The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-09-28
QUEEN OF ROUMANIA.
A Visit to Carmen Sylvia at Her
Mountain Home.
LIFE AT THE CASTLE PsLEsH.
The Love story Of the Crown Prince
Lady vacaresen and Her Col
lection OF Songs.

uaCtAouo HUN Hlku quarters tO OdStle
Pelesh.
A royal footnan, donned in brown liv-
cry braided with black, white trousers and
leggiugs, presented me with the following
message:
VIII be delighted TO see you at Castle Pelesh
tonight You are requested to make an uncer.
emonious call ST O'Clock. CARNEy SYLVIA.
/ asked the footman TO explain to me
what the Queen of Roumania meant by
"unceremonious call"
at is left to you to choose in what dress
you will appear"
In the evening 1 nevertheless donned
my dress sslit, not wishing to fail in any
way against etiquette, and drove to the
castle.
There, amid the mountains, surrounded
by primitive forests of dark FIR trees, lay
the castle, built in the German Renais-
sance style, with numerous spires, gables
and balconies. However, / could not find
the architecture particularly beautiful. In
the distance the shepherds were seen driv-
ing their fiocks homewards. their white
blouses and fringed trousers contrasting
with the beautiful green of the pastures.
Everywhere amid the somber-hued rocks
and the luxuriant vegetation nestled the
picturesque villas of the mobiles, for the
aristocracy take pride in living as near to
their sovereign as possible.
l dismounted before the entrance and
walked up through a garden with
trimmed hedges, marble statues and bub-
bling fountains to the gaily illumined
summer residence of the queen.
The same footman was in attendance
and led me into the reception room, fur
nished in dark blue brocade and lace.
One of the court ladies received me. 1t
was Helen Vacaresen, who has lately fig
ured as the heroine of Prince Ferdinand's
unhappy love story.
1.-The queen will be here uery soon"
Miss Vacaresen informed me. She was q
true type Of the old Bojar families. Her
features were prominent, with thick eye
brows and an abundance of hair. She
wore the Roumanian costume, long,
highly embroidered tunic of gay colors IN
long, straight folds, like ancient drapery;
q red silk handkerchief, adorned with old
golden coins, composed her headgear. She
possessed fine fiery eyes, and had nota-
BILE way of using them.
We INDUCED in a short conversation
about Roumania, in which / learned that,
when the present reign commenced, rail-
roads were unknown to the country,
which was altogether in no advanced stage
of modern civilization. 1t is only under
the present monarch, Carl l., that political
and economical improvement. have been
made. such as the introduction of public
schools and the banking systems and the
amelioration of races.
Another lady of honor entered the room
and requested US to adjourn to the library,
where we found quite a number of guests
assembled.
A tall. middle-aged lady stretched out
her hand and bid me welcome. This was
the queen, who is undeniably handsome,
and knows how to make the most of her
beauty, though she is no longer in the
prime of youth. Her complexion was
naturally clear and delicate, contrasting
agreeably with her soft, ash-colored hair,
turning gray.
The Duke of Wied was present, a brother
of the queen, a quiet old gentleman In q
Prince Albert coat. covered with decora-
tons. He did not say much, but the lit of
his coat was admirablei
King Carl had left for Bucharest. but
the crown prince, Ferdinand Won Hohen-
zollern, his nephew, was present with q
number of courtiers and officers, all in the
Roumanian costume.
The queen was dressed in tight-ftting
black robes, trimmed with pale gold lace
and embroidered cap, to which was at
tached at the back long, flowing veil of
black lace.
None of her photographs reproduce the
gentle, dreamy expression of her large
eyes. Her sole ornament was a necklace
of pearls twisted several times around her
neck.
The library was large, high room,
lined with bookcases reaching to the CELL
ing. which contained thousands of vol
umes. A gallery. supported by pillars and
connected with the floor by q number of
graceful, winding stairs, ran about the
room, which was arched by large sky
light of colored glass. The guests had
assembled in one OF the inches. It's yek
low shaded floor lamp threw a soft radi-
ance on the surroundings, and large vases
OF different flowers exhaled delicious
perfume.
The room also contained a piano and
several other musical instruments, some
precious oil paintings adorned the walls,
and statues rose up among palms and
tropical plants.
The queen was interested to know if her
works had been read TO any extent in
America. She said she would like TO
travel incognito through the country of
which she had read SO much. All the
leading American authors were in her
library.
But love these CarpsthIan mountains
bestp' she exclaimed with enthusiasm:
''Are not the mowers wonderful | never
allow 4 tree 10 be cut down. even though
they might obscure very beautiful view.
In one case his majesty wished TO have
some trees removed, but the ladies and l
implored him TO spare them!'
lis the queen the master in this estab-
nshment?" | wondered.
What mixture of delicacy and fresh
ness the queen w2si And that which
contributed most TO the charm that in
vested her whole person was the sweet,
low tones of her voice.
Lady Helen Vaca7esen was asked to
sing one Of her own compositions, put TO
music by August Bungert. She sang in a
fine clear voice, with good deal OF taste
and southern IRE.
The queen applauded merrily and the
rest joined in.
LADY Vararesen has collected these
songs herself while studying the peasants
life in the Dimbovltzs valley, where her
fathers estate Is situated. " remarked the
queen.
Other guests were announced, the ma
iority consisting Of mobiles and the old
Roumanian poet, Bolistenean, the Victor
Hugo" Of his country.
Smoking was a delightful prerogative SIS
the queen and many OF the ladies Of honor
took part N il. The only refreshment
served was dagraShane, a native wine, and
sliced pineapples and other fruit. Some of
the ladies donned white aprons, embroi-
dered in co!ored arabeSQues, and served
the company.
The queen said, pointing to the embroi-
derv on the aprons: