Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1877-12-19
Court Ceremonies.

think "A few lines on the subject may
prove acceptable. \ court" consists
of reception by Her Majesty, TO which
no one can 90 who does not receive a
command so to do. These commands
are generally confined 10 the members
of the Diplomatic Corps, the Ministry,
members of the royal households, and
others holding official positions. II a
court is held, il is generally the first
court reception of the year-none took
place this season. Both ladies and gen.
tlemen are invited to a court, and pre-
sentations take place by command.
Drawing rooms are the means by which
ladies are enabled to he presented to
and to pay their respects to Her Majesty.
There are usually three in the year, one
before Easter. and two-of late years
with but one days interval between
them-early in May. This Spring,
however, there were two before Easter.
making four in all. Formerly, there
was also birthday drawing room
held on the day appointed for the official
celebration of the Queens birthday, 4
which no presentations could be made,
and at which no one could appear in
mourning; but since the death OF the
Prince Consort this has been abandoned.
Only ladies' are expected to present
themselves at drawing rooms, and,
though gentlemen are permitted to at
tend in company with the ladies of
their families. it is more correct for
them To attend the ierees specially held
for them. Due notice is always given
in the GGsetts of the day upon which II
drawing room will be held. Ladies
who have been already presented need
take no steps as to announcing their in
tention Of attending; they merely
drive 10 the Palace on the day appointed,
taking with them two large cards with
their names legibly written on them,
one to be left with the page in the cor
ridOr, the other given to the Lord
Chamberlain Office in st. James's Pal
ace TWO large cards inscribed with her
name and that of lady presenting her,
thus: The Countess OF o.. on acces-
sion to the title, by the Duchess of u
Mrs. Brown, on her marriage, by
LADY Green" Miss White, by her
mother, Mrs, White" etc. These cards
must be accompanied by a note from
the lady who is TO present her, stating
her intention of attending the drawing
room and presenting the lady. The
name having been submitted 10 the
Queen, two presentation cards msy be
obtained, on which the same words are
to be written rs on those left at the
office, and these are taken by the lady
to the Palace. Full dress" is COM
pulsory at a drawing room. The or
thodox costume comprises a train of an
average length of three yards, low
bodice (unless a special medical certifi-
cate and Her Majesty's permission to
wear a square cut bodice have been OBJ
tained), a skirt matching either the
bodice or the train, lappets or tulle
veil, and a court plume, consisting of
three white feathers for married, or
two for an unmarried lady. Ladies'
who are presented, kiss Her Majesty's
hand on presentation, with the eXcep-
tion of peeresses and daughters Of peers,
who are kissed on the cheek by the
Queen. When Her Majesty retires
from fatigue, and the Princess Of
Wales takes her place, Ladies' merely
/ a. IL. hanl- A laHy IL
presented when she first comes out, -
and again on any change of name or
condition, as ON her marriage, for in
stance Miss A., presented on coming
Earl of c., and grandson of the Mar
quis of ID. She i presented as Hon.
Mrs. b." on her marriage, as ''COun-
tess of G." on the death of her hus-
bands grandfather, and "a ''Marchio-
ness of D. on the death of his father.
The ceremonies observed by gentlemen
with regard TO presentation at lerees cor
respond precisely with those compul-
sory for ladies. \ gentleman is pre-
sented on first entering life, and at all
subsequent stages of his career. For
instance, an officer would he presented
as a sub lieutenant, and again on at
tanning each successive grade of rank,
the words son promotion" being ap-
pended to the presentation. Ii i more
correct that the presentation should be
made by the colonel of his regiment
than by a personal friend. Gentlemen
are also presented on change of name,
on receiving an appointment, on acces-
sion TO title-in short, on any change
of station. When the Queen holds a
lsuee in person, gentlemen presented
kiss her hand; when the Prince OF
Wales holds one on her behalf, they
merely bow. The dress at Ierees is, for
ordinary civilians, black velvet or
dark colored cloth coat of any color eX-
cepting blue (Which is appropriated by
didlomatics. ministers and members of
the household), made as dress coat,
but single breasted, and with a straight
collar and pocked flaps-these, the col
lar, and cuffs may he embroidered. For
drawing rooms, State concerts or halls,
breeehes, with silk stockings, and shoes
with buckles, must be worn; for lerees
trousers of cloth, or of velvet if the
coat is of velvet, with a narrow gold
strip down the side, are admissible.
White neckties, sword and cooked hat
are de rigueur. The old court dress may
also be worn-a cloth dress coat with
richly cut steel buttons on front, cuff
and pocket flaps, embroidered silk or
satin waistcoat, lace ruffies and jabet,
white stock, knee breeches, silk stock
ings, buckled shoes, bag wig at the
back of the head, etc. Officers wear
the full dress uniform of their rank.
Clergymen wear their academic robes,
Queens Counsel their silk gowns,
judges their full robes; of course,
when these latter are invited TO balls or
concerts, the robes are dispensed whit
and they appear as civilians. Foreign
ers wishing to be presented are pre-