The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-04-12
An Important Function of the British Court.

In the minds Of great numbers Of young
women, and elderly ones too the British
court exists mainly that the individuals afore-
said may be presented 10 the sovereign at the
royal drawing rOOms." TO be presented 10
the Queen is a diploma of responsibility, rs
the list of persons TO be presented IS scanned
with the utmost care, and the slightest oblec-
ton of any kind will exclude the applicant
At least two full days beforehand the names
of the candidates must be sent to the Lord
Chamberlain, and presentation can only DO
made by some one who has already been pre-
scented. or who ATTENDS court The name
il supposed TO be submitted to her Majesty,
and her sanction must be obtained before the
cards of invitation are sent ont accompanied
by certain printed rules for the guidance of
the individual who Is TO be presented. The
dress for the presentation ceremony Is pre-
scrbed with great mlnuteness. The lady,
young or old, who is TO appear before the
Queen must have her dress cut low in the
neck. and with short sleeves, and she must
wear long train, and have her head decor
ated with ostrich feathers. The feathers are
three in number. and must be worn so that
one will drOOp at the side and two will curl
over toward the face. They must be white,
except IN cases Of deep mourning. when black
Is used. Gloves must be white, except when
the court IS in mourning. when black Is the
rule The dress and train are of white and
it costs a considerable sum Of money 10 be
presented at court. Ladies are rarely pre-
scented more than twice during their lives,
once before marriage and once atterward, I'M
less they belong TO the nobility or obtain
titles by marriage or inheritance: and no lady
is allowed to attend more than one court re-
ceptIOn III a single year
In fashionable boarding and finishing
schools for young women in England. the pre-
sentatlOn at court Is part Of the education.
An English lady tells me that at the school
she attended they had the ceremony from two
10 four times "A month, one Of the teacher.
persOnating the Queen. and another the Lord
Chamberlain. while some Of the pupils took
turns III personating the Queens pages. and
other attendants. I'VE used TO fasten cur
tains, tablecloths and sheets to our dresses
said she. ITO represent the trains, rs the
proper management of the tram IS "a very
important part Of the ceremony. We carried
our trains over our left arms till we entered
the presence chamber, when the attendants
removed them, and as we came into the view
of her Majesty the train swept the floor.
When | left school, and came out into So
ciety, and was presented at court. ] found the
preliminary training Of considerable value,
but also received "A second course of instruc-
ton at the hands Of one of the royal atten-
dants. Every step you are TO take Is carefully
prescribed, and If you keep your wits about
you everything will 60 of smoothly But
il often happens that a girl becomes con-
fused at the critical moment, and for
gets to do as she has been told. Two
or three times it has happened, so the
story Is whispered, that girl has fallen
in dead faint and had to be carried from the
room, but the incident is not allowed to get
into the papers 1t requires a good deal Of
self-possession to approach the Queen in
semi-circle Of her ilhstrious relatives and
the household standing behind. You enter
with a glove on your left hand. but with the
right hand bare. You place the right hand
beneath the Queens extended right. bow very
low. and kiss the back Of the royal hand as
you do so. You must curtsey TO each member
of the royal family and side OF. crab-fash-
ion. dragging the train after you, till the
Queens pages throw it over your left arm
again, and you make your exit from the throne
room. or presence chamber. You must not
turn around in the ROYAL presence or you will
give great oilense. Chicago Inter Ocean.