The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-05-14
AouEEN's DRAWING ROOM.

London Truth.
There is probably no capital in the
world where the customs of paying res
oect 10 the titled representatives of a
court system is carried on under circnm-
stances of such aggrayating cruelty. A
London drawing room in the reign of
Queen Y ict0ria is. when carefully con-
sidered. as discreditable and inhuman
spectacle as can be conceived, and
though the evils attendant on the insti-
tuition have been pointed out over and
over again, though they must be per
feetIy familiar to the court authorities,
to the court advisers and to the Polonius
of the period, yet things go on in the
same stereotyped jog trot system, snd no
steps whatever are taken to protect
loyal subjects from the frequent dis
courtesies and many insults to which
they are subjected. With scant con-
sideration for comfort, or even decency,
the principal drawing rooms of the sea-
son are fixed at a time of year when the
weather is most treacherous, and those
who attend them are compelled to APP
near in a costume out of character with
a cere mony that is TO take place at day
| light. Take the case of delicate young
girl, or, indeed, of any ordinary fragile
beauty, who desires to pay her respects
to Her Majesty, or to the chosen repre-
sentatives of Her Majesty, at one of the
first London drawing rooms. 1t Is
March weather-the fiercest most uncan
nv treacherous seasons of the year.
! Tn this weather women, accustomed
to cloak and clothe themselves in wraps
and furs whenever they take theil
drives abroad or face the piercing at
mosphere, are compelled to bare tlfell
necks and shoulders to strip themselye'
of their apparel after the fashion Of thell
prototype, Godiva, and for weary hour'
expose themselves to the gaze OF all th'
rascally PeepiBg Toms who choose Il
congreeate in the Park and engage il
.. impertinenees that disgrace the name o
men and Englishmen. Few know WI
, have not experienced the bitter insult
to which modest women are subjected
on their way from home to attend
court or drawing room at Buckingham
, Palace. As there is little organization
> of the traffic, and there u sure to be
! dead block at some point or other IN tn
; park, the shivering women are constant
] iy exposed to the curious gaze OF TIN
6 eager sightseers. Such mob as this /
no respecter of persons. We have few
! sights in London, and the appetizing on
! of women young or old dressed up il
! the day time in the most unbecomin!
, and uncomfortable of all costume is no
; to be resisted. The riff-raff go up to tn
carriage doors and freely offer their com
, ments. Modest ears are shocked b.
words of indecency and profanity.
+ Arrived at tie palace the fair cour
> tiers receive but cold welcome. .
far they have brayed east winds, dus
and a London mob to find the drea'
E chill of a half-warmed mansion and t
tread in silence deserted halls
Here at court, without artificial Ugh
of any kind, without warmth and withou
appropriate color, they are compelled t.
unbare their beauty in a cruel and un
. compromising fashion. If any ordinar
woman of society cannot receive tn
male gaze in her tea room without PIN
! shades and rose eolored blinds, think 0
; the appalling trial for her when sh
stalks these icy corridors in the tul
glare of a spring sun and in a dress tina
would be considered out of place at a
ordinary ball The Court, besides bein
cruel, is inhospitahIe. If women fee
faint or are attacked by sudden paraly
! sis of nervousness, they can, after max
ing a fuss from which most wome
would shrink, obtain from court otticia
a restorative in the shape of sherry o
. the more consoling brandy. But to as
/ for such temporary assistance is to ca
! down the sneers of the stronger sis
I terS..