The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1863-04-10
Mtstellalleous.
Tho Life Of q Queen.

Queen Victoria, ,aftor rising at about seven
and attending service at the chapel, takes
breakfast, looks at the newspapers, visits her
children, and then affairs OF state occupy her
till about noon. The public affairs OF the
nation at nm end, the Queen now receives
visitors, who have either boon specially invi.
ted, or persons who have been honored with
hers commands" to attend ut the Palace
Among these latter ure artists aud publish
ers. Who have rare and novel works to show
her Majesty, or her likeness to tako I; persons
intrnsted with presents for the avary foreign
ers with special introductions from their own
sovereign, tradcsmcn, with articles which
the Queen is dcsirous of purchasing. and 80
forth. Aftcr these folks have been dismissed
the royal family take their lunch at which
the Queen eats and drinks heartily. Tho
horses and carriages are then brought to the
door, and her Majesty either rides or drives
out for three or four hours, frequently taking
this opportunity Of visiting some OF tho nobil
ity, the Duchess of Cambridge, the Duchess
ofIverness, or even lin the country poor but
worthy people who are confined by sickness.
Her Majesty's kindness to the suffering of her
own sex Is provcrbial. It IL on record that
when Mrs. Warner. tragic actress OF excel
lent character, was i'll of disease which al.
timately carried her to her grave, tho Queen
sent carriage every day thatshc might have
the advantage Of pure air. On her return
home tho Queen spends an hour in her private
boudor or library and then dresses for dinner.
A dinner Mt tho palace has always been u
very stately, dreamy, tedious affair. Tho
table service is Of course superb-gold plate,
Seryres porcelain, alabaster vases, flowers,
brilliant chandeliers, servants in scarlet coats
and powdered heads. military band perform
ing in an antc.room, and many ladies and
gentlemen at the table in iull.dres costume.
A profound silence rcigns through the meal,
only broken by the voice Of the Queen ad.
dressing herself to one or Other OF the guests.
who arc expected to limit themselves to di'
rect reply. General conversation is carried
on in whispers only. A great variety Of
wines arc drank at the royal table, tho
Queen and Prince Albert confining them.
selves chiefly to German (Rhine) wines
After dinner tho party ajournes to the
drawingroom, and thcro the Queen casts
aside all ceremony and gives herself up to in.
noccnt pleasures, and the promotion of tho
enjoyment Of her guests and family. IL tho
party be not large chamber concert or q
dance is improviscd, tho Queen herself taking
a prominent part in tho singing and dancing
The objects of interest to tho stranger 10 'h'
suit of drawing.rooms arc numerous nnd '"c
Queen is not slow to invite attention 10 ana
explain thcm--a bospitable Office, IN which
she is cordially sustained by tho Princess ana
Princcses. and tho ladies and noblemen OF
tho household. There are magnificent vases
statues of marble. bronze. and alabastcr
glorious pictures by the first masters, ancient
and modern port fOlios Of cngravings, mu'i.
cal instruments, curious articles OF reriu, &C.,
&c. All is life and abandon. At half past
eleven. or earlier, the Queen rctircs, grace.
fully courtcsying to the company, the ladies.
in.waiting and the lady guests acknowledging