The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1886-03-19
FRIEND OF THE ROYAL FAMILY.
The Man Who Was Kissed by Queen
Victoria While ON His Diving Bed.

Victoria While ON His Dying Bed.
A London correspondent of The New
York S"m writes: NJ. Van de Weycr's
house was one of the most hospitable
and best attended in London. He had
married an American lady, Miss Bates,
the only surviving child of Mr.. Bates. the
cool partner of Barring Brothers & Co.,
who. with great deal of shrewd
American common sense and practical
hereditary competence had brought him
u princely income. M. Van de Weyer,
who from the obscure point of librarian
of the town of Brussels had suddenly
risen with a maniple of Belgian gentle
men to TIE station of founder of mon
archy, was keen diplomatist, fore
seeing statesman. learned man, a full
anecdotist, leading gourmet. He was
apersonal friend of the wisest sovereign
of his time-Lcopold I. He had an in
finite ambition. His dcmcrit was his
vanity. He was very straightforward
man, and, though of most definite lik-
ings, would never use his high influence
against an opponent, ever SO big or so
little. though occasionally attacking him
with deadly sarcasms. He would run
his man straight through; he would
never stab him. He did not like church
people; he was thcist. He was ON the
most friendly terms with the royal fam
lily. l know only of one stranger who
was on similar terms with the queen
and prince consort, and that was Miss
Harriet Lane, neice of Mr.. Buchanan,
subsequently, the lady of the white
house.
M. Van de Wcycr's country place,
New lodge, in the Windsor forest, was
only u few miles from Windsor castle,
and no intercourse could have been
more ncighborly than that carried ON
between the castle and the lodge. The
queen and the prince consort would
certainly take New lodge on their drive.
and unexpectedly arrive there at all
hours. The royal children and those
of the Belgian commoncr were almost
brought up together. The lovely lawn
at New lodge is now shaded by fine fir
trees, which, in the times of happiness
long before the days of mourning were
planted on some joyful family event by
one or other of the royal visitors. The
amity was an uncnding one, and if NJ.
Van de Weyer was foremost among
those commanded to attend the chris
tcningo of the prince of Wales, the prince
of Wales was in our van when, on Il ra-
diant day of June, 1874, We, friends of
almost all nations. conveyed the dis
tinguishcd Belgian diplomatist to his
resting place in the churchyard of Bray
wood.
The prince was a constant guest at
New lodge and Arlington street. and
much enjoyed Van dc Wcyer's sallies.
discrimination, and cook. The prince
is one of the brightest Englishmen
alive, and wonderful eater. The Bel
gian diplomatist had an exceptional
French chef, whose name, Eugene
Dcromc, was as familiar as that of a
public bcncfactor among the commcn-
sails of his master. The great chef
found himself once in most tragical
prcdicament, and never was the world
so near a repetition of the drama of
Vattcl killing himself because the fish
was late. He had gone to France, and
had invested in Paris quite large sum
in the purchase of some elysian dain-
ties for coming banquet. He had
them packed. of course, with particular
care. Those were stormy times. The
Fersaillais had just entered Paris, and
communards and pctrolists were bolt
ing for their lives. Everything was
suspicious then. An overcanny French
official would have it that the precious
package contained NJ. Theirs clock,
and detained it six weeks. Eugene
Dcrome, however, outlived this severe
trial, owing to the prccaution taken by
M. Van lie Weycr in Immediately APP
plying the British remedy in critical
cases or grievances-to make him write
to The Times, and as the diplomatist
dictated to the cook what he needed to
say, the readers of 1he Times had an
unaccrlstomcd treat.
Princess Helen, the accomplished wife
of one of the most unsatisfactory
strangers taken up by this country, and
whose life is now perilously affected
with acute mclancholia, was also, with
Princess Louise, great friend of the
Van dc Wcycrs. She would arrive
there Unexpectedly from Cumberland
lodge, in her pony chaise, without even
a lady companion, to the o'clock tea,
and, although decidedly superior per-
son. aside from her exalted rank, would
speak unafiectcdly with all and listen to
all in the most amiablc and mak;ng-one-
at-nomc fashion. So was Princess
Louise. One winter morning-her royal
highncss was then staying at New lodge
the weather being too unreasonable
to go out, we had settled in the suite of
drawing-rooms, some reading, some
writing, some playing the piano. The
princess, who draws as well as the min
ority of the royal academicians. and
holds the pencil almost equally we'll in
either hand, sat down between John
Motley and another visitor, and, not
ccasing to talk with the illustrious
American historian, for whom she had
a great admiration. began to draw both
him and the other person in her album.
The likcncsses were capital, especially
the one of Motley, whose handsome,
intelligent features and (after the death
of his beloved wifc) saddencd express
sion of face were strikingly mirrored.
Motley was much liked here. He
used to go Il great deal into society dur
ing the lifetime of his wife, but conld
only be induced to 60 to tho houses of
few friends aftcrward. A better hus-
band and father never breathed. He
never recovered from the mortal shock