The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-09-11 00:00:00

HER MAJESTY

(From a Correspondent of the Dublin Monitor.)
It will no doubt be interesting to your readers to read, as
it was to me to hear, the routine of her Majesty's daily occu-
pations whilst she is in London. They are metals metandis,
the same when she is at Windsor or at Brighton. The
Queen is, as is generally known, an early riser, seldom being
in bed later than half-past seven, except on the mornings
after her state balls, or on terse few occasions when she
honours the parties of the nobility with her presence. Her
bell is rung about eight o'clock for her " dressers," and by
nine her Majesty, her royal consort, and the household are
at breakfast. The time occupied at this meal is about half
an hour, when her Majesty, if the weather permits, enjoys
the air in the pleasure garden attached to Buckingham Palace ;
this garden covers a space of about forty acres. Here the
Queen frequently remains an hour, and is accompanied by
some of the household, or by the prince. When she is ac-
companied by the latter, etiquette prescribes that, except by
invitation, the ladies and gentlemen in attendance should
walk at a " respectable distance." Upon her Majesty's re-
turn to the palace she is attended by her secretary, when she
affixes her signature to the various documents which acquire
their validity by it. These comprise treasury and other war-
rants, the commissions of military officers, state papers, &c.;
and they are frequently so numerous that it has before now
required more than two hours to get through this busi-
ness. The Queen passes the time between one and three,
either in conversation, reading, painting, or music. In
these two accomplishments her Majesty is eminently pro-
ficient ; her drawings are much admired, and her love
for music is well known ; she is excellent both as an in-
strumental and vocal performer. There are three grand
piano-fortes in the suit of three drawing-rooms usually in-
habited, but that which is especially her Majesty's, and which
is only touched by her fingers, is magnificent ; it is rosewood,
inlaid with gold and vignette pictures, and cost 1500 guineas.
Luncheon is served at three, after which the Queen receives
the cabinet ministers, and such other persons whom it is
usual to honour with audiences. At five the royal cortege
leaves the palace, and proceeds through the parks, &c. and
generally returns about seven or a quarter after. Dinner is
generally served at a quarter before eight, except on opera
nights, when it is a little earlier. The usual number of per-
sons who dine at the royal table is about thirty. The Queen
never fails to be present, except upon the nights of a ball,
either at the palace or elsewhere. On those occasions her
Majesty dines in her own suite of apartments. The Queen,
who occupies the centre seat of the dinner table, remains
from an hour and five minutes to an hour and a quarter. Her
rising is a signal for the ladies to move after her, and in a
very short time subsequent to this move the gentlemen follow.
During dinner time the band of one of the regiments of
Guards generally attends. The musicians are placed in a
situation above the ceiling of the apartment. They are
separated from the royal party by large panes of ground glass,
which mellow the sound, and prevent the musicians seeing
into the apartment. Tea and coffee are served immediately
after dinner, in a small room leading from one of the draw -
ing-rooms. The remainder of the evening is passed 'with
music and conversation, in both of which the Queen and
Prince Albert take a part; and about half-past eleven her
Majesty retires to her apartments, which are in the immedi-
ate vicinity of the drawing-rooms, and with which there is a
communication by means of a door that is ordinarily con-
cealed by a cabinet. This cabinet is on rollers; and it is,
when, her Majesty expresses a desire to retire, immediately
rolled sufficiently far away to enable the door to be opened,
and is replaced again as soon as she has quitted the apart-
ment.