, 1880-12-05
ROYAL DRAWING-ROOMS.
A Description of One Held by Queen
Vict0riu.

a DESCRIPTION 0f Ono Held by Queen
Victoria.
Ntw 1url: Home Journal.
Her Majesty generally holds four drawing
rooms in the course Of the year; two before
Easter, two after, and seldom later than the
month Of May. AS rule. young ladies are
presented by their mothers. Even il they
are presented themselves for the first time
the same day as their daughters. it is still
ell regle that they should make the presenta-
tlo11. But it is neces5ary-absolutely ncces-
sary-tllat the lady who undertakes the duty
shall he present ut the same drawing-roo,ll.
though slle may not even see the young girl,
and, except in the case Of relat ives, they
rarely go together, and do not for moment
think of passing the Royal presence together.
In asking any lady to make u presentation
to her Majesty it must be recognized as a
great kindness and favor, for she is person.
ally responsible. Unmarried ladies' do not
exercise the privilege OF making presenta-
tions. as soon as it is determined at which
drawing-room the young lady is TO make her
debut, the mode of proceeding is rs follows:
A card is sent in to the Ciianlbcrlain's Office
Stab}e-Iard St. James, oil which is written
the name Of the person. to be presented,
and 4: the person presenting. thus: Miss
H.,
panied by letter from Mrs. Smith, giving
necessary particulars ;.s to address, etc. and
saving that it is her Intention tn be- present at
the drawlllg-Ioonl Ut tile date fixed.
hrs Ils ,,' ','e!st ne done two elcar days at least
i1g been submitted for her Majrsty's ,pprov-
III, on application at the SAME. Office two pink
presentation c;trus will be. given. Oh wliic,
must bt: lttgibly written, as before, "Ailss
Smith, by her mother, Mrs. Smith, and ttcs.,
1uEiEt l3H taken IN t!1f4 n.t1A %,rif1 t,
s1ven 70 the pase-ln-waiting on first arriving
Ut t!le top Of the stairs, aud The other handed
to the Lord Chamberlain, who Stands beside
her Majesty, when the Royal presence is
re;clled: ana from this he will read in loud,
ciE:af voice the names to the Queen.
Inc proper Court dress is the next impor-
tant consideration. 4 young girl, OIL her
presentation, wears white, ;l,ui every lady at
tending the Court must have train, lappets,
court punes. and really low dress. So
strict are tile laws with regard to tIlis that
people are appointed To prevent ladies' pass
ing who tall short in any of these reouire-
ments. L was myself accompanied to Il
drawlns-room two or three years ago by a
proved too high on the shoulders for regula-
t1en; moreover She had only one small piece
OF tnlle III lieu of lappets, and before en-
tertng the presence Of her Majesty she
vas compelled to tear some tullc trimmings
from her dress and pin this on as another lap
pct, aud to have the bodice cut down On tie
shoulders and turned in. These lappets may
pc either really lace or blonde, with the ends
hanging at the back, OR two pieces of tulle,
which young iaties fiuu more becoming.
The width is mostly split in half, one entl
gathered On a thread, and so pinned on
White plulnes are esscntial.-tllree for mar
ried, two for unmarried women, placed in
such q manner that they can be distinctly
seen in front. The train must be at least
three yards long, and is generally four. 1t
Is sometimes cut In one with the bodice,
sometimes attached by braces to the shout
ders, sometimes plated on the shoulders, but
young la.ties generally have 1t sewn on at the
waist. Just now, white satin and brocade is
most used, with tulle skirts and Il profusion
Of white flowers. Pearls are considered the
most appropriate ornaments for dtbnIantc.
The dress must be well made and all the dc
tails well carried out Many-buttoned gloves
are worn, but when presented, before ap- |
pearing in the Queens presence, the right |
hand one must be removed, and this is gener-
ally slmpli1ied by not being put oil atall. Hay- |
lng handkerchief, a fan, the one glove, and |
the card TO hold, it is far better not to carry
a bouquet especially as the end Of the train,
neatly folded, has to be borne on the left arm.
The mode OF proceeding at drawing-room
IS as follows: The palace doors generally |
open at 9, the Queen entering the throne