The 'Victoria and Albert' always lies off Cowes during the Queen's residence at Osborne in the summer. During the winter, when the Queen is at Osborne, she is in Portsmouth Harbour. The 'Alberta' always brings the Queen from Gosport to Cowes, and _vice versâ_, and, as a rule, members of any Royal family. The 'Elfin' runs regularly with messengers, bringing despatches as may be from time to time required; the whole fleet is under the command of Admiral Fullerton, A.D.C., who is always on board any of the yachts in which the Queen may embark. The 'Osborne' brings the Prince of Wales across to Cowes in the summer, when the Prince and Princess and family live on board, remaining generally for about three weeks. The 'Osborne' is an independent command, being the Prince's Royal yacht. The grandest view of the Royal yachts is obtained when Her Majesty inspects a fleet at Spithead. On these occasions the 'Victoria and Albert,' with the Queen and Royal family, the Lords of the Admiralty in attendance on board, is preceded by the Trinity yacht 'Irene,' the 'Alberta' being on the starboard, and the 'Elfin' on the port quarter. Next come the Admiralty yacht 'Enchantress,' and the Lords and Commons,--generally in troopships such as the 'Himalaya,'--others according to precedence. The stately five-knot approach of these vessels is always very impressive, and forms a nautical pageant well worthy of the Queen of England and Empress of India, who has bestowed such munificent patronage on the various yacht clubs of her realms, having presented since the Accession no fewer than seventy-two valuable challenge cups to be sailed for by all classes, besides the annual cups to the R.Y.S. since 1843. The details of these will be recorded later on. THE ROYAL YACHT SQUADRON The present club-house of the Royal Yacht Squadron is of no modern date, but a continuance of Cowes Castle, a fort built in the time of Henry VIII. for the protection of the Medina River, which runs south and forms a fine harbour for laying-up yachts of all sizes and classes, with building yards on either side; and a very busy scene it presents during the fitting-out season.