Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1888-02-09
A LOOK AT THE QUEEN.
How England's Ruler Appears and
How She Is Guarded.
The Royal Train and the state Carriage
A Gentleman's Bet and How
He Won 1.-THE Prince Of
Wales Detectives.


Gently, and that is quite II 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. have made many inquiries
of people who ought to know, but no.
body Seems able to tell why she does
notliko the place. The nearest l 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, 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 a cal
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 stat,
carriage and protected by her body
guard of horsemen. The Queen
Guards are picked men, the finest i.
the army. and it is considered pro
motion 10 be transferred TO that regi
meal They are selected for thei
stature and soldierly accomplishments
their Craftsmanship. and general intel
ligence, and they are paid and treate,
better than any other branch of tn
service. Their uniform is brgh
scarlet; they ride immense blacl
chargers, and carry sabers and car
bines. Whenever the Queen is out O
doors detachment of them surroun,
her carriage and ride so as to protec
her with their bodies.
There was a line of patrolmen iron
Paddington station to Buckingham
Palace, a distance of mile or more
so near to each other that they coul
easily converse, and every one of ther
had his eyes and ears open, whic
showed the value of pass from MI
Littlechild They asked no questions
but simply passed the word along tina
we were a party of Americans with
card from the chief.
After waiting quarter of an hou
or more, for my party was prompt, a
her Majesty was also, to the exac
minute, saw group of brilliant, red
coated horsemen coming down tn
lroad, shaded avenue, galloping lik
mad. 1t was a brilliant spectacle, lik
cavalry charge, for they had their S;
bers drawn and at their shoulders.
their head rode one of the masters {
her Majesty's horse, or a groom i
waiting. l don't know which, but
makes no difference, riding along at
trot although the rest of the horseme
ralloped. He was in red also, wol
lots Of gold lace and a black cooke
hat. and looked as if he realized his in
portance. Then came four mounte
.arbineers abreast. with their guns q
their hips and their hands on the tri,
gers. ready for any emergency. The
forty or more of the handsome guard
sitting their black steeds like eentau
ami their silver trappings juggling iii
music.
In the midst Of them was sta
carriage. a most gorgeous affair
yellow and black, with a crest on Il
,loor as large rs . wash-tub-the roy