Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1877-07-04
Grant and Victoria.

The following is tull cable account
of the Queens reception of Gen Grant
and party at Windsor Castle, on Tues
day evening: Sir Thomas Biddulth
had been delegated to receive Gen.
Grant at Windsor Station, but he
was not punctual, and the arrival was
therefore sunceremonious. Indeed,
Judging from what trauspired subse-
quently, it must have been premature.
AS they arrived at the castle it was
announced that her Majesty and the
Princess Beatrice were out driving in
the great park. 1t was intimated then
that the party had arrived somewhat
before the time it was understood at
the court, and consequently the Queen
was not there to receive them. Gen.
Grant did not express any disappoint
ment, but seemed desirous of utilizing
the time he would have to wait by ex-
aminiag the grand pile of buildings,
especially the first fortress of the
group, which was built by William the
Conqueror. After waiting few min
'utes the party entered the celebrated
Lancaster Tower and repaired to the
apartments where they were to await
the return of the Qneen.
At $50 o'clock the Earl and
Countess of Derby arrived, and it was
then expected that they had come by
appointment to be present at the intro
duction, hence it was thought the
royal hostess was not far off. As the
Castle bell struck s commotion was
observed among the guards below, and
in a few seconds the royal equippage
was seen to enter the courtyard aud
the Queen alighted. Her Majesty
looked snn.bnrnt and somewhat i'll
humored. At $50 the Queen, sur
rounded by the members of the house
hold, received the Americans in the
magnificent corridor at the door leading
to her private apartments in the quad
ranole.
Dinner was served in the Oak Reom
according to custom, which reserves
St. Georges Hall for state banquets.
The party was small because etiquette
requires that the queen shall converse
with every guest. The introductions
were made as follows: Minister Pierre
pont, advancing, introduced Gen.
Grant. Then Lord Darby stepped
forward with Mrs. Grant. The Queen
shook hands with them. while the
ladies in waiting simply bowed. This
formality at an end, the gentlemen led
the way to the Oak Room. The
Queen sat at the head Of the table.
On her right were respectively
Prince Leopold, Princess Christian
aud Gen Grant; on her left Prince
Christian, Princess Beatrice and Min
lister Plerrepont. Then came the
Duchess of Wellington, Lord Elphin-
stone and Mrs. Pierrepont, Lord
Derby and Mrs Grant, the Duchess of
Roxburgh and Lord Biddulph, the
Countess Of Derby and Jesse Grant.
During dinner the band of the Gren,
adler Guards, under sDan Godfrey,
played in the quadrangle. The en-
joyment of the party was unconstrainsd
the Queen taking a prominent part in
the lively conversation, during which
all kinds Of topics were discussed
American and English, political and
social. The Princess Beatrice is a
brilliant conversationalist, and she was
particularly interesting on many Am
erlcan social topics, which she thor
oughly understood. Most of the ladies
were dressed in black, with white
trimmings. owing to the deaths recent
ly Of the Queen of Holland and the
Duke OF Hesse-Darmstadt.
After dinner the Queens party pro-
eeeded to the corridor for the purpose
of enabling the visitors to examine il
more closely. At abort 10 o'clock
Her Majesty shook hands with her
lady guests, bowed to the gentlemen
and retired, followed by other members
of the royal family present. The
guests then entered one of the mag
nifcant drawlng-rooms along the east
front, where they were entertained by
the Queens private band Refresh.
ments having been served, Gen. Grant
and Minister Pierrepont played whist
with the Duchsss of Wellington and
Roxburgh, during which, of course
the gentlemen were beaten. Pierre
pont played badly, SO did the ex
| President.
At ll:3O the Americans retired tx
their rooms, which were in a differen
part of the palace.