Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1879-05-22
The English Royal Family.


4 Chapter sf Hate re sisg Z. ssstD.
iarper's BG-ar publishes a most inter
e-ttng account OF Queen Victoria aud her
children. and other members Of the English
Royal Family. from which We take the fol
lowing extract
One day last aututnn 10 50 chanced that
the writer Was given an cpQottnpUy nf
.seaccs peculiarly favorable for a critical
survey OF her Majesty. 10 the role OF look
.rs-on We watched her greeting some old
friends. and going through certain formal
introduciions, and the general Impression
conveyed was OF dignity with just tooch
OF hau!eur. aHabili,y that had not the least
trace II eondescenslon, q good-humored,
distinct voice. English Ia Its nodulation,
and a frank, gentle speech. In which there
was more unconsciousness aud natural
ness than could be expected OF one whose
semi-private uttersnces are always so
quickly made public.
Personally, the Queen to-day bears little
resemblance to the well-known picture
stamped on all the coins OF the reslm-thc
slight 1.-THE girl OF Is, upon whose brow
the crown OF three Kingdoms WAS laid in
1887 Our first impression 10 probably
on. OF disappointment a. to her stature.
She seems q short. stout little lady, with
face that nushes some what As she speaks.
with son brown hair. and the Guelph out
line OF feature which IL seen in the promi
nent noses and iull. slightly retreating
chlns OF 8" many OF the English royal fam
Ily Tine, OF course. has taken away all
the boom that once WAS part OF her pretti-
ness but her smile Is still charming, and
redeems her face from heaviness.
The court can hardly be called VictoriA's,
exceo, in name and In decorum. for the
Drawing rooms" are now generally held
by the Princess OF Wales. while most of
the Queens time is spent in seml-retire-
nent al Windsor. Osborne. or her fsvor.te
residence In Scotland, Balmoral.
Al Balmsral the daily life OF the court
might be most pleasantly chronicled, for
there Her Majesty seems hApplest, and
from this Scotch palace comes the most
genial stories OF her court. The household
Is admirably managed; there are two
housekeepers. besides the official function
aries. aud the Queen knows personally
every servant who is engaged In her ser
vice either In Scotland or England; n
large number Of the household domestics
are scotch; for the Queen chershes the
same liking which the late Prince Consort
used 10 have for Highland character. and
likes TO have them about her. To these
humble interiors she Is always extremely
s1able-a true lady, in fact. who knows
that kindness to . dependant Is never .
sacrifice Of dignity.
Passing the humblest housemaid Ut work
| In q corridor. the Queen frequently stops
| for kindly word or two; and very often
| the private .risfs Of her servants are
brought personally to her ears, aud though
| her Majesty has . reputation. not wholly
| undeserved. for elosenesss, she never fall
| TO help those among her depepdaD whC
are In distress. The Queens priv ate room:
wear an air Of very simple home comfort
her personal belongings, boOks. writing
materials. photographs Of the roy al fsmily
some fine painted portraits, and som'
picturesque souvenirs Of her hsppy jour
neyings giving them character. There Il
less "high art" In her MNesty's apart
ments than in those Of the Princess o
Wales. where every available space hal
its decoration In dainty bric-a-brsc or VA
ter-coior. but the draperies are rich ant
the furnishings ample and home-like.
The daily life Of her Majesty Is 30 simpl
and uneventful. that the monotonous bul
letins of the Court Circular include nearl
all its important details. There is semi
informal breakfast 1t nine, at which tn
! ITluCces Dc2tItCc, ucI UOtuct CousSsu
companion, and some lady specially Il
waiting. usually join the Queen; occa
sionaliv, however, her Majesty's brsakfas
is served In her private dining. groom. Ate
this the more personal duties Of her writ
ing table are attended to; letters are rea
and written. some special audiences given
and the morning is varied With walk o
drive, with oLe Of the pFincesses or lady
in-wsiting In attendance. The afternoon
routine includes many Of the ordinary eu
ployments OF any lady Of rank. Visitor
are usually ushered into the royal pre-
ence with . great degree OF formsiity
The dinner hour 10 invariably eight, an
throughout England upper ten follows th
royal lead In these matters.
The Queens servants are notably d.
voted TO her. 1t II well known that h'
iavorite attendant Is John Brown. Whs
ever idle tales were told Of this faithf
servants devotion, English dignity and Il
cOmmOn-senss Of nations have long SIN,
dung 70 the winds those nearest the Quet
know Browns usefulness. BeginniE
life as lad at Balmoral, be has work,
his way, by faithful discharge Of duty q
} shrewdness 10 al emergencies. to the po
he now holds-that Of confidential servar
He has curious faculty for masagii
those under him, ssd fund Of ''caan!