THE KING'S HORSES
state coach and the cream-coloured horses at my service, giving me, in fact, the freedom of the stables and the coach-house. He was good enough to indicate particularly "Pistachio" and "Vanilla" as fine animals. The latter has a coat like floss silk. The stables are very large and roomy and warm, so that I shall be exceedingly comfortable, and expect to enjoy myself immensely among the horses and the grooms. *****
To-day has been beautiful and bright, but the sudden change to cold has shrivelled up all the people.
I had a long day over at the stables yesterday, and worked there again this morning. The horses look very well in the courtyard when the sun shines on them. *****
Thursday, 4.30 p.m.
A dark day! Four sketches of the horses are the result of the day's work. It seems droll enough that I should be drawing horses! They turned on the electric light so that I could continue after dark, and that enabled me to get in an outline or two. This morning I finished a drawing of "Crown Prince," who will be decked out in gay harness for me next Monday. I am inclined to come home to-morrow evening in the five o'clock train, and leave early on Monday morning so as to reach the Mews at one o'clock. There is nothing new to tell you: everything was very quiet and peaceful in the stables. There are eleven creams in all, and more at Hampton Court, where they are bred.
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