Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1885-02-19
AT WINDSOR CASTLE.
HER GUESTS.
Dignity of u State Diuner-Whaf IL TX
pectcd of Visitors - Tho Queens
Hours for Business - Dull
Daily Life.
uondon Cor. New York Sun. |

The dull, regular, unintere ting routine OF
her ma jesty's daily life at Windsor, 80 trying
even t. the oIiurins patience OF her last
remaining daughter, has once more
begun, unreleyed savs by the homely,
almost lowly incidents which consti-
tute the only communion between the ma
ton and herself. Time was, even after the
castle hai been virtually closet for all fes-
tivitieS, TINT guests were hidden 10 it for the
three days visit SO dear to the British heart
ami during their stay enjoyed the privile sc
Of revealing in the priceless accumulation Of
pictureS tapestrias, objects OF art. rare
books, rarer engrayin,s, and unrivalled
specimens of china-one little table with rose
Dubnrry me lalionS alone being estimated at
5000 pounds sterling. Now the invitations
rarely extend over one evening and night.
and, although they ere to all intents and
purposes commands, sometimes only reach
the recipients few hours before the time
when their attendance is required
A fast train brings you down from Pad
dington station in forty minutes Asno car
riages are habitually sent to meet you, you
have % trust yourself and servants TO flies OF
cabs t. reach the castle Pages of the queen,
lads belonging t. the best families in the
kingdom take charge of you. and, consulting
n written list, conduct you - the apartments
set aside for your Use. These consist in a
complete suite of rooms. the only fault be.n.
that In winter they are apt to be insufiiciently
warmed, as the queen is constitutionaly
averse to heat Shortly after the arrival OF
a guest he receive. this visit OF the master II
the household SIR j. c. Coweli, who trin.s
him an invitation II have tea with one q
other OF the ladies in waiting
Full court drcss is de rigucur for the din
ner. As early n o'clock the guests Assem-
BILE in the great gallery which runs around
the quadrangle, AMI which forms an i'm
mense picture gallery. never opened TO the
general public even at thoe periods when
admittance 10 the state apartments Is al
lowed during the queens absence from
Windsor. At half past $, accompanied by
the Princess Beatrice, her ina jesty makes her
appearance. and, with few brief words 10
the company, leads the way to the dining
room. II there are sixteen TO dinner it l.
served in that apartment, one side Of which
is broad window. opening on the central
court The walls are hung with tapestry,
and two paintings only 10 adorn the apart.
ment-a portrait OF the queen, by Angeli.
and ons of the duchess Of Edinburgh When
on famille the queen dimes in one Of the &C
tagonal towers, where each of the eight win
dows frames perfect view OF the park
There is little or no conversation al these
safe repasts The queen not unfrequently
leans forward 10 whisper a remark to her
daughter in fashion which, TO say the
least, is discomposing 10 the unInitiatei
The menu, besides the names of the dishes,
gives that Of the chef who has concoctei
them The innumerahls footmen are all in
l.
and tho so-calei clerks OF the Kitchen in
black coats and knee breeches, stand at the
sideboaris 10 carve
After the dinner which l. short, the queen
retireS with the laiieS-a mere formality. for
the men follow three minutes later. The
m smhers OF the court and household
IN the great hall opening out
OF the frs; of the three great 81
looms, and which is used by the queen only
when her party exceeds thirty. Sir J. c
Cowell prcsideS at that table The post-pran-
dial ceremonies are promptly gone through
! her majesty exchanges a Few sentences with
each Of her guests. who remain standing the
whole time, and al the end OF half an hour.
at the outside. withdraws to her private
rooms, which are all brilliantly lighted. and
where she finishes the evening conyersing
with her daughter, reading. writing, OF he
| IN. read 10 Meanwhile her visitors are at
liberty TO play whist or listen 10 music in the
| rcd and green drawing rooms The gentle
| men can tetake themselves 10 billiards OF to
the smoking rooms The latter are provided
! even for the servants, but il i strictly for
| hidden 70 smoke in any other APARTMENT,
public or private
Every visitor knows he viii sec his ROYAL
| hostess no more. and then be is expected 70
| leave the castle by IL next morning he
can take his breakfss; in his rooms OF down
stairs. as he prefers Her majesty has her
very early meal either alone OF with sons
| prince OF blood royal At she drives
through the grounds. which are Of great e1-
tent and beauty and strictly private, &c
Frcgnore. where she aliSh:s and, weather
permitting, enters a tent spread on the lawn
Tor her uc. There she reads her let;ers and
the newspapers. The latter have been pre-
viously carefully scanned by one Q; her
ladies in waiting and the passages which
should meet her eve marked ~ ~ 1911