Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-04-22

n heOyai
At this season, except that fashion is slight
ly less busting in Lent, London is generally
very much live-taking its tone from the
Court. Queen Victoria's little dinners al
ways drew certain number of invited-no,
of commanded guests, for the etiquette is, not
that Royalty requests the pleasure of ones
company, but orders it. Indeed, so very au-
tocratical is the system, that, supposing YOU
had arranged to give a dinner to number
of your own friends, and received card
from the Lord Chamberlain OF the Queens
household desiring you to dine, on the same
day, at the Queens table, there is no refus-
ing, on any other plea than that of positive
illness Not to go would be a sort of petty
treason, and you would have to send circu-
lar round to your own guests stating that the
Queen commands, compelling you to dine
at Buckingham Palace, also compelled you to
uninvite them.
Not that, except the honor and glory of the
thing, there can be much comfort or satisfac-
ton in having ones legs under the Royal
mahogony. First of all, the guest must put
himself into Court dress, which makes him
look like footman in private life, with knee
breeches and silk stockings, lace cravat and
rufiies, amplest of waist-coats and shad bellyist
OF coats. Then, if he does not keep his own
carriage, he must hire one. looking ike pri-
vate vehicle, for ii Is doubtless whether, since
creation commenced, any one ever tcdLked to
a royal dinner-and the idea of going thither
in cab would probably have a mortal effect
on the enormous porter, in scarlet and gold
toggery, who receives your card of invitation
when he admits YOU. For, supposing all the
preliminary trouble ended-supposing that
you have founG your way TO the Queen, and
steathily looked around at the pictures, and
counted over Gall this time In solemn silence)
the spots or flowers on the carpet for the tenth
time, and marched in file into the sale de
manger-supposing all this, do not imagine
that YOU are a going to enjoy yourself No,
indeed. None but Mark Tanley could be
'.lolly" at such a feast.
Royalty has already dined. about three
o'clock, probably off the hereditary leg of
quaAtum of rice-pudding and the bit of old
Cheshire. or rich Sutton. or double Glouces-
ter cheese. and imbibed the accustomed mug
or two of Guinness or Meux. This repast,
called lunch, is really a good, homely, filling
dinner and at the solemn repast, five hours
later, people are expected TO sip and taste
through several courses, so that one Is remin-
ded of the famous feast Of the Barmecide
The viands are of the best, the cuisine per-
feet, the vintages superb-but one can merely
taste. Royalty's appetite was blunted off on
the leg of mutton and the pudding, the
cheese, and the bottled porter, and the guests
should have taken the edge of theirs by a
similar process
AT these sadly solemn reunions, dull silence
grimly reigns. There is not even a whisper
TO your neighbor-if YOU knew him. The
etiquette is, do not open your mouth unless
royalty expressly condescends to speak to
YOU. Do not expect such compliment
That is reserved for a few favored guests in
the immediate vicinity of the regal hostess.
The dinner occupies from sixty to ninety min
utes, and when ended. the Queen rises, all
other ladies' rising and retiring with her.
The male guests remain some ten minutes
longer, silently slipping their wine, or whis-
penng in small knots, with bated breath.