Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-04-08

Bayard Taylor AZ the Court OF King ONO.
ATHENS, Jan. Ii, lS5S-About nine O.
clock, there was stir in the halls beyond;
the crowd parted, and the King and Queen,
accompanied by the officers Of the court and
the ladies of honor, walked into the centre
of the ballroom The guests fell back, the
foreign ministers aud high officers OF state
pressed forward, and highly dIgofied circle
of some size was thus formed. The hing
looked remarkably well in HE Greek dress OF
blue ard silver; in fict, | saw no other cos
tune SO rich and tasteful as his. The Queen
wore PArisian dress, white tulle over white
satin. trimmed with roses, a coronet OF
pearls, superb diamond necklace and
crino;ne OF extrasagant diameter. She
turned toward the ladies, who, seated in three
rows, occupied one eide OF the ball room,
while the King addressed himself first to Sir
Thomas Myse, and atterward TO the other
foreign ministers IN succession. After he
had gone around the circle, he went of tU
the ladies', and the Queen, who had mean.
while formed the centre of large periphery
of criuoines, came forward aud saluted the
em hassadUrs.
The Marshal had probably stated that |
spoke German, as the King at once addressed
me in that language. lie is qcite near
sighted, and thrU't bis head forward close to
my face. as he spoke. lie is of medium
height, tOrtg-two years old, and has some
general mblance to Benedict, the CON-
poser. His head is bald on the crown, but
re wears large brUwn mustache which al
most cOnccas his upper lIp. His nose is
prominent, his chin pointed, and his large,
hazel eyes rather deeply set. The prominent
expression Of his face Is amabIlity, mixed
with certain degree OF irresOutlon. HIS
complexion is pale, owing 10 long continued
ii!-health, and he has an air OF WEAKNESS aud
sadness when his features are IN repose. The
throne of fielas Is evIdently not an easy CHAIR.
As IL young man, he must have been hani-
some.
lie commenced with a compliment, which
not knowing exactly how to reply to i'll
acknowledged with bow. A. he seemed at
u loss to know what to say next, took the
Liberty OF making remark, although tins
was rather an infringement Ut court etiquette.
The conversation once started, he spoke very
tluent!y and sensibly, questioning me par
tIcuiaTly about the iutilCuce vi climate, and
the method | took in order 70 acquire differ.
eat languages lie detained me sUme eight
OF ten minutes, after which | withdrew Into
The circle 10 await the Queens pleasure
Presently she sailed slDog, sparkling with
her diamonds ANA roses, aud the presenta-
tons were repeated to her IN the same order.
heU IN turn came, she addressed me IN
German, ~ a!mOs. tie same words a. the
kng. Her remarks related principally TO
me beauty OF Greece, aud to the weather,
which gave her OCCASION to state that during
the tweaty- one years Of her residence here, she
had never XuOwn so cold u winter. She is
near forty years Of age, rather under the me-
diam height aud inclluing t. cOrpulency. She
l. SAID 10 have been quite handsome, even 80
late a. five years ago, but reta'us very little
beauty now except sgch as belongs ~ robust
health. Her face Is large aud heavy, her
mouth long, thin ard hard, and her eyes OF
thar clear gray which 50 beautiful Ia gen
tie face, express a c0lIly gracious condos /
censlOn. She evidently never tJrgets that
she is a Queen. Her movements and mar
ners are certainly remarkably graceful and |.
self possessed, aud she IL witbal a woman OF |
viii, energy ana ambition. | watched the |
tive narrowly during part Of the evening, |
and hundred iudescTibable l!tlle traits !
showed the that tue am!ab,hty and kindness !
are all on tbs ilug's side, the pride, aGibl' (
:loG, and energy on the Queens. Neither |
one Is the ruler required by Greece.