Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-11-05
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II,
(FOR THE COUNTRY
Published regularly on TU UESDAYS, THURS
DAYS and TURDAYS, at SIX DOLLARS
PER ANNUM, payable in advance.
.>I.t Royal Life atBaimorsl. i
Nothing can be simpler writes the CORES
poudcnt of Scotch newspaper) than the daily
routine Of life at Balmoral Castle, and this has
always been the rule with her Majesty when
free from the trammels of State. The old SER
wants at Bamora will tell you-speaking of by
gone days-that in Prince Albert's time Bal.
moral was picture of domestic felicity-"a
home full Of laughing bairns. land ah I"
said one, Wh6hdd been d fayorite nurse "the
Prince was fond O his barnies, and they doat-
ed on their father. He used to play with them
in The eorridor-and sic aathn and glee The
Queen, looking out of her room, would stand
and watch them with smile on her face; and
when the fun grew boisterous she would raise
her finger with gentle hush, but the mithers
heart vas wi them" The Prince is every
where held in loving remembrance. Her Ma
Iesty's habits are yerg simpless sAboutfsey
she prepares for rising breakfasts at nine; after
breakfast she has her dispatches to look after,
for even in her mountain retreat the Queens
Then follows private correspondence heavy
item in the Queens list Of duties. Two
special messengers convey the dispatches
to London, one to relieve the other, as
they travel day and night. Luncheon is at
> clock, and 10 the. afternoon the Queen.
usually takes an airing iii her carriage. On the
lawn 10 front of the castle picturesque white
tent stands, and her Majesty passes much Of her
time in that snug little corner. During meals
the Queen piper plays In front of the windows
Of plpers there are several, | believe, Rosa,
the Queens piper, is chief, and it is sight to
see the handsom old Highlander in full costume
marching proudly to tune as he plays pibroch
The pipes are sight Of themselves, with
their rich velvet mountiDgs and gay streamers
and royal banuer floating in the breeze The
Queen dimes at halfpast eight. Her own table
is spread in the library. Since the Prince Con-
sorts death her Majesty has not made personal
use of the dining room; the adiest and gentle
men of the Court dine there. IL is one of a suite
of magnificent apartments, all OF which are
c;rpeted with Stuart tartan, the hanglngs and
draperies being Victoria tartan The ornaments
10 the rooms are all Scottish in their tendency.
The library, which is the innermost5 apartment
in the suite, is cosy, comfortable room, small
by comparison with the others, and it has a
look of brightness with its glittering books, and
cherry fire, and snow white table CLOTH and
twinkng tapers. There is no ostentatlous dis.
play, however, in the Royal sanctum. The
arrangements Of the room are OF the sim
plest character, even to the dinner table.
\ very select party dimes with her Males
~ not even the Princess Beatrice. unless
on an extra occasion The Queen spends
much of her time alone in Prince Albert's
room. She comes quietly In to dinner, with
her knitting in her hand and retires early. 1t
is we'll known that her Majesty is a woman OF
method, and we're it otherwise she could never
~ u, op oha bo
is very fond of the open air, and 10 all wealth
crs she is to be seen abroad. A rainy day does
not keep her within doors; in her waterproof
and umbrella she de6es the elements. 1t is
quite common occurrence to see her walking
ia the grounds under drizzling rain. The
weather, in fact, has no influence upon the
royal programme So far as concerns her
Majesty's constitutional airings," good
stout umbrella carries her bravely through
pelting rain or powdering snowdrltts, whether
on foot or seated in her open carriage, or trot-
ting on her Highland pony. But there can be
no doubt our Queen is a hardy woman; at
least she has no Zine lady fancies'' in the
matter of constitutional delicacy. She does
not bother with superfuous wrappings when
she faces the ''snell'' mountain breeze; she
dresses consistently with the climate and the
weather, and fresh, comey, sensible-l looking
lady she is in her comfortable plain. Jacket
and broadbrinmed straw hat. The Queens
walks and, drives are not confined within
her own policies; she crosses the Lee a-
most daily, and is quite as often! seen on
the opposite side of the river. She always
uses an open carriage, but mot always
the same Sometimes it is a wagonettes
sometimes a low pony phaeton No guard OF
honor accom- panics the royal equipage how
ever. Her ,trusty attendant, John Brown, sits
on the box, beside the coachman,. and when
there is not room for him there; he rides on
horseback by the side of the carriage. No fuss
attends the Queen An outnder,a little IN ad-
vance of the royal carriage, clears the road,
and the Queen goes quietly on her way, with
smile and a nod for any one who. chances to
meet her. But, as the rule, her Majesty IS not
intruded upon when she ventures beyond the
royal domains, unless on Sunday, and then 1t is
strangers only who run after her,. The cottagers
do not annoy her, and she comes and goesWatnec o.
out moestation. j Indeed, they make point OF
keeping out of the way when the white horse OF
the outrider appears in sight. Should the
Queen, however, happen to come Unexpectedly
nm her subjects by Deeside she is deferentlaliy
Acknowledged. The Queen and her ladies' ire
ouently .picnic" by the woods, or on the hill
side should it be handler Materials to make
fire and cooking utensils are taken IN the gar,
riaee, and tea is made on the green sWard ana
handed round in rustic fashion without any
ceremony. : At these afternoon teas the
Queen has no special chair of honor. Her seat
is pretty often on the cump of tree, with her
cur CT in herhand, for any other casual resting
pIace that turns up conveniently; Excursions
are made also to various places Of interest," and
cvery corie and glen within reach has been
visited by the Royal Family: 49,. ).
JAMES RIVER AND KANAwHA, Canal Pro
JrIr From Major Anderson, who has just re-
tnrncd from the GrecubrieI region, we learn
that the work of surveying for the proposed
steamboat canal, to be called the James River ri
aud Kanawha canal, across the Stat, ofTWestt