Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-07-15
MISC A n Y
English Politeness--KOugh and TumDi
Scene in the Presence of the Queen.

Scene in the Presence of the Queen.
DRAWING ROOM ADVENTURE.
"a distinguished lady," thus narrates in The
London Times the adventures that befell her at
the late drawing ROOM
| fell into the line at few minutes after o.
clock in New Bond street, and arrived at the Pa.
lace at IA, ascended the crowded stairs, and
in due time reached the armory, where Joined
nv friends, the Countess Dowager of
her daughter, and two other ladies. We had no
gentleman with us, and were soon wedged in
the center of dense throng, momentarily in
creasing from behind, and as the bar was not
down, it was impossible to advance an inch, as
all the narrow limits of that apartment and the
next were filled nearly to sutfocation.
After waiting patiently for half an hour or
| longer we found the obstruction was removed,
and impelled onward by the vexed multitude in
the rear, we entered the room where our first
cards were received. This occasioned another
stoppage, but the gentlemen on duty were so a.
lert and adroit in receiving them that we got on
without much difficulty to the entrance OF the
"cha,nber of horrors" and were in the act of
entering when tall, athletic, burly, red-taced,
biped in deputy heutenants uniform, with a
short lady on his arm, having forced his way up
the side of the room, broke through all rules of
OrueT vi SOOu OlSSulue3 y ShuS"'SAi"S w "AS
tie himself and the lady into the room before us.
Perceiying his intentions to be desperate, | en-
treated him not to push till we were through
the doorway, where the pressure was already
trightfu "Kindly grant US a moments grace"
Sir, | said, 'and we shall all he through without,
difficulty, and you will follow in the line."-
Without paying the slightest attention to this
appeal he resolutely effected his purpose, and
that with such reckless disregard to the feelings
of the ladies with whom he came into contact
that was precptated over bench which had
been fixed, most improperly as II to continue the
obstruction of the narrow entrance. Ii l had
been aware of the circumstance might perhaps
have recovered my balance, but it was all the
surprise of the moment. l do not suspect the
author of the accident meant to commit an out
rage which might, had it happened in Queen
Elizabeth's days, when the Earl Marshal's baton
was not borne in vain, have been productive of
awful consequences TO himself. This was mere
ly the result of selfish desire of accomplishing
his own object of getting up to the pen as soon
as possible; and such collisions will continue to
occur so long as the time allowed for the recep-
ton is so unreasonably brief that every one is in
u manner under the apprehension Of being shut
out at four o'clock, after, when the doors
of the Presence Chamber are, | am told, inexor
ably closed against those who have not succeed
ed in getting through. Now, all the increase of
accommodation that may be devised will not
prevent this modification to the last comers.-
Hence the excitement, the impatience, and fero
city of the pushers and drivers, who are deter
mined to force their way to the Presence Cham
Der.
l think the evil might be easily remedied by
her Majesty herself if she could be induced to
perceive the expediency of giving her loyal sub
iects more frequent and easy access to the per
formance of their homage by having three Draw
ing.rooms in every mouth while she is in town,
and not fatiguing herself by standing. Why
should she not be seated Why should she re-
ceive the circle entitled to the privilege of the
eatree on the same day with the general circle,
for whose reception the time is thus abridged
into an hour or less in consequence, and great
vexation incurred by those who lind themselves
necessarily shut out? Unless this unpopular ar
rangement be altered fear worse evils than torn
dresses and broken ornaments to the visitors may
follow. In regard to my own accident, OF which
still bear the traces, am only too thankful |
escaped so well :; for though l fell on soft car
pet, the skin was broken and blackened on the
right temple, and my brooch and bracelet broken
by the violence of the fall, my dress torn, and
myself rudely shaken.
The ladies among whom | was precipitated
were very kind aud compassionate to me, ad-
ministering salts and eau de Cologne, so that
presently recovered sufficiently to proceed, tho
| had the modification of passing through the