Page:The Strand Magazine (Volume 4).djvu/224

 matronliness in their little wooden faces, due to the combination of small, sharp noses, and bright vermilion cheeks (consisting of a big dab of paint in one spot), with broad, placid brows, over which, neatly parted on each temple, are painted elaborate, elderly, greyish curls. The remainder of the hair is coal black, and is relieved by a tiny yellow comb perched upon the back of the head.

The dolls dressed by Her Majesty are for the most part theatrical personages and Court ladies, and include also three males (of whom there are only some seven or eight in the whole collection) and a few little babies, tiny creatures made of rag, with painted muslin faces. The workmanship in the frocks is simply exquisite; tiny ruffles are sewn with fairy stitches; wee pockets on aprons (it must be borne in mind for dolls of five or six inches) are delicately finished off with minute bows—little handkerchiefs not more than half an inch square are embroidered with red silk initials and have drawn borders; and there are chatelaines of white and gold beads so small that they almost slip out of one's hands in handling, and one is struck afresh by the deftness of finger and the unwearied patience that must have been possessed by the youthful fashioner. Not nearly so much care has been, however, expended on the underclothing, which is of the most limited description, many Court ladies having to be content with a single satin slip—the dancers alone, for obvious reasons, being provided (though not invariably) with silk pantaloons.

A whole group of dolls represent characters in the ballet of "Kenilworth," which was performed in 1831 at the famous King's Theatre. It would be interesting to know whether Her Majesty was herself taken to the opera, or whether the costumes were described to her, or whether the knowledge was obtained from prints, which latter theory, owing to the minuteness of detail, seems the most probable.

To this set the Princess Victoria contributed two of the characters, Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, and Amy Robsart in riding costume.

The Earl of Leicester (1), who presents a distinctively masculine physiognomy, owing to the addition of painted black moustaches and whiskers, and the absence of a back comb, is attired in pink satin hose, slashed with white silk, a white satin tabbed tunic with pink satin slashings, and a white lace ruffle. On his breast he wears the blue ribbon of