This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1900 edition. Excerpt: ... all joined in a merry game of hide-and-seek, which they thoroughly enjoyed. In the autumn Her Eoyal Highness, with the Princes and Princess May, would come apple and pear gathering, and work hard too. Then the chickens, ducks, and geese would be fed; even the pigs received their share of attention, the "baby pigs" being especial favourites with the Duchess. The practical nature of the supervision exercised by the Princess over her " farmyard " appears in the following extract from a letter to Lady Aylesford: --And now, my dear Jane, may I remind you that once upon a time you most amiably offered me a pig? and may I further insinuate how grateful I should be for a renewal of this most kind offer, having now a vacant sty to dispose of! The breed I possess is pure Berkshire, and yours is Suffolk, is it not? The pig duly arrived, and in a note written soon afterwards, the Princess thanks the donor very warmly for "the sweet little pig, with which my gardener is perfectly enchanted, and which is a valuable addition to my live stock." The Duchess thoroughly enjoyed a day in the country. "It was a great disappointment to me," she writes to Lady Aylesford, "not to be able to run down with Francis and the chicks to the Friars on Tuesday, as you so kindly proposed, but I could not manage it, though sorely tempted by every possible inducement, culminating in farmhouse fare and that unknown delight a 'junket'! Well, we must hope you will repeat the invitation another year." Household picnics to Coombe Wood were a regular institution in the spring and early summer. On these occasions the Duchess took the servants with her, and usually a few of the neighbours were invited. A fire was made, and the...