THE PRINCESS ELIZABETH.

Otago Witness, Issue 4028, 26 May 1931, Page 60

THE PRINCESS ELIZABETH.

HER FIFTH BIRTHDAY. LONDON, April 23. Two school papers, written about 150 years ago by a former Princess Elizabeth. daughter of George HI, and her brother, Frederick, were among the gifts which Princess Elizabeth received at Windsor Castle, on April 21, her fifth birthday. These historic documents, with the consent of the Duchess of—York, were presented by Mr and Mrs E. A. Barnard, of Cambridge. They came into the possession of Air Barnard as the result of a broadcast appeal for old documents and papers which might otherwise be destroyed. The two documents came originally from Windsor Castle, and are, after a lapse of a century and a-half, being returned to their place of origin. The specimens are written, presumably with quill pens, on hand-made, paper and are typical copy book quotations. That of the young Princess Elizabeth reads: — “Fortune takes away nothing but. what she gave. But she gives not virtue. Therefore virtue is a good which she cannot make away.” A childish error is noticeable in the wording where the word “ make ” is used instead of “take.” This was written in 1783. The work of her brother, then Duke of York and Albany, is signed, “ Fredk., April 12, 1771.” It reads: — “ True honour is the bright sun which warms and nourishes noble souls to noble actions. It elevates our thoughts, dignifies our lives, and points every deed towards heaven, the place of its birth.” The two sheets, together with an engraving of the Princess, are mounted in an album enclosed in a vellum portfolio. HOW THE DAY WAS SPENT. It is recorded from Windsor that one of the gifts which much pleased the little Princess was a large terrestrial globe, one of the presents .from the King and Queen. Immediately she asked: “ Where are Uncle David and Uncle George now? ” The Duchess of York showed her the route. The correspondent of the Daily Telegraph, at Windsor, states that the little Princess was awake very early in the morning, but was not allowed

to have any presents until after breakfast. The parcels awaited her in the oak room, but she went with the Duke and Duchess of York to the apartments of the King and Queen to receive her grandparents' gifts. Shortly before 11 a.m. the Princess, with Princess Margaret Rose, in her perambulator, attended by two nurses, went into, the grand quadrangle to see the changing of the guard. Spectators who were outside the gates wished her “ Many happy returns of the day,” and she waved to them in reply. When the guard entered the quadrangle, Princess Elizabeth saluted them gravely, but when the Irish Guards’ pipers struck up lively airs she danced with glee, and started to march round with them.

It was a tired little Princess that reired to bed after her round of festivities.