The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-05-20
yICTORIA'S DRAWING.ROOM.
THE ETIQUETTE OF THE ENGLISH COURT.

THE ETIQUETTE OF THE ENGLISH COURT.
A PRESENTATION TO THE QUEEN AND THE FORMAL
TIES ATTENDING IT.
The drawing-room for the season will soon b
announced, says the London Queen, apd thos
who have never YET attended one and IropOs
doing so, may be glad OF few hints on the Ell
quetle Of the occasion. 1t is whispered, whethe
on good authority or no. we cannot say, that, II
consequence OF the crowded state OF the drawing
room held after Easter last season, more recep
lions are to be held this year.
Usually there are three drawing-rooms-tw
before Easter and one after. 1t Is curious tina
people who really ought to know better will con
continue to talk OF the birthday draw.Dg-room
the fact being that no such reception has been
held since the lamented death Of the Prince
Consort. At the birthday drawing-room no pre-.
sent atoms could take place, and no one could
appear in mourning those who attended 1t were
supposed TO be DESTROYS OF congratuiatlng the
sovereign on the ausplcious OCCASION. Al! the
drawing-rooms now held presentation draw
ing-rOoms, and it is with the etiquette Of these
we are principally concerned.
PRESENTATIONS.
The lady wishing to 20 presented must md a
lady willing to present her, and also attend the
drawing rooms at which she wishes to be pre-
scented; for al hough it is by no means nece ssary
that the two ladies should pass at the same time,
or even meet, it is absolutely dc fa9uer Il at a
drawing groom. This preliminary being arranged,
the pres enter gives her friend note addressed
to the Lord Chamberlain, stating Ler intention
OF attending ceria ain drawing room and OF pre-
senting Mrs. Jones. This note Mra. Jones leaves
ut the Lord Chamberlains Office at least two Gle
days before the drawing-room, accompanied by a
Target ard, on which is legibly written, : Mrs.
Jones, presented by Lady Brown" or g Mrs.
Jones, presented on her marriage by Lady
Brown"
From the Lord Chamberlain's office she re-
ceives, on application, tive pink presentation
cards. on which Presentation is marked in
large letters. These she takes to the palace
with her, giving one to the page-in-waitlDg at
the corridor at the top of the grand staircase,
and reservng the other to be given at the door of
the presence chamber, where it is handed from
one official to another till it reaches the Lord
Chamberlain, who announces the name to the
Queen. Care should be taken by the lady to
write her own name and also that OF the lady
presenting her very legitly, go that there may be
no danger Of mistakes. In the case OF the pre-
sentaton of bride, it is usual for her to be pre-
sented by her husbands mother, sister, or some
other member of his family, il possible and con.
veDient but this is matter OF TASTE not OF
necessity.
ON PRESENTATION DRESSES.
Presentation dresses for brides and for young
girls should be entirely white, no further color
being allowable than blush roses or apple Bios
SONS; but this rule is not arbitrary for more
elderly ladies indeed, it would look rather alb
surd in the case OF mother who is herself pre-
sented and then presents her daughters on the
same occasion One word here as to the feathers,
which form an essential portion Of the court
dress. fashion has been gaining ground Of
late years of having these plumes to match the
color Of the toilette, and they are certainly very
pretty aud far more becoming than the orthodox
white feathers, which are somewhat trying to any
but the most delicate complexlons.
Still. we are able to ray on excellent authority
that these colored plumes are regarded with
much disfavOr in the very highest quarters,
where they are considered as a departure from
the strict etiquette OF court costume, which i'm
peratlvely demands white feathers. Also, from
some remarks which we have lately heard,
people do not seem to BIO aware that booices, cut
either square or en- coeur, are not conside ed full
cress, and that ladies presenting themselves at
. drawing room SO alfred will be denied admis-
sion, unless provided with specisl permission
from the Lord Ihamberlains Office, to obtain
which doctors certificate Of the impossbility Of
the lady in question wearing a low dress with
safety, is imperatively necessary.
ON ENTERING THE PALACE,
ladies' cross the hall to large cloakroom, where
all wraps are deposited, and then, ascending the
staircase and passing along the corridor, enter
the hall, which is he first Of the suit of recep-
ton rooms. The room nearest to the presence
is reserved for those having the privi-
lege of the entree, such as the diplomatic corps,
members of the present and former governments, !
the great officers OF state, members OF the hous
hold, queens aides-de-cam and others. AS |
each room fills the doors arc closed by bar, |
presided over by two Of the gentlemen at-arms, |
DO rs to preve undue crowding; and as each |
apartment empties, those in the next room are |
admitted 10 fill il. This last room is separated |
from the presence chamber by the width of the |
picture gallery, and while crossing this the ladies
trains are spread cut by the attendants in wait |
ing.
II her Majesty is present, the lady about to be |
presented should take out her right-handed glove
before reaching the presence chamber, as it is |
On that hand that her Majesty places hers Tor the
ady to kiss. If the lady presented is
PEERLESS OR PEERS DAUGHTER,
ler Majesty kisses her on the cheek. If the |
queen IL not present II ere Is no kissing OF |
hands. In either case low courtesy must be |
made to each member of the royal family present |
" the ladv passes. To do this gracefully requires |
some dexterity, as very little time is allowed aud
he train lie taken up and thrown over the arm |
Almost before the requisite number OF reverenees
re completed.
All, except those privileged to remain in the
hrone-room, are supposed to leave the room at
,nce and either seek their carriages or, if not
atieue inger in the picture gallery to greet
heir friends and admire the various dresses.
ne reception of those entitled to the entree, who
inter at separate door leading from outside
Buckingham gate; the palace is thrown open an
,our BEFORE and tho who 60 early are the most |
likely to have the pleasure Of seeing Her Ma
esty, who is frequently obliged to retire from
atigue before the conclusion of the drawing
Dom.
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