Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-12-15
THE COMTE DE CHAMB0RD,S
COURT.
The Daily Life of a Bourbon Who
Relieves Himself - Every Inch n
KinR.,s

Relieves Himself Every Inch u
King.''
EPali Mall Gazeste.I
The Comtesse de Chambord is tall as gren-
adler, and bony. Her nose Is violently curved
and awry. The Comtesse is bereft of every
physical grace. Her voice is sepulchral aud her
ear inSeDsible to sound Yet there is something
In her which inspires sympathy. Tue harshness
Of her profile and her contour is redeemed by
the goodness OF the expression and the soft
dignity of her manners. Kindness and self
denial are the laws of her life. the Comte de
CT ambord Is impatit Mt OF anything that ap-
proaches contradict on. He will support no
opinion which is hot an echo or his own, and
reads only those journals which treat the ques-
t1aDS agltatiDg Europe from this point OF view.
The secretaries read the others, and when there
there is an article which has made a mark one
OF them calls bis attention to 1t. La COmteSse
de Chambord listens with kind attention to
every one who speaks to her aud is very patient
10 supporting the expression OF views
the Comte de Chambord, wn0 treats her with
puIctilious Difference and courtesy and who
initiates his kingly ancestors In his village gal
lantries.
Madame has court around her OF old French
and Austrian dowagers. Every fortnight the
series of courtiers are changed when the royal
pair are at FrOhSdOrf. Chateau life there is dull
and ceremoniouS for the ancient ladies. Tho:e
who like walking, riding, shooting are free the
whole morning and afternoon TO walk, ride or
shoot But all visitors are expected TO be in
evening dress In the saloon of the chate III be-
fore the ringing of the second dinner DELL. No
excuse Is held to 6e acceptable even from 50
guerite. fair-haired, pale-complexioned
Hpug," devoid of external as OF moral dignity,
Marguerite is the neice OF Monsiegneur
as they enter the saloon, fall into line on the
right hand side, and gentlemen on the left
About the time they have formed a seml-circle
the Comte and the Comtesse de Chambord are
ushered In. The august couple address a few
civil or cordial words to each person just to
show they ale aware OF his or her presence. and
are glad OF it. Madame is HapSburg d'ESte,
and was brought up In the observation of Ger
man etiquette. Her civilities at her evening
ce1 Gle are measured according to the rank Of the
lady or gentleman before her. She has formulas
for each visitor. which are replied to in duinb
show, as she is very hard OF hearing. When
the Comte and Comtesse de Chambord have got
TO the end OF the semi circle maiOr-dOmO
who has been looking through keyhole, filings
.'MoDseigneur is served" MOnseigueur and
Madame proceed arm In arm to the dining
room, and their guests and courtiers slngy.
Places are marked. according TO the rules
OF precedence established at Versailles Mon
seigneur is true to his blood In the play OF his
knife and fork. The name OF Bourbon was
man." The Comte de Chambord eats ike the
Bourbon kings, his ancestors, with yoracity,
and boiling what the fork rapidly transfers
from his plate to his mouth. His hunger some
what appeased, the play OF the knife and fork
SlackenS. He remembers that he Is In company,
looks round and sets the example OF talking
Ills table talk Is commonplace and little pomp
Gus In the manner OF It's delivery. Monseigneur
afiiTms, II politics are touched upon; and those
whom he distinguishes" by addressing assent.
BY the end OF the dinner he Is in a state of re-
pletion. During the early phase Of the digest
I've process his temper Is not smooth; It Is best
When he Is neither hungry nor repleJe
He eats, drinks and sleeps well, and is not
troubled with govt. Monselgneur enjoys his
attitude OF king in portjbUs and takes an au-
thor's pride Ia those letters which from time to
time he sends TO the Union. His paternal
Instincts crave for satisfaction They have been
thWarted by the bolsterous Dona Marguerite
ana the wild Carlos. Marguerite is q ripe hoy
den. She blurts out In most uncourtly manner
her reasons for squabbling with the Dom her
husband In the queenly faculty of being able
10 grin and bear 1t she 1s DO adept. At Versailles
the Queen had the honor TO provide heirs to the
THRONE and was expected to lead dull, SANITY
HE, while the mistress ruled the court and
camp and was the center or all the gay aud
brilliant company. Carlos, though an old court
prince. does not want his wife to be a goody-
goody saint, whatever her uncle would ike her
TO De. and he does not wish to quarrel with her
Tor maintaining that sauce for the goose Is sauce
for the palder.