The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1857-11-19


ed, so arranged that they formed immense beds
of gorgeous hue.
"Entering the state apartments, we tarried
in the yellow drawing-room until ten O'clock.
Then the guests withdrew from the centre Of
the room, leaving clear space like an avenue
between the hedges of the splendidly dressed
women. As we thus stood in eager expecta-
tion, the plate-glass doors Of the saloon were
thrown open; the Lord Chamberlain, with a
golden rod in his hand, walked in backwards,
the band struck up sGod save the Qneen,' and
Victoria, sovereign over many millions Of pee
pie, entered.
"By her side was the Queen of Hanover,
then the Crown Princess of Prussia and the
Duchess OF Gloucester. Next came the Ouch
ess of Kent and the Princess Mary Of Cam
bridge, the Duchess Of Cambridge and the
Princess of Hohenlohe, the Duchess of Sake
Coburg Gotba and the Duchess Of Souther-
land; then all the maids of honor and ladies Of
waiting. After these came Prince Albert and
the King of Hanover, the Prince Edward of
Sake Weimar and the Duke of Coburg Gotha,
the Duke Of Mecklenburg Strelitz and the
Prince of Hohenlohe, the Duke of Cambridge,
noble lords, gentleman in waiting, foreign Am :.
bassadors and Ministers.
"Quoen Victoria moved gracefully along,
smiling and bowing in a kind cordial manner
to the right and the left. Reaching the throne
room, she asceAded the canopied 'haunt pas
where she seated herself, surround ed by her
roval guests. The throne-room was a spa
cious and noble sa loon, hung with crimson sat-
in, the lofty ceiling supported by marble COL
ums and richly embiazoned, while around it
was a frenze also of white marble) represent
ing the swars of the roses.' It was brightly
Illuminated by the light which came from
crystal globes and golden candeIabra.
"Dazzing was the scene around me, re-
splendent as day with flashing diamonds and
sparkling gems There we've more than two
thousand guests: every lady in magnificent
toilette, and every gentleman in court dress or
in uniform. Soon delightful music from Jul
!ien's band (led by the famous composer him
self) filled the grand apartment with its ex-
quisite strains. Then the Lord Chamberlain
waved his golden wand, The crowd dew back.
and a large quadrille was formed, which con
sisged of her Majesty and all her royal visit
ers.
"Queen Victoria is much handsomer than
but her form is of graceful symmetry; and her
bust, rms, and feet are beautiful. A bright
and beamlng smile lights up her face Then
there is snch an air of honest earnest God
ness about her, genial manner, 81 lovely and
lovable, INV heart was quickly won,' and sim
cerely could have exclaimed, like her own
loyal subjects, God save the the Qleen. -
Her dress was Of white lace. embroidered with
straw and green silk; her hair parted on the
foreheai, and bound round her head, which
was encIrcled with wreath IF poppies, the
heart of each flower formed by large dia-
| mond. Around the corsage was band of
diamonds OF vast size, while perfect river OF
light seemed to fo,v around her neck and rest
upon her bosom She wore the blue riband
| (the Order of the Carter with clasp of ra-
diant gems
'During the danci g Of he second qua,rille
the Lord Chamberlain was Introduced to me-
and, after some pleasant words were exchanged
he remarked: 'As Won are the only person
here not present at the last drawing-room,
will have the pleasure, Madame, of presenting
you TO her Majesty
"Of course was delighted at this uneypec-
| ted and unusual compliment, as presentations
| at State ball are not frequent When the
| dance was over, and the Queen seated again
| the Lord Chamberlain waved his wand Of au-
thorlty, and the company drew back, leaving
space vacant in front Of the throne; then
approached, and was presented to her Majesty,
who advanced and greeted me in the most gra-
cIous and kind manner, smiling swestly as
courtesied low before her, and then passed on
to the group of distinguished and royal per-
| sonages who encircled her throne.
"That presentation was a bright and en-
chanting incident to me, and my heart bounded
with glad and gratifed emotions as gazed
upon the amiable and lovely Queen. She is in
deed worthy of the almost adoring affection
her people have for her. as
"Her Majessy danced every quadrile with
great spirit and evident delight. She tripped
gaily along with the joyous glee of girl and
the simple unaffected grace of child. She
looks exceedingly young. No one would sup
pose her to be the mother OF eight children
Her partners in the dance were usually her
royal visiters, although several times she Sc
lected as such some nobleman OF high rank
| The Maqus of Granby was one Of the persons
| thus honored. rH
"About two O'Clock in the morning the
Queen bade adieu to her guests. passing he.
tween two living walls, which lined the pic.
turs gallery. As in entering, she kindly bow
| ed and smiled, as the great door, paneled with
mirrors, closed upon her. Her sweet and ge.
| NAL manner was really charming, and low
murmur Of praise and admiration was heard OF
! every side. Her Majesty is truly an admira'
Bile woman, or else she could not posses. s,ict
| an influence over the hearts of her people
She is at once their pride, their boast, and
their example for all that is good and excellent
in the various relations OF life, as wife, moth
er, and sovereign.
"When Queen Victoria retired one of tn.
noblemen in waiting upon their Majestic.
most kindly became my guide around the sculp
ture and picture galleries. poiating out the fin,