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Page 78
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the wall towards the King’s Park, or on the
North side of the palace. There was excellent
tea, with ices & strawberries in various
marqueés. We got home quite pleased with
ourselves by about 6.0. On Thursday I
was lunching with Prof. [Professor] Sayce and when I
got back to the Museum I received a
message from the Duke of Atholl to the effect
that Princess Mary was coming up to see
the Traprain silver shortly after 5.0. Jocelyn
came to join the party and before 5.0 Lord
Linlithgow came to take part in the show. It
was about 5.20 before H.R.H. [Her Royal Highness] arrived ac:
:companied by the Duke & Duchess of Atholl,
Lady Mary Trefusis, & Lady Joan Mulholland.
It was a delightfully informal visit, especially
as it was after closing hours & there were
none of the public present. The Princess was
greatly interested in the Treasure, & after
seeing it she had a look at the glass & china.
On hearing that “her mother” had not seen
that, she said she was sure she would
like to. Before she left at her request she visited
the British Hall & was much delighted with
the bird groups. On leaving she had the
patrols & attendants present paraded, spoke

to each individually & thanked them for staying
after hours. I had intended to go down to
Traprain Law on Saturday, but as the weather
was so unsettled I decided not to venture. It was
a fortunate thing I did so, for just as I arrived
at the Museum in Queen St, I was rung up on
the telephone by Lady Mary Trefusis to tell me that
the Queen wished to visit the Royal Scottish Muse:
:um sometime after 11.0 to see the China.
I took a taxi & rushing home changed into
my “Sunday” kit & top hat & thence straight to the
Museum. It was a wet morning & numbers
of people were in the Museum. By 11.0 I
stationed myself near the door on the watch.
About 11.20 the Royal Car drew up, & I dashed
down hatless to the foot of the steps. Not quite
aware of the management of an umbrella in
the presence of Royalty I did not put it up.
The Queen on alighting at once, however, relieved
my doubts & told me to put up my umbrella.
Accompanying her were the Princess Mary.
Lady Minto, and Lady Mary Trefusis. We
crossed the Main hall & went up the S.E. [South East] stair
to the glass collections & on to the china. The
Queen looked interestedly at nearly every case.
She admired the Venetian glass & asked if
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