ting the family are in
residence--take a sudden curve in the road, and find yourself in front
of the Norwich gates, admitting to the principal entrance. A solitary
policeman is here on guard, but he knows his business, and knows every
member of the household by sight; and though his duty consists in merely
opening and shutting the gates, you may be quite sure he will not open
to the wrong one.

These gates are worthy of more than a passing glance, for they are a
veritable masterpiece of design and mechanism. They were, in fact, one
of the features of the 1862 Exhibition, and were afterwards presented to
the Prince by the County of Norwich. On the top is the golden crown,
supported by the Prince's feathers. Underneath, held by bronzed
griffins, are heraldic shields representing the various titles of the
Prince, while the remainder is composed of flowers, sprays, and creeping
vines. They are connected with the palisading by rose, shamrock and
thistle. The maker was Barnard, of Norwich.

[Illustration: THE MAIN ENTRANCE

_From a Photo. by Bedford Lemere._]

Although this is the chief entrance, it is necessary to proceed up the
avenue and diverge to the left, before the front of the building comes
into view; then it will be seen to be of modernized Elizabethan
architecture; exterior, red brick, with Ketton-stone dressing. Over the
door is a carved inscription as follows: "This house was built by Albert
Edward Prince of Wales and Alexandra his wife, in the year of Our Lord,
1870." As a matter of fact, the estate had been purchased nine years
previous to that date, for a sum of L220,000, but the Old Manor House
was in such a condition that, after vainly trying to patch up and add on
to, it was found desirable to pull it all down, and build an entirely
new residence. Not only did the mansion need re-building, but also the
cottages of the tenants and labourers: and much to the honour of the
Prince and Princess, these cottages were their first care, and were all
re-built and several new ones erected before they took possession of
their own home.

An invitation to Sandringham is an honour which few would lightly
regard: and if it is your first visit you are in a flutter of
anticipation and expectation, making it somewhat difficult to preserve
the calm exterior that society demands of you. Now there are two
distinct sets invited there; one from Friday to Monday, and one from
Monday or Tuesday to Friday; the former generally