The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1877-03-31

the note at least two clear days before the
drawing-room, and on application after that
time two presentation or pink cards will
be provided. On these the lady about to
be presented must write, legibly, exactly
what was on the first card, and take them
with her to the palace one to be given
to the page in waiting at the top of the
stairs, the other to be handed to the lord
chamberlain, who announces the name to
the Queen.
Ladies about to be presented should not
pat on their right hand glove; it must be
removed before the ceremony, as the hands
are fully occupied with the train, handker-
chief, fan, and cards 1t is by no means
necessary that the presenter and presentee
should go together; indeed, they often do
not meet, 1t is usual for a lady presented
on her marriage to be presented by some
member of her husbands family rather
than her own; but this is not absolutely
necessary if inconvenient. A lady pre-
sentcd as a bride, or young lady, must,
of course, wear white, with flowers con-
tanning very little or no color; but white
is not absolutely de rigueU for other pre-
sentations, though it is more general to
wear it.
Any lady who wishes to be presented to
her Majesty in person should be careful to
arrive at the palace in good time, as fatigue
sometimes compels the Queen to retire be-
fore the conclusion of the ceremony. The
palace doors are opened at two o'clock, the
reception commencing at three, and one
o'clock is not at all too early to start. On
reaching the palace the great hall is crossed
to the cloak-room, where wraps are depos-
tied; then, ascending the great staircase,
the lady delivers her first card to the page
in waiting, and, passing along the corridor,
(where are cards, pens, and ink, for those
who may have forgotten their cards. en-
ters the ballroom. This, like all the other
rooms, is filled with chairs, and, as each
room is filled, the gentlemen-at- at-arms, who
are on duty at each doorway, close the
crimson velvet barrier, and the next room
is filled in due order.
The first persons who pass the Queen
arc the members of the diplomatic corps,
of the government, of the royal households,
aud all those having the privilege of the
entree, who arrive and depart by different
entrance; after they have passed the rooms
are emptied in due succession The last
apartment before the throne room is the
picture gallery, which has to be crossed;
at the door of it the lady's train is taken
from her left arm, over which it has hith-
erto been folded, with the end outward, and
spread out by two court officials, and she pro-
ceeds across the gallery into the presence
chamber. At the door an official takes her
card and passes it on to the lord chamber
lain, who, just as the lady reaches the
Queen, proclaims the name audibly. If
the lady has been presented before, she
merely makes deep courtesy and passes
on but if not, she, while making her cour-
tesy, extends her right hand bare and palm
downward; the Queen places hers upon it,
and the lady touches it with her lips.
The only exception to this rule is when
the presentation is that of peeress or
peers daughter, when her Majesty kisses
the lady on the check. After passing the
Queen, courtesy must be made to each
member of the royal family present. The
Princess of Wales stands next to the
Queen, an then come in order, if they are
all present, Princess Christian, Princess
Louise, Princess Beatrice, the Duchess of
Edinburgh, the Duchess of Teck, the
Prince of Wales, Duke of Edinburgh, and
the other royal princes in succession. 1t
is seldom, however, that all are present;
the lady passes rapidly, and but little time
is allowed for making the necessary obeis-
ances. Almost before they are completed
the lady's train is restored to her arm by
the pages, and the ceremony is over The
lady then passes through another room into
the picture gallery, and can, if fatigued,
go down stairs and ask for her carriage at
once; or she can remain talking to her
friends, or 60 up to the end and watch the
trains being put down previous to passing
into throne-room.
When the Queen is fatigued, and retires,
the rest of the ladies are received by the
Princess of Wales, and u lady presented
under these circumstances merely courte-
sys, and does not kiss hands.
Full dress--low bodice and short sleeves
lis compulsory at court; no one is admit
ted without it, unless furnished with per-
mission. To obtain this, medical certifi-
cate must be forwarded to the lord cham
berlain's Office, stating that the lady is
unable, from the state of her health, to
wear low dress; this is submitted to the
Queen, and a permission is generally given,
which the lady will have to show on her
arrival at the palace. This permission
only lasts for one drawing-room. If the
lady is unable the next year TO wear a low
dress, she must obtain fresh medical GER
tiicate aud new permission.
Feathers and lappets or veil are also
compulsory, and, though colOred feathers
are very pretty and are often worn, they
are not considered such good style or so
thoroughly court dress as the orthodox
white court plume Ladies who have
lappets will do well to wear them; wells
are mcst uncomfortable in a crowd, and
are frequently the means of disarranging
the hair. Lappots are generally arranged
on the right side and feathers on the left,
Those who have jewels wear them, and
flowers are frequently worn also this, how
ever, is a matter oftaste. Trains are worn
either from the waist or the shoulders; If
the former, the bodice corresponds with
the train; if the latter, with the skirt. A
train should invariably be lined; the omis-
sion makes the whole dress look shabby.
There is always an intimation made
when drawing-rOom is announced that
gentlemen are not expected to be present,
excepting 10 attendance on the ladies Of
| their family" Even Of those who do 20,