This Flemish type found such favour here during the latter part of the seventeenth century, particularly in the north of England and Scotland, that it became naturalised, so to speak, and was regarded as national property. In fact, a chair very similar to that shown in Fig. 7, Plate VI., is now generally known as the "Holyrood Chair," from the importance of the part it plays in the furnishing of the historic palace of Holyrood, Four further examples of the same school, and exceptionally fine ones too, are illustrated on Plate XII. These do not call for any lengthy description, but I must point out that in three of the four the Stuart crown is introduced into the carved enrichment, while its form is also employed, with but slight alteration, to constitute the footstool shown. There may be a political significance in this, but, if so, I am unable to state whether its presence was intentional or not. As regards the Flemish forms themselves, it is easy, of course, to trace the French source. Figs. 4 and 9, Plate VI., are not English at all, but early Spanish or Italian; yet they are not altogether out of place here, for they are types that were not unknown in the homes of the Elizabethan and Jacobean aristocracy, being imported from abroad by those who catered for the wants of the wealthier class of patrons, or else brought over by the patrons themselves. One is reputed to have been in the possession of Cardinal Wolsey, but that tradition calls for verification.

Jacobean Chair, with colonnade in under-part - "Jacobean." XI.Plate 18

Jacobean Table, Chairs, And Cupboard - Reference in Text. See pages 66, 67

It would occupy too great time and space to trace here the growth of the "Flemish" of this period from the "Henri-Deux," "Louis-Treize," "Louis-Qua-torze," and also, in a certain measure, from the "Spanish"; but it may be observed that the under-part of Fig. 5, Plate VI., is clearly based on the " Louis-Quatorze," though the toes of the front legs are distinctly Spanish in form.

We might reasonably have expected that the close relationship which subsisted between France and England during the rule of the Stuarts would have inevitably resulted in the borrowing of many more ideas by the English cabinet maker of that age from the work of his confreres on the other side of the Channel than he actually took; but we may, at all events, argue that, however much he failed at that time to take advantage of his opportunities in that direction, he made up for his sin of omission during the succeeding century.

Late acobean Arm-Chair (Showing Flemish influence. Said to have been the property of Alexander Pope)

Though the earlier English styles did not owe so heavy a debt to the French as we might have expected, much furniture was imported from France for the court of this country, in order to add greater magnificence to the surroundings of royalty. It could hardly have been otherwise, for it was natural that the daughter of Henry the Fourth of France should desire to have around her as many tangible souvenirs of her native land as possible; added to which, the lengthy sojourn of James the Second in that country would inevitably influence his tastes in the same direction. Moreover, it is not to be imagined that a sovereign of Charles the Second's disposition would be content with our national predilection for sombre oak and subdued tapestry when he had all the brilliant wealth of the Italian Renaissance, the "Francois-Premier," "Henri-Deux," and "Louis-Treize " to draw upon.

Amongst the French furniture brought over here, particularly during the reign of "The Merry Monarch," were numerous chairs of the type indicated on this page, very simple forms, with leather covering, studded with brass nails.

Late Jacobean Chair (Showing Flemish influence strongly marked) (See page 56 for reference)

"Jacobean."' XII.Plate 19

Reference in Text. See pages 55, 66

The chair illustrated is interesting, not only as a type, but on account of its present ownership and the manner in which it was originally acquired by its proud and rarely-gifted possessor. The story has already been told by me in one of the magazines, but it will, I think, bear re-telling here.