The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-11-22
Queen yietorin at Home.

The queen dimes at $3.50; her own tab
is spread in the library. Since the prime
consort's death her Majesty has not mad
personal use Of the dining-room the ladie'
and gentlemen Of the court dine there. i
is one of suite of magnificent apartments
all of which are carpeted with Stuart tar.
tan, the hangings and draperies being Vic.
toria tartan. The ornaments IN the rooms
are all Scottish in their tendency. The Ii
brary, which is in the innermost apartment
in the suite, is cosey, comfortable room,
email by comparison with the others, and
it has look of brightness with its glitter
ing books and CHEEKY fire, and snow-white
ia .o-cloth, and twinkling tapers. There
is no ostentatious display, however, in the
royal sanctum. The arrangements of tho
room are of the simplest character, even to
the dinner-table. A very select party dimes
with her Majesty, 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 well known that her Majesty is q
woman of method, and were it otherwise
she could never get through the amount Of
work she does. She is very fond of the
open air, and in all weathers she is to be
seen abroad. A rainy day does not keep
her within doors; in her waterproof and
umbrella she delies the elements. 1t is
quite common occurrence to see her walk
ing in the grounds under a drizzling rain.
The weather, IN fact, has no influence upon
the royal programme. So far as concerns her
Majestys constitutional airings,"a good
stout umbrella carries her bravely through
pelting rain or powdering snowdrifts,
whether on foot or seated in her open caIs
riage, or trotting on her Highland pony.
But there can be no doubt our queen is Q
lady fancics" in the matter of constitution
al delicacy. She does not bother with Sc
perflnous wrappings when she faces the
''sIell" mountain breeze she dresses coll
sistently with the climate and the weather,
snd ? fresh, comely, senslble-looklng lady
ahe is in her comfortable plain jacket and
broad-brimmed straw hat. The queens
walks and drives are not confined within
Ter own policies; she crosses the Dee aln 3
daily, and is quite as often seen on the OBJ
posite side Of the river.
She always uses SD open carriage, but
not always the same. Sometimes it is a
Wagpnette, sometimes low pony pheton.
No guard Of honor accompanies the royal
equipage, however. 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 optrlaer, Q little In advance of
the royal carriage, clears the road. and the
queen goes quietly on her way with smile
and nod for any one who chances to meet
her,
But, as q rule, her Majesty is not intruded
upon when she ventures beyond the royal
strangers only who run after her. The cot
tagers do not annoy her, and she comes
and goes without mOlestation. Indeed,
they make point of keeping out of the
way when the white horse Of the outrider
appears in sight. Should the queen, how
ever, happen to come unexpectedly on her
subjects by Decade she is deferentially ac-
knowledged. The queen and her ladies FREE
quently picnic in the woods or on the hillside
should it be handler. Materials to make
fire and cooking utensils are taken in
the carriage, and tea is made on the
green sward and handed round in rustic
fashion without any ceremony. At these
afternoon Nteas'' the queen has no special
chair of honor. Her seat is pretty often
on the clump of tree, with her cup in
her hand, or any other casual rest
ing place that turns up conveniently. Ex-
cursions are made also to various places of
interest, ana every corrie and glen within
reach has been visited by the royal family.
1t would be well, indeed, if some Of our
ianguid fine ladies at Newport and else
where, who never stir out except in a car
ciage, dress in silks and satins changed
thrice day, and can exist only in whrl
Of yapid society, could take example from
the simple, wholesome pleasures of the
first lady in England.