The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-07-18
From he Commercial Advertiser,

QuEBEc, June IL, 1888.
avaled myself Of my worthy friend Mrs. WIS invi-
tation, 70 accompany her and her daughter 10 the
Countess Of Durham's first drawing room Notice
given in oil the papers the mode Of procedure, and
confess was pleased the opportunity thus offered
Of attending the court Of Vice Queen. Nine o'clock
was the hour appointed A guard Of honor drawn
up near the entrance Of the chateau also number OF
police The carriages had oil fall in in regular or
der An aid-de-camp in the splendid indeed may say
gorgeous, attire Of the royal guards received the
door, and passed forward TO where another aid de
camp was in attendance to whom handed Mrs. VS.
card. We were then passed into the large ball ROOM
which soon became filed with ladies' and gentlemen
Among the latter we're great number OF military and
naval officers many Of them covered with stars and
different orders The ladies and gentlemen did not
separate do in New York. nor yet stand STILL but
mingled together, exchanging kindly greetings and
cheerful conversation. There were no chairs in the
room.
On entering the presence chamber we saw tall and
elegant lady standing ont from group which formed
kind Of half circle her station being about yards in
advance. Near her stood the aid-de-camp spenddly
dressed, 10 whom handed Mrs. WIS card, az directed
while she made her bow. also made mine, and she
her second, and then taking my arm, passed on
The Earl was standing alone, almost two yards from the
Countess, and TO him bowed, which returned, and
on we went.
The operation Of passing through the room did not
take up more thar three minutes, or perhaps two The
whole was over in little more than an hour
We passed to the hall and back 10 the ball ROOM and
after some conversation with various acquaintance we
passed down TO the saloon along each side and end
Of which, full six feet from the WALL stood broad ee
waited table, about four feet high. covered with fruits,
ices lemonade, and various lqueurs, Wines coffee DC.
The attendants were inside, and had free range while
the company stood all along, every one receiving what
he wished Thus amused ourselves for short time,
when we commenced a retreat.
No carriage allowed to leave the stand until
and he frat allaa k1v
perfect order and regularity pervaded the entire arrival
and departure, and all over within two hours.
There music, which would have been very
agreeable TO me- and the absence Of which quite
d'ssPpontrncnt bot the drawing was preparatory
to grand ball, and music is allowed such
sons. As the Queen has issued orders that gentle
shall appear in black stock, had TO purchase a
white stock and white kid gloves, which all the ex-
pense was subject to. One or two gentlemen had
black cravats on, but such will not receive card for
the ball. It is regarded disrespectful ladies'
10 appear at dinner IN the evening with black stocks
or cravats. confess ! am glad Of the change Of
fashion.
told that nothing like the splendor Of the dinner
was ever seen. A gentleman who was favored with
an invitation stated 10 that the hour named on the
card is six which time all expected to assemble
The guests are received the stairs by number Of
servants in grand lveries servant on the landing
requests your name, which is given and the person IN
waiting calls it out the the next landing
the drawing door hears the NAME and presents
you to his Lordshp, who stands in the middle Of the
floor The ladies are presented to the Countess The
kindness Of manner and with which all greeted
are truly gratifying Our ladies' in New York sit while
their company bow but net so the Countess. She
stands up holds out her hand and at you at
ease Dinner being announced, the Earl takes a lady
and precedes the Countess, who follows after the ladies'
should observe that the aid-de-camp tells each gen.
tleman what lady he is hand down and each gentle
ats de he adv sO
BILE. The table is laid for forty each day. The ser
is laid on each side Of the table, within range Of tho
the DESERT with flowers, &C. &c. Not particle Of
glass, half filled, tumbler champagne glass, and
three wine glasses the right Of each plate also
is salt Servants attend offering you soup, others with
wine &c. You do not ask for any thing, but take or
reject what is offered No healths are drunk, nor is
there any taking wne with the lady you hand
ed to the The servants who supply the wine do
not fill until your glass is empty, that you have not
to ask but when he forward you state the kind
Of wine you choose. The banquet continued until
O'clock nearly three hours. The servants then filled
the glasses The Earl rose and all followed his exam
Pile. The Queen was given All then resumed
their seats, and in three four minutes all rose the
gentlemen leading back the ladies to the drawing room,
where were Coffee liquors and music. The harp piano.
and songs by the ladies', concluded banquet, which,
for elegance, ease, and pleasure, my friend assured me
it would be difficult surpass. thought OF our load-
cd tables in New York. and could not hesitate where to
give the preference.