Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1888-01-26
A LOOK AT THE QUEEN.
How England's Ruler Appears and
How She IL Guarded
The Royal Train and the State Carriage
A Gentleman's Bet and How
He Won 1.-THE Prince Of
Wales Detectives.

Wales Detectives.
got a good look at the Queen re-
Gently, and that is quite rare thing
for strangers. Her Majesty seldom
occupies Buckingham Palace, her Lon
don residence, and only comes into
town on occasions of ceremony.
Even during the jubilee ceremonies
last summer she preferred to remain
at Windsor and run into London by
rail whenever her presence was neces.
sary there rather than sleep at Buck
ingham. Ihave made many inquiries
of people who ought to know. but no.
body seems able to tell why she does
not like the place. The nearest I can
get at it is that there are some sorrow
full associations connected with the
grand old mansion, which the Duke of
Buckingham erected hundred years
ago and sold to her grandfather.
When she comes to London by train,
she uses half dozen special cars
fitted up for her exclusive use. which
are always kept in readiness at Slough
Station. a couple of miles from Wind
sor. Or if she is at Osborne Castle.
on the Isle of Wight where she
spends two-thirds of her time, she
goes across the bay to Portsmouth on
the royal yacht, and then takes the
cars. 1t isn't often she travels, and
the railway and police officials are
very glad of it. The track has to be
patrolled. the royal train must have
the right of way, all stations must be
closed until after she has passed. and.
Mt the London end of the line, bust
ness is actually suspended for time
till her Majesty has been taken care of.
When she intends to take trip the
private secretary to her Majesty or the
Grand Chamberlain notifies the rail-
road officials and the police authorities
of London. The former prepare the
royal train. and the latter bring out
about half their force to escort her. A
party of detectives 60 to Windsor and
come up on the train. They have car
to themselves and are well taken care
of: but it isn't very pleasant duty.
When she enters the cars or leaves
them they surround her person and re-
main by her side till she is in the state
carriage and protected by her body
guard of horsemen. The Queens
Guards are picked men, the finest in
the army. and it is considered pro-
motion to be transferred to that regi-
ment. They are selected for their
stature and soldierly accomplishments.
their horsemanship. and general intel
ligence, and they are paid and treated
better than any other branch Of the
service. Their uniform is bright
scarlet; they ride immense black
chargers. and carry sabers and car
bines. Whenever the Queen is out of
doors detachment of them surround
her carriage and ride so as to protect
her with their bodies
There was line of patrolmen from
Paddington station to Buckingham
Palace. distance of q mile or more.
SO near to each other that they could
easily converse. and every one of them
had his eyes and ears open, which
showed the value Of . pass from Mr..
Littlechild. They asked no questions.
but simply passed the word along that
we were party of Americans with .
card from the chief.
After waiting . quarter of an hour
or more. for my party was prompt as
her Majesty was also. to the exact
minute. saw group of brilliant, red
coated horsemen coming down the
broad. shaded avenue. galloping like
mad. 1t was brilliant spectacle. like
a cavalry charge. for they had their 81
beers drawn and at their shoulders At
their head rode one of the masters Of
her Majesty's horse. or groom in
waiting. I don't know which. but It
makes no difference, riding along At
trot although the rest Of the horsemen
galloped. He was in red also. wore
lots Of gold lace and . black cooked
hat, and looked Is If he realized his inn
portance. Then came four mounted
carbineers abreast with their guns on
their hips and their hands on the trig-
gers. ready for any emergency. Then
forty or moro Of the handsome guards.
sitting their black steeds like centaurs
and their silver trappings jingling like
music