for over thirty years. Some idea of the woik tequiied in managing such a large affair as the Queen’s stables can be iufeired from the fact that there are one hundred and ten horses in the stables, and eighty meu employed as coachmen, glooms, and outriders. It argues well for the pleasantness of the loyal service that servants of twenty-five years’ standing aie common, and there are plenty who can boast of twice that number of years in the service of the Queen. A household medal is now given for over twenty-five years in the royal service, with a clasp for every ten yeais after that number.

‘Jonquil’ came from Jones. AH the names- ' are placed on iron plates above the racks. The floors of the stables are all sanded in patterns, and the straw litter is finished off with a neat straw plait. Against the posts —as can be seen in the picture of the ‘ creams’ ’ stable—are neatly arranged sheafs of stiaw. Theie is a foreman in charge of each stable, and to every eight horses a coachman, who has undei him a competent number of men and an assistant coachman. The hoises are all clothed alike in neat ted, white, and blue rugs of a small check pattern, bound with led. The initials V.K. are on the quartets, and the quarter-cloths have the same initials with no display. The pi ice <f the horses vaiies from one bundled

The head coachman, Mr G. Payne, whose pot trait is given, has been for fifteen years in hi< present position, and has served the Queen for over fifty years. He always drives the state carriage in which Her Majesty sits, and handles the ribbons over the famous ‘creams.’

We enter the Royal Mews through the main gateway, which is surmounted—as may he seen in the illustration—by a large clock that chimes the hours. The whole M sws was designed by John Nash, of Dover, Kent, who also designed the palace. The work was completed in 1825. The courtyard is about four hundred feet square. The tight side is taken up by the royal carriages. Opposite these are the stables for the chargers, the harness100m, and several stables of carriageh irses. Opposite the entrance are the ‘cieams ’ and ‘ blacks,’ anil the celebrated thirty • two - stalled stable.

I suppose in no stable in the world can such a collection of horses be seen. All are over sixteen hands high, and most over sixteen and a - half. The general colour is bay or brown, and white legs or feet are conspicuously absent. The animals are all given names that commence with as many letters of the

dealer's name as practicable, as a iecord of their purchase. Tin s ‘ Blackbird ’ and ‘ Blackcap ’ were both purchased from a dealer Blackman, and

and fifty pound* to two hundred and fifty poinds apiece. They must be young ami pass a vigorous veterinary examination. After being pu i chased they are thoroughly trained. The chargers have a special drill in the i iding-school, over timber walls and hurdles, and are also taught to 'stand fire.’

The coachmen have four liveries apiece, — the state liveiy, which is a mass of gold ; the epaulet livery, which is but a little less costly; theoidinary seal let livery; and the plain black livery with white waistcoat, that is used on ordinary occasions. All the men live in the rooms above the stables, and almost a militaiy discipline is maintained. The first stable on the hft contains

eight good looking bays and browns, that are used in the smaller carriages. Other smalt stables aie passed, all in perfect neatness, and then ctmes the chargeia’ stable In it are many grand horses particularly the big sixteen and a halt hands bay horse * Sunrise,’ that the late Emperor of Germany rode in the Jubilee time. All chargeis, are perfect and will stand with their noses close to the largest guns when they are fired, and not twitch an ear. Tin next stable contains the small chargers, all about fifteen and three-quarters to sixteen hands, and equally well-broken Among them is the charger that the ill-fated Piince Rudolph rode in the Jubilee time. Indeed, all of the hoises in thess stables have some special associations connected with the Royalties w ho have been on their backs.

In the equerries’stable the hoises area tiille smaller than most of the others. Ou this side of the squaie also is the state harness room—a very interesting apaument. On the left hand is the ‘cream-.'' state harness. The leather is red morocco, and the heavy plating is gilt on a brass foundation. The weight is no less than one bundled and twelve pounds. This harness never leaves Buckingham Palace, and is used only on state occasions. The gilt ciests and arms are of beautiful design and work, and the whole effect is superb. Hardly less handsome is what is known as the ‘ black horse state harness.’ This is made of black leather, and the crest and royal arms are of brass ; the trappings of this are covered with crests, and the effect is very beautiful. The weight of a single set is eighty pounds. In the same room is kept the state harness made for George IV. in 1812, when he was Regent, which has never been re leathered since it was made. It is extraordinarily massive and handsome, the toyal arms are very beautifully cut, and the leather is as good now as it was three-quarters of a century ago. It weighs one hundred and twelve pounds a single set. In the thirty-two-stalled stable are thirty-two fine-bred horses from sixteen ami a-half to seventeen and a-quarter hands, all glistening bays so perfectly matched that almost any four could be placed in front of a carriage. The perfect ventilation disposes almost entirely of any stable odour.

The other half of this wing is occupied by the ‘ creams ’ and ‘blacks,’ all stallions, over sixteen hands, and the wheelers sixteen and a-half. The heavy, massive harness and the peculiar colouring of these horses make them look much smaller than they are.

The breed originally came from Hanover in 1820 : and the stud at Hampton Court, where they are bied, is the only pure specimen of the breed. Since their sojourn iu this country not a mixed-coloured animal has been born, which auguis well for the puiity of the breed. They are of a cmious cream colour, with very silky manes, and tails almost touching the ground. Their eyes aie white, with pink centres, and their noses are pink, almost like human flesh. They are very ir retable and sagacious, and I was told by Mr Norton that they have

wondeiful memories. Of course they are used only on gieat state occasions, and the effect of the eight hoises, with their massive, handsome harness, attached to the gilded coach, is very line. ‘Occo’ is the handsomest of the ‘ creams,’ and is a very intelligent animal. Opposite the ‘creams are the eight ‘blacks.’ The wheelers are no less than seventeen and a half hands in height. They also came from Hanover in the year 1820, and a special breed is maintained at Hampton Court. Their coats have a marvellous gloss, and their jet black tails touch the ground. The elfect would be a good deal heightened if the led harness was used with the black horses, and the black harness with the ‘ creams,’but the opposite is the rule. The * blacks ’ aie used on minor state occasions, and by the Prince of Wales when he holds a Irt-re or appears at any state affair for the Queen. ‘Zulu,’ the wheeler is one of handsomest of these, and is seventeen and a half bands in height. The archway between the ‘ thirty-two stalled ’ and ‘creams’' stable leads to the loose boxes and the Master of the Horse’s stable.

The whole of the side of the yard opposite the harness room is occupied by the coach-houses, in which upwards of thirty state and semi state carriages are kept. The centre of interest is, of course, the state coach built in 1761, and which is known as ‘the glass coach.' It is the most superb cariiage ever built, and was designed by Sir William Chambers. The paintings on the panels are by the celebrated artist Cypriani, ami aie so valuable that five thousand pounds weie offered for the panel on the back by a con/mr'iwci/r.

The front panel lepierents Britannia sitting on a throne, holding in her hand a staff of liberty, attended by Religion,

.lastice, Wisdom, Valour, Fortitude, Commerce, Plenty, and Victory presenting her with a garland of laurel. In the background is a view of St. Paul’s and the river Thames. The back panel is Neptune and Amphitrite, issuing from taeir palace in a triumphal car drawn by sea horses, and attended by Winds, Rivers, Tritons, Naiads, and bringing the tribute of the world to the British shore

The doors also have symbolic paintings, and the panels on either side represent the liberal arts and sciences. The panels over the paintings are of plate glass. The whole of the carriage and body is very richly ornamented with laurel and carved work, handsomely gilded. The length is twentyfour feet, the width eight feet three inches, the height twelve feet; height of hind wheel, six feet ; length of pole, twelve feet four inches ; and the weight is four tons. The carriage and body of the coach are composed of four large tritons, who support the body by four braces covered with red morocco leather and ornamented with gilt buckles. The two figures placed in front of the carriage bear the driver, and are represented in the action of drawing by cables extending round their shoulders and the cranes, and sounding shells to announce the approach of the monarch of the ocean ; and those at the back carry the imperial fa Q ces topped with tridents. The driver’s footboard is a large scollop shell, ornamented with bunches of reeds and other marine plants. The pole represents a bundle of lances ; the splinter bar is composed of a rich moulding issuing front beneath a voluted shell, and each end terminating in the head of a dolphin ; and the wheels are imitated from those of the ancient tiiumphal chariot. The body of the coach is composed of eight palm-trees, which, branching out at the top, sustain the roof ; and four angular trees are loaded with trophies allusive to the victories obtained by Great Britain during the late glorious war, supported by four lions’ heads. On the centre of the roof stand three boys, representing the genii of England, Scotland, and Ireland, supporting the Imperial crown of Great Britain, and holding in their hands the sceptre, sword of state, and ensigns of knighthood. Their bodies are adorned with festoons of laurel, which fall from thence toward the four corners. The inside of the body is lined with rich scarlet embossed velvet, superbly laced and embroidered with gold, as follows: In the centre of the roof is the star, encircled by the collar, of the order of the Garter, and surmounted by the imperial crown of Great Britain, pendant the George and Dragon ; in the corners the rose, shamrock, and thistle, entwined. The rear lounge is ornamented with the badge of the order of St. Michael and St. George : and on the front the badge of the order of the Guelph and Bath, ornamented with the rose, shamrock, and thistle. The rear seat fall has the badge of St. Andrew, and on the front the badge of St. Patrick, adorned with the rose, shamrock, thistle, and oak leaf.

This coach is hardly ever taken out of the house now, and, indeed, until it was brought out to be photographed for this article, it had not been out for over a decade. It sways a great deal when in motion, and its immense weight makes it cut very much into the ground, while the length makes it very hard work to turn it. As a work of art it has no equal. The whole effect is more beautiful than can be described. It cost nine thousand pounds. The last time the Queen used it was twenty years ago, when she opened Parliament in state. The state coach used nowadays is not by any means so splendid an affair, but it is a very handsome carriage. The panels are dark blue, and have the royal coat of arms painted on them. The top is richly guilt, and the carving represents a crown. The hammercloth is crimson and gold. Four flunkies stand on the little platform at the back, and Mr Lane, the coachman, sits in state on the seat in front. This coach was used by Her Majesty two years ago, at the Jubilee, when the * creams ’ made their latest appearance in public. The carriage cost two thousand pounds. There are six other state coaches iu scarlet and gilt, and the rest of the carriages are painted dark blue, and can be used open or shut, as the Queen prefers. The whole collection of carriages and horses is a most interesting one, and it is surprising that it has so few visitors.

The Royal Mews can always be visited in the afternoon by an order from Sir George Maude, and many passes are issued to foreigners and country people ; but Londoners very seldom take advantage of the opportunity to inspect this wonderful home of the Queen’s hoises. Perhaps they would go oftener if it were known that the admission card contains this sentence : ‘ It is particularly requested that visitors will not offer money to the servants.’