“From Ludgate Circus we drive along the whole length of the beautiful Victoria Embankment to Westminster. Crossing Parliament Square we enter St. James’s Park, and, following Birdcage Walk to Buckingham Palace, turn from it into Belgravia and Eaton Square. At Sloane Square we enter Chelsea, the “Village of Palaces,” one of the most interesting districts of London, and, passing in front of the Duke of York’s School, Chelsea Hospital, and the old “Physic Garden,” we see in Cheyne Walk some fine Georgian houses that have been the homes of a host of celebrities, including “George Eliot,” Rossetti, Maclise, etc. Old Chelsea Church, of world-wide fame, is passed, and a little later we enter Fulham. By the King’s Road and Parson’s Green we cross this interesting district, leaving it by the handsome Putney Bridge, that takes us across the river. Through Putney and Barnes Common we come to a more rural district, and at the end of a charming country lane, enter the old Royal hunting-ground of Richmond Park. Our road through this magnificent stretch of wood and common is nearly four miles in length, and it will be found one of the most pleasant features of the day’s drive. Emerging into Norbiton, we soon reach the old town of Kingston-on-Thames, that over a thousand years ago was the principal city of Saxon England. Again crossing the River Thames, we pass through Hampton Wick and along a fine tree-arched road to The Palace of Hampton Court.
“Here, after lunch, the splendid pile of buildings with its magnificent courtyards is explored, and a tour made of the Picture Galleries and principal State Apartments. It would be difficult to exaggerate the interest and beauty of the whole place. The Palace where Wolsey entertained with such princely hospitality as to arouse the jealousy of his master, Henry VIII., later witnessed the festivities and receptions by successive Kings and Queens, each extending or beautifying the buildings, until William of Orange practically completed the whole by the huge additions that he made. It is these successive growths upon the original structure that form so unique a feature of the edifice, and the stay here will provide a wealth of pleasant memories. The Gardens, famous for their old-fashioned charm and wealth of flowers, will also be visited.
“The return drive, although made by an entirely different route, is as charming for the natural beauty of the districts passed, and as interesting for the sites and buildings seen, as the outward journey. Entering Bushey Park, we pass down the whole length of the glorious Chestnut Avenue, that in length and uniformity is without a rival. In the pretty town of Teddington we see its old ivy-covered church, and from Strawberry Vale obtain a view of Strawberry Hill, the fantastic residence of the famous wit, Horace Walpole. Along Cross Deep we pass many old mansions of the eighteenth century, and the garden and site of Pope’s Villa. Emerging into Twickenham, we continue through its quaint Church Street past the church where many celebrities are buried, and by the Richmond Road come to the old stone bridge, by which we cross the Thames into the celebrated riverside town of Richmond. When clear of its narrow streets we enter the Kew Road, along which extend the Old Deer Park and the world-famous Botanic Gardens, whose beauty and charm have long been unrivalled. After a short visit we continue across old-fashioned Kew Green, to the handsome Edward VII. bridge, and crossing the river for the fourth and last time soon pass through the pleasant district of Gunnersbury. At Turnham Green we pass from the main road into Duke’s Avenue leading to Chiswick House, and by which we reach Hogarth Lane, where stands the artist’s residence.
“Continuing into old Chiswick, we come within sight of his tomb in the churchyard. The Mall along the river bank, and the narrow street we have taken to reach it, form one of the most picturesque parts of Old London, a “Sleepy Hollow” that has altered little in the last two hundred years. We return to the main road at Hammersmith, and through its broad avenues come to Kensington, then Hyde Park, and so along Piccadilly, Leicester Square, and the Strand, to our starting-point, which is reached about 5.30 p.m.
“A competent guide will accompany the party, pay the necessary admission fees, and point out the various buildings and sites of interest passed en route.
“Luncheon is included, consisting of Soup, Fish, Joint or Poultry, Vegetables, Sweets, and Cheese.
“Book early. In order that the necessary conveyances can be arranged, passengers are requested to take tickets not later than 6 p.m. the previous day. The conveyances are provided with coverings in case of wet weather. Should fewer than four passengers be booked, or should the weather or other circumstances be unfavourable, the right is reserved to alter the date of the excursion.”
Count de Grammont gave Charles II. a calash as a present, which cost him two thousand guineas; it put every other vehicle in the shade by its elegance. The Queen and the Duchess of York first drove in it in the Park. Then began a terrible rivalry between Lady Castlemaine and Miss Stewart as to which of them should take precedence in the use of the new toy. The beautiful equipage became a source of squabble and contention at Court, and finally Miss Stewart was given the honour. She may have enjoyed the drive, but did she enjoy the jealousy it awoke?
We hear much of “dust” in these motoring days, and many experiments have been tried to lay it. Motorists need never despair, though the problem is at least two and a half centuries old. Lying in the Public Record Office is a warrant issued in 1664 to James Hamilton, the Chief Ranger of Hyde Park, “to water the passage from the gate to where the coaches resort in the Park, to avoid the annoyance of dust, much complained of, the expense to be borne by the charge of 6d. on each coach; and to prevent all horses coming into the Park except such as have gentlemen or livery servants on them, as they cause much dust.”