Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1850-11-13
A DINNER AND A rA1h,w1rH QUEEN VICTORIA

Nj, an officer Of great ntelligehce' a'iu a :.r
socated in work of much interest connected WIN.
the ancient Scripture history OF India, arf'ea'a sno
time SINCE in England, and his arrival, togeher WIN
some observations on the work IN whIch he was
engaged, appeared in The London papers. lew Gays
after, he was surprised to receiveat his ho'ehfougii
the Lord Chamberlain, an invitations or ralher ue-
mand, 20 dine at the palace at Wndsor-an hohor
which surprised him, as he was only just arrived
from India, and had been presented al COURT
He determined Of course, 10 comply and as lhe III
vation intmatet he was TO come IN court dress, ne
proceeded to his tailor, who fitted him out IN the u
sual adornment. At the castle he presented hlmseli
on the appointed day, and was received by the tall
magnificent foomen in scarlet lveries, one or two
of whom stood on each lank, and silent as muesbut
more gorgeous pointed their fingers III the dlrecuon
he was TO ,ake following the grand staircase, the
course this line Of brilliant finger post pointed out,
he enters one an,e-room, where was received oy q
high officer, and mnely directed to another, anu al
| length found himself in one where some gentlemen
similarly atlired as himself were waIng IN group.
He had lille trouble, as soon as he composed us
sens IS, after the usual scene through which he hao
passed, in perceivng that they, like himself, were in
yed to dinner and presently recognised one Of them,
an eminent historian, with whom he had been ac-
ouainled. Here they remained conversing for a few
minutes. when suddenly the folding doors at one end
Of the room were thrown open, and proceeded by the
Grand Chamberlain with his rod of Office, her MaJes-
tv. leaning OH Prince Albert, appeared, and without
pausing TO lake notice OF her guests, passed qulle
through the room in which they were,and outlhrough
correspoding doors, which led TO The dining or BAN
quoting room, OIL the other side; the company, a.
mong whom was NJ, falling in the rear, and 81,
ep,ly following They took :heir seats, Prince AL
bert next her Majesty and the other guests down the
table, which was not large, as the dinner party was
limited one.
There was no general conversation--he guests
snoke in subdued tones and The Prince only let fall
few words TO some one near him, until at length the
few words gradually grew fewer this, however, was
not so awkward as silent dinner party might seem
under other circumstances, as the magnificent band
of the CoIdstream Guards in an adjoining apartments
were playing the finest airs and good music is al a.
nv time better than Indifferent conversation Never
theess it was chilling scene and as soup, hsh and
flesh were handed round by the stall fellows IN GRIM
son, some, no doubt, thought they would prefer, as
general rule, less grandeur and more cordallty.-
Dinner concluded, Her Majesty remained short tlme
then arose. and again proceeded by the officer oil sate
returned to the drawing room, as suppose we may
call it, never having spoken all the time 10 the COM
pauy. The Princes mood, however, became more
hearty as soon as her Majesty had le and he led IN
general and lively conversation on antiquarian SUBJ
1ects, in which he displayed large reading and great
while iheywere thus pleasantly and intellectually
epesaef it was announced that her Majesty expect
Hen 6esehce 10 coffee, and they proceeded TO the
"a where the Queen, with her ladies in
waiting, waS Here matters again relapsed into The
same spletiid Slate Of silence as in the early part
of-sheseIifhefs Coffee was handed round, and each
guest muley slipped his cup regarding Majesty, II
one might so speak, from distance. While NJ -
was wondering when the signal to depart would be
given; the Grand Chamberlain advanced, and inform
ed him that Her Majesty had given orders that he
should be presented; lie therefore came forward to
where Her Majesty was seated in the same room,
and with as much form as though ne had not met her
at dinner he knet and touched with his lips the hand
that was offered and, this ceremony gone through,
again retired, fully expecting that this was an end oil
stately but somewhat stupid day.
But il was not so, for quarter Of an hour subse-
ouently he was informed that Her Majesty, who re-
tired 10 kind Of alcove recess, about as deep as
all embayed window, wished 10 converse with him !;
he accordingly presented himself before his Sovereign,
who; no longer in formal state; Immediately enter
ed with vivacitv and intelligence into conversation
on the particular and interesting; and. in many re-
spects learned subject in which he had been engaged,
showing in all her inquiries and observations well
stored, clear, and cultivated mind. When Her Ma
ies,y had conversed for some time, and sufficiently
informed herself, she rose. and NJ retired, and
soon after he and the other guests departed This
TO us appears strange but if Her Majesty had not the
prerogalive of speaking and being spoken to only
when she wished, The multitude of her company and
receptions would be laborous and wearisome.-
What blessing it would be five had the same hap
py privilege al times in private life, if were only
that we should not be obliged to listen 10 bores and
stupid people-Brist Times