Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1881-07-08
Webster's Visit to Queen Victoria,

August ), 1889. After the introduc-
tion of the Dukes lit being considered
etiquette to 90 so). we left our rarles
on the visiting list of the ,liiferen.
members Of the royal family on Friday
last, instead of leaving a card, which is
never done in this case. The porter of
the gate produces the visiting book,
which is handed into tie carriage, to
which We added our names.
Mr.. and M;s. Webster are to-day t.
have the honor OF dining with hcl
majesty. Julia und myself have re-
ceived royal command to appear at Il
small party at the palace atterwarl.
Mr.. Rogers has been sitting with us
and We enjoyed for IN hour his delight
fnl conversation. Declining an invita-
ton from the Dowager Lady Charlie.
vile. and punctually at three o'clock,
the hour named, Julia and myself left
our lodging for buckingham Palace
Alone ard unattended, except, OF
course, by our footman, We approached
the royal residence, guarded about the
porticos by "Ieomen of the Guard.
We entered and aecended the grand and
otottCiy IutsA DtG bbt4lNSGoS WAtn ~ Olutl
companions than its numerous attend.
ants ranged on each side, even to the
door OF the mirrored saloon, where her
majesty was. Mr.. Webster and NIr.
Charles Murry were awaiting our ar
rival at the doorway. The Lord
Chamberlain instantly advanced and
signitied briefly, that it was the queens
pleasure we should Immediately ap-
proach the royal presence and make ouI
devoirs. This we did in the best way
we were able, Il Q Queen in the mos
gracious manner acknowledging our
courtesies, and pronounciug in a loud
and distinct voice our separate names
| soon perceived by certain emotions
that something was about 10 occur
Lady Forbes and others, who were neal
me at the doorway, instantly fetreated
en- face into the adjoining room ans
formed line on each side. Througf
this the Lord Chamberlain appeared
backing forward, followed by others ii
office about the household. Soon tht
Queen appeared. and from the opposite
gallery, into which he had backed, ap
peared the royal family, including thG
Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and
Princess Augusta. They advanced
placed themselves IL line. and hel
majesty embraced them all, kissing
each. She then passed on, saluting
others stationed each side, and entered
the dancing room. The throne room
was the dancing room; the Queen COM
menced tho first with the hereditary
Duke Of SAKE Weimar. Her majesty
was dressed with great simplicity, iu /
white tulle over white satin, trimmed
with pink roses, and pink roses in hel
hair, and @ diamond necklace ioopei
behind in the braids of her hair, and {
diamond fsi5aic-e. Mrs Webster ap
peared to have highly enjoyed the roya
dinner. Two bands were playing il
adjoining apartments. The Queen va
first helped, on all occasions. at tb'
close of the dinner the Queens healtl
was drank, all standing, she alone sit
ting and bowling all around during th
ceremony. Mr.. Webster had lonl
conversation with her majesty, ant
thought her intelligent and agreeable
She is also said to be energetic an,
with decided will of her own. Or
recent occasion she thus replied 4
Lords Melbourne and Palmerston, wh
were urging her on some point t
which she was averse. "What is tn
use Of being queen if one cannot d
as one likes?"
Her majesty appeared to highly en-
Joy the dance and was ready with he
little foot forward to commence tn
first moment the music sounded. 4
the Princess sVictoria, she was cela
brated for her charming singing wit
the pianoforte. but as Queen these az
complishwents are considered as III
dignitied, and her voice is now hear
, only in the privacy of her own close
and never in the drawing rooms of I'll
palace, as formerly Mrs. Page
,, Diary, in the Dartmouth.