Smyrna times., 1872-12-18
Royal Life at Balmoral.

routine OF lie at DalulOral CaStle anu tnlS mas
always been the rule with her Majesty Queen
Victoria, when free from the trammels OF u
state. About seven she prepares for rising,
breakfast at nine; after breakfast she has her
dispatches to look after, for even in her Il
mountain retreat the Queens mind is ia en- r.
upwith the things O the state. Then follows b
private correspondence, a heavy item i'll the a
Queens list of duties. Two special messengers &
convey the dispatches to London, one to
relieve the other, as they travel day and night.
lucheOn is at two clock, and in the afternoon y
the Queen usually takes an airing In her
carriage. On the lawn in front of the castle
picturesque white tent stands and her Majesty I
passes much Of her tine in that snug little
corner. During meals the Queen piper plays
in front Of the windows. OF pipers there
are several, l believe; Rosa, the Queen
| piper, is chief, and it is sight to see the
handsome old Highlander in full costume,
marching proudly to time as he plays pibroch.
! The pipes are sight Of themselves, with
their rich velvet mountings and gay streamers,
and royal banner floating in the breeze.
The Queen dimes at hlf-past eight her
own table is spread in the library. Since the
Prince Consort's death her Majesty has not
made personal use Of the diDing-rOOm; the
ladies' and gentlemen Of the court dine there.
t 1t is one of a suite of magnificent apartments,
all of which are carpeted with Stuart TARTAN
. the hanging and draperes being Victoria |
tartan. Inc OTUdulCIljS Ill IUG IOOn arc all
Scottish in their tendency. The library, which |
q is in the iDnermost apartment in the suite, is a
: cosy, comfortable room, small by comparison
n with the Others and it has look OF brightness
J. with its glittering books and CHEEKY fire, and
n snow white tabeclOth and twinkling tapers.
! There is no ostenta:iOus display, however, in
l. the royal sanctum. The arrangements Of the
IS room are of the simplest character, even to
II the dinner-table. A very select party dimes
1t with her Majesty, not even the princess
N Beatrice, unless on an extra occasion.
e. The Queen spends much of her time alone
in Prince Albert's room. She comes quietly in
rs to dinner, with her knitting i'll her hand, and
I'd retires early. 1t is we'll known that her
1t Majesty is a woman of method, and were it
)u otherwise she could never get through the
to amount of work she does. She is very fond of
n. the open air, and in all weathers she is to be
IN seen abroad. A rainy day does not keep her
We within doors in her waterproof and umbrella
Ilr she defes the elements. 1t is quite common
u occurrence TO see her walking in the grounds ii
OF a drizzing rain The weather, in fact, has ne
'h- influence upon the royal programme. SO ta
lu- as concerns her Majesty's constitutional air
Ter imgs" good stout umbrella carries her brave
The through pclting rains and pOwderlng snow
ter drifts, whether on foot or seated in her ope
do carriage, or trotting on her Highland pony.
lre But there can be no doubt our Queen Is
the hardy woman; at least, she has no ''hne lad
Ia0CleS III the vi
She does not bother with superfuOus wraI
K" pings when she faces the Smell mOuntai
breeze; she dresses consistently with tn
climate and weather, and a fresh, comel,
ltry sensible looking lady she is in her comtortab
to plain Jacket and ad-hrlmmed straw ha
tied The Queens walks and drives are not cOniine
the within her own policies she crosses the d.
ItOn almost daily, and Is quite as often seen on u
over opposite side of the river She always uses
con open carriage, but not always the sam
ash Sometimes it is a wagOnette. sometimes lo
I, of pony pheton. No guard of honor accompanl
OF the royal equipage, however. Her trus
t in attendant, John Brown, sits on the box besl
at the cOachman, and when there is not roc
A tor him there he rides on horseback by I
light side of the carriage
try No fuss attends the Queen. An outrider
side, little in advance of the royal carriage clears
ther, road, and the Queen goes quietly on her "
with a smile and a nod Tor any one W
anu. chances to meet her. But rule
,ruey Majesty is not intruded upon when she V,
has lures beyond the royal domains, unless
ense Sunday, aud then it is strangers only who !
wiser after her The cottagers do not annoy /
dame and she comes and goes without molestal
vorce Indeed, they make point of keeping out
From the way when the white hGrse of the outrl
,nally appears in sight. Should the Qdeen, hC
ever, happen to come unexpectedly on
repu- subjects by Deeside, she is dcterentl
et by acknowledged.
ral of The Queen and her ladies' frequently :,
mic in the woods, or on the hillside shoul'
, Mr. be handler. Material to make hre
sband cooking utensils are taken in the carriage,
rs the tea is made on the green sward and nan
sr had round in rustic fashion without any cerGm'
child, At these afternoon teas the Queen mas
lel es- special chair of honor. Her seat IS pr
Dw af- often on the clamp of tree, with her cul
augh- her hand, or any other casual resting p
ter of that turns up conveniently. excursions
ldame made also to various places OF interest,"
ontro every corre and glen within reach has
everal visited by the royal family.
uently 1t would be well: indeed II some OF our
these gud fine ladies at Newport and elsewhere
their never stir out except in carriage dress IN
S that and satins changed thrice day; and can
wife, only in constant whirl OF vapld society; G
trough take example from the SIMPLE Wholes
claims pleasures of the first lady In England.
Jumnl -~~-----------