The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-04-15
A QUEENS DRAw1NG-RooM.
"BIUe-Nosed, Naked and Ashamed Beauty"
at Her Majesty's Receptions.
London Truth,

"BIUe-Nosed, Naked and Ashamed Beauty"
at Her Majesty's Receptions.
London Truth,
There is probably no capital in the world
where the custom Of paying respect to the titled
representatives OF court system Is carried on
under circumstances of such aggTavating cruelty.
\ London drawing room in the reign Of Queen
Victoria is when carefully considered, as discred
liable and lnhuman spectacle as can be con
celVed, and, though the evils attendant on the
institution 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
go on in the same stereotyped, jog trot
taken TO protect loyal subjects from
the frequent discourtesies and many insults to
which they are subjected With scant consid-
Grafton for comfort, or even decency, the princi-
pal drawing rooms of the season are fixed at Il
time of year when the weather is most treach
erous, and those who attend them are compelled
to appear IN u costume quite out of character
with ceremony 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 representative of her Majesty, at one
of the first London drawing rooms. 1t is March
weatheT-the ficrcest, most uncanny and treach-
erouS 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 prototype,
Godiva. and for weary hours expose themselves
to the gaze of all the rascally Peeping Toms 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
home to attend court or drawing-room
at Buckingham Palace. AS there is little organ
lzation of the traffic, and there is sure to be
dead block at some point or other in the park,
the shivering women are constantly exposed to
the curious gaze of these eager sight seers Such
mob as this is no respecter of persons. We
have few sights in London. and the appetizing
one OF women, young and old, dressed up in the
daytime in the most unbecoming and uncom-
Portable of all costumes is not to be resisted
The riff -raH go up to the carriage doors and
freely offer their compliments. Modest ears are
shocked by words of indecency and profanity.
Arrived at the palace the fair courtiers re
ceIve but a cold welcome So far they have
braved east winds, dust and London mob to
find the dread chill of a half-warmed mansion
and to tread the silence of deserted halls. Here
at court, without artificial light of any kind
without warmth and without appropriate color,
they are compelled to unbare their beauty in a
cruel and uncompromising fashion. If an ordi
nary 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 stalks these icy corridors in the full
glare of a spring sun and in dress that would
be considered out of place at an ordinary bail
The court, besides being cruel, is inhospeatfe
If women feel faint or are attacked by sudden
paralysis of nervousness, they can, after making
a fuss from which most women would shrink
obtain from a court official restorative in the
shape of sherry, or the more consoling brandy
But to ask for such temporary assistance is to
call down the sneers of the stronger sisters.