Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-04-26
PEEPING TOW.
Labouclsere is Shocked by the Sight Of
the Beauties, Biue.n0sed, Naked
and Ashanied,'' Who COngregale at
the Queens DraWing.Ro0m.

There is probably no capital in the world
says the veracious Labouchere in Truth where
the custom of paying respect to the titled rep
resentatives OF a court system is carried on
under circumstances of such aggravatng
cruelty. London drawing-room in the
reign of Queen Victoria is when care
fully considered, as discredtable and in
human spectacle as can be conceived
and. though the evils attendant on the inst-
tuition have been pointed out over and over
again. though they must be perfectly familiar
to the court authorities. to the court advisers
and to the Polonius Of the period, yet things
60 n in the same stereOtyped jog-trot system
and no steps whatever are taken to protect
loyal subjects from the frequent discourtesies
and many insults to which they are subjected
With scant consideration for comfort, or even
decency. the principal drawing rooms of the
season are fixed at time Of the year when the
weather Is most treacherOus and those who
attend them are compelled to appear in a cos
tune quite out of character with ceremony
that is to take place at daylight Take the case
of a delicate young girl-Or. indeed of any ordi-
nary fragile beauty who desires to pay her re-
spects to her majesty, or to the chosen repre-
sentative of her majesty. at one of the first
London drawing-rOOms. 1t is March weather.
the fiercest, most uncanny, and treacherOus
season of the year.
In this weather women. accustomed to cloak
and clothe themselves in wraps and furs when
ever they take their drives abroad or face the
piercing atmosphere. are compelled to bare
their necks and. shoulders, to strip themselves
OF their apparel after the fashion of their proto-
type, GOdiya, and for weary hours expose them
selves to the gaze Of all the rascally Peeping
ioms who choose to cOngregate in the park and
indulge in impertinences that Disgrace the name
OF men and Englishmen. Few know who have
not experienced it the bitter insults to which
modest women are subjected on their way from
nome to attend court or drawing-room at Buck
ingham Palace. As there Is little organization
OF the traffic, and there is sure to be dead
block at some point or other in the park the
shlvering women are exposed to the curious
gaze OF these eager sightseers Such mob as
inns is no respector of persons. We have few
sights IN London, and the appetiZing one of
women, young and old. dressed up in the day
tlme In the most unbecOming and uncomfortable
OF all costumes. is not to be resisted. The riff
ran go up to the carriage doors and freely offer
their comments. Modest ears are shocked by
words OF indecency and profanity.
Arrived at the palace the fair cOurtiers receive
out cold welcome So far they have braved
east winds, dust. and q London mob to find the
dread chill of half-warmed mansion and to
tread the silence Of deserted halls Here at
court. without artificial light OF any kind with
out warmth and without appropriate color, they
are compelled to unbare their beauty in a cruel
and uncompromising fashion. Ii an ordinary
woman OF society cannot receive the male gaze
IN her tea-room without pink shades and rose
colored blinds, think of the appalling trial for
her when she stall ks these icy corridors in the
iuli glare OF spring sun and in dress that
would be considered out of place at an ordinary
ball The Court. besides being cruel is inhospi-
table. II women feel faint or are attacked by
sudden paralysis of nervousness, they can. after
making fuss from which most women would
shrink, obtain from Court official a restorative
in the shape of sherry or the more cOnsoling
brandy. But to ask for such temporary assist
ance is to call down the snecrs of the stronger
sisters.