Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1867-10-10
Anecdotes of Queen Victoria.

In the Chicago Advance, Grace
Greenwood relates the following
anecdotes of Queen Victoria:
A little anecdote, which shows her
simplicity of character and shrewd
ness of PERCEPTION, was told me by a
gentleman who once enjoyed the
pleasure OF a very formal Interview
with her, under very peculiar circum-
stances. My friend, MIR. W, is
person Of very artistic tastes-a
passionate picture lover. He had
seen all the great paintings in the
public galleries of London, and had
a strong desire to see those of Buck
ingham Palace, which, that not being
''show house, were inaccessible
to an ordinary connoisseur. Fortune
favored him at last. He was the
brother of a London carpet merchant
who had an order to put down new
carpets in the State apartments of
the Palace-and so it CHANGED that
the temptation came to my friend to
put on a workman's blouse and thus
enter the royal precincts, while the
flag, indicating the presence of the
august family, floated defantly over
the roof. So he effected an entrance
and when once within the royal halls
dropped his assumed character and
devoted himself to the pictures. 1t
happened that he remained in one OF
the apartments after the workmen
had left, and while quite alone, the
Queen came tripping in, wearing a
plain white morning dress, and fol-
lowed by two or three of her. young
er children, dressed with like sim
plicity. She approached the suppos-
ed workman, and said: "Pray, can
you tell me when the new carpet will
be put down in the Privy Council
Chamber" and he, thinking he had
no right to appear to recognize the
Queen under the circumstances, re
piled: Really, madam, / cannot tell;
but 1 will inquire" Stay" she
said, abruptly, but not unklndly,
"who are you? I preceive that you
are not one of the workmen."
Mr.. W, blushing and STAN
mering somewhat, yet made clean
breast of it, and told the simple
truth. The Queen seemed much
amused with his yuse, and for the
sake of his love of art, forgave it
then adding, smiling: 81 knew for
all your dress you were
a gentleman, because you did
not your Majesty me- Pray look
at the pictures as long as you will
Good morning. Come, Chicks we
must 60"
Another anecdote, illustrating Vic
toria's admirable good sense and
strict domestic discipline, came to
me directly from one who witnessed
the occurrence. One day, when the
Queen was present in her carriage
at a military review, the Princess
Royal, then rather wilful girl of
abont thirteen, sitting on the front
seat, seemed disposed to be rather
familiar and coquettish with some
young officers of the escort. Her
Majesty gave several reproving
looks without avail-''winked at her
but she couldn't stay winked." At
length, in flirting her handkerchief
over the side of the carriage, she
dropped it-too evidently not acci'
dentally. Instantly two or three
young heroes sprang from their sad
dies to return it to her fair hand
but the awful voice OF royalty stayed
them. "Stop gentlemen" exclalm
ed the Queen, 'sleave it just where II
lies. Now, my daughter, get down
from the carriage and pick up your
handkerchief" There was no help
for it. The royal footman let down
the stepts for the little royal lady,
who proceeded to lift from the dust
the pretty piece of cambria and lace.
She blushed good deal though she