OSBORNE HOUSE FOUNDED.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 431, 17 January 1912, Page 2

OSBORNE HOUSE FOUNDED.

On Monday, June 23, 1845, the foundation-stone was laid of the Royal residence in the Use of Wight, erected by Queen Victoria on the Osborne estate, which she had purchased from Lady Isabella Blachford. rler Majesty and Prince Albert thus gratified their long-cherished desire for a quiet and retired home of their own. It was there she died, on January 22, 1901. The new residence, which was designed and erected by Thomas Cubitt, was in the Italian style of architecture, with a campanile 90ft. and a flag-tower 112 ft. ligh. Beautifully terraced gardens and lawns stretched down to the sea, due to Prince Albert's genius for landscape gardening, and he also introduced great improvements in agriculture, and with the best results —his own farming paying well. By published anonymous writings, and by example at Windsor, George 111. promoted improvements in English farming, and the title "Farmer 3eorge/' contemptuously given to him, was really an honourable one. But Windsor Castle was regarded by Queen Victoria and the Prince Consort as too stately for such purposes and in September, 1848, the Royal Family entered into possession oi their new home at Osborne. At his coronation the late King Edward VII., having his own country residence at Sandringham, in Norfolk, gave Osborne House, with the exception of his mother's private rooms and State apartments, to the nation and on August 4, 1903, his Majesty opened there .the Royal Naval Colledge, in which Prince Edward, Duke of Cornwall, eldest son of our new Sovereign, and now Heir-Apparent to the Throne, has received part o: his education. The following year a convalescent home was opened at Os Dome for officers in the Army and Navy, with accomodation for thirtysight single and five married officers.