The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-10-14
PRESENTATION TO THE FRENCH COURT

1t may be useful to some of our fail countrywomen
to detail the system they must follow if they desire to
be presented at the French Court. The fist point
is that they must have been already presented the
Court Of England. A mother who has been pre-
scented at home may take her daughter, who has not
had the opportunity but Other Infringement this
necessary regulation is admitted
letter is then TO be addressed to the principal lady
of honor TO the Queen, stating by whom and on what
occasion the writer presented at ST Jamess, and
requesting to know when the Queen of the French
will permit similar honor
The lady of honor the day and hour which
the Queen has fixed for her reception; and that the
party applying will please to come with some lady
who has been already presented at the Tuierics.
There is peculiar court costume required; and
neither train, plumes, nor lappes worn, an ordinary
ball dress being the richest style adopted and most of
the Younger ladies' wear book muslin dresses with ma
tura flow ers in their hair. To English eyes there is
almost deficiency Of respect in the very simple class
of toilette adopted morning silks, figured musns,
and the most humble materials making their appear
ance in these courtlv halls.
In the afternoon below the grand staircase, nine
clerks seated to take down and examine the
if for presentation they refer you to the Queens list
and inform the parties that they are expected and
this ends the form required the lady Who has already
been presented taking the other beside her for the
ing.
There six beautiful rooms en- suite, up stairs,
thrown open, and lighted with dazz ing proiuson of
chandeliers, lamps, and branches, almost bright
daylight Along he right side of the rooms, coming
from the throne ROOM ranged seats for the ladies'
the gentlemen being opposite. There Is but little re-
gard to order cv,y, each crowding their neigh
bour while lane is left open for the progress
| of the Royal family
The frs, presentation to The King who is preceded
by aiddecamp, who inquiries the name of each in
dvIdual, and names them in turn TO the King Moth
ing be frank, cheerful hearty than the
manner of Louis Philippe. He has a good-natu
phrase for every one; and with those whom he knows
intimately he has hearty laugh he slowly makes
his way along the almost endless line.
The Queen next follows, preceded by the first lady
of honor, who also asks each name Individually and
! presents each person TO her Majesty.
Paties of all politics unite in their praise Of this
most cstimabe Queen, whose domestic qualities are
OF the first order her manner is gracious and admi-
rable, and her gracefully turned phrases always leave
an agreeable impression the party addressed.
The Queen of the French IS much better looking
than any portraits published in England. She is very
fair, and her features are not SO strongly marked She
wears her own gray hair fashion in which she is
copied y great number, who IN Eng land would deck
J themselves IN borrowed nnglets.
| The King, also, has not had justice done to him
! in most If the engravings. HIS features are not
heavy he has quick, animated look, and very
fresh COMPLEXION, like English county gentle
man
| Next after the Queen, follows the Duchess Of Or
leans the future Queen ofthe French She grace
full lady like person pale with del cate features
mated and sensible looking; her is particu-
larry suited for her station, she lnfuses appear
ance of individual ntcres, into every remark she
makes during the receptions she is highly p pular
and much liked
The Duchess of Orleans is followed by the Dutch
ess OF Nemonrs, who is cousin TO our Prince AL
bert. She is perfect Hebe in appearance with a
lovely complexion, regular features and profusion Of
fair ringlets Her remarks are very quiet, and made
in low voice without animation; but she is young
ys tn have acquired her metier court and it il suf-
icent pleasure to look in her sweet face while sb,
muTmurs her little speeches.
Quite different person follows next, the Princess
Clemrnne, the Queens unmarried daughter, dis
ngulshcd looking qrl with high profile and grave,
cold expression, which does not relax in the lea,
when she speaks
Lastly, comes the Kings sister, Madame Adelaide
unaffected, good natured old lady, having strong
resemblance to LOUIS Philippe
Each Of these Processes is preceded hy lady in
waiting, TO inquire the pane and presen, each person
Individually, md, as al the birthday reception there
were several hundred ladies present, and each had to