The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1872-11-20
How a Queen Lives in the Country.

portion to their rank are they simple and
in their manners. 1t is the
parvenus-those who have got a little money,
but who have nothing superior in intelligence
or moral worth, who are "stuck up" trying
by their naughty manners to impress others
with an idea of their Importance, while those
of real rank and consideration are simple
and courteous to ALL The most illuStrious
example of this is the Queen of Great Bri-
tain. The correspondent of Scotch paper
thus describes her life at BalmOral, her home
in the Highlands
Nothing can be simpler 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 servants at Balmoral will tell you-speak-
ing of bygone days-that in Prince Albert's
time Balmoral was a picture of domestic
home full O laughing BARNS. "
F." And all! said one who had been favorite
nurse, "the Prince was fond O his bairnies,
and they doated on their father. He used
to play with them in the corridor-and sic
dafin and gleel The Queen, looking out of
her room, would stand and watch them with
a smile on her face And when the fun
grew boisterous, she would raise her finger
with a gentle hush, but the mither's heart
was wi them" The Prince is everywhere
held in loving remembrance Her Majesty's
habits are very simple. About seven she
prepares for rising, breakfasts at nine; after
breakfast she has her dispatches to look
after, for even in her mountain retreat the
Queens "mind is ta'en up wi the things o
the State" Then follows private correspon-
dence, 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 Lun-
cheon is at two o'clock, and in the afternoon
the Queen usually takes an airing in her
carriage. On the lawn in front of the castle
a picturesque white tent stands, and her Maj
esty passes much of her time in that snug
little corner. During meals the Queens
piper plays in front of the windows. Of
pipers there are several, l believe; Rosa, the
Queens piper, is chief, and it is ght to
see the handsome old Highlander in full cos
tune, 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 float
ing in the breeze.
The Queen dimes at halfpast eight; her
own table is spread in the library. Since
the Prince Consort's death her Majesty has
not made personal use of the dining-room;
the ladies and gentlemen of the Court dine
there. 1t is one of suite of magnificent
apartments, all of which are carpeted with
Stuart tartan, the hanging and draperies
being Victoria tartan. The ornaments in
the rooms are all Scottish in their tendencyS
The library, which is the innermost apart
ment in the suite, is cosy, comfortable
room, small by comparison with the others,
and-it has a look of brightness with its gilt
tering books and CHEEKY fire, and snow-white
table.cloth and twinkling tapers. There is
no ostentatious display, however, in the
Royal sanctum. The arrangements of the
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 woman of method, and were it
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 defes
the elements. 1t is quite common occur
renee to see her walking in the grounds un-
der drizzing rain. The weather, in fact,
has no influence upon the Royal programme
So far as concerns her Majesty's "constitu-
tional airings, good stout umbrella carries
her bravely through pelting rain or powder
ing snowdrifts, whether on foot or seated in
her open carriage, or trotting on her High
and pony. But there can be no doubt our
Queen is hardy woman; at least, she has
no "fne lady fancies" in the matter of con-
,titutional 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 a fresh, comely, sensible-looking lady
she is in her comfortable plain jacket and
broad brimmed straw hat
The Queens walks and drives are not con-
ined within her own policies; she crosses
he Dee almost daily, and is quite as often
seen on the opposite side of the river. She
always uses an open carriage, but not always
The same. Sometimes it is a wagonette,
sometimes low pony ph@t0n. No guard
If honor accompanies the royal equipage,
however. Her trusty attendent, John Brown,
its on the box beside the coachman, and
when there is not room for him there, he
'ides on horseback by the side of the car
age. No fuss attends the Queen. An out
ider little in advance of the royal carriage
,lears the road, aud the Queen goes quietly
IN her way with smile and nod for any
,ue who chances to meet her. But as rule
Ter Majesty is not intruded upon when she
centuries beyond the royal domains, unless
IN Sunday, and then it is strangers only
Who run after her. The cOttagers do not
.nnoy her, and she comes and goes without
nolestation. Indeed they make point of
:eeping out of the way when the white horse
# the outrider appears in sight. Should
he Queen, however, happen to come unex-
'ectedly on her subjects by Dee-side She is
acknowledged. The Queen and
Ter ladies frequently "picnic in the woods,
r on the hillside should it be handler. Ma
erials to make fire and cooking utensils
re taken in the carriage, and tea is made
n the green Sward and handed round in
nstin fashion without any ceramnnv. At