The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1891-05-22
THE QUEEN AT HOME. "
A PLEASANT PICTURE OF THE DO
MESTlc LIFE OF HER MAJESTY.

but la London-A Day at windsor
Relationship PuzzIes.
Once upon a time there was charm-
ing little blonde princess, with large blue
eyes and golden tresses, who was known
as Mayflower, because she was born in
that beautiful spring month, and her
| father, holding her up before the lords
| and ladies who fastened to see the baby.
said to them: so k at her well, for she
will be queen of Englandl" The spring
OF the year 1919 is far off now; the May
rose has changed into the Christmas rose ;
the little princess has become the doyenne
of the sovereigns of Europe, and her
! people honor in her half a century of
reign which, in the words of the national
anthem, has been "happy and glorious, /"
and distinguished by her maiesty's great
virtues and devotion to the public veal.
After being softened by the Joys and
griefs of her crowned romance, the pub
lie venerates the grandmother who, from
the throne, has made the nation admire
sentiments which are most dear to it.
The one place where the queen is never
to be found is her good town of London.
Whether it be that Buckingham Palace
Is dlspleaslng to her majesty (as it might
well be), or whether the air and noise of
the capital are injurious to her health,
one thing is certain-that she avoids
London like the pestilence, leaving to
her charming daughter in law, the Prin-
cess of Wales, and to the extremely pop
ular heir apparent, the duty of repre-
senting her on all official occasions. Since
Princess Beatrice's marriage and espe-
cially since the extraordinary manifesta-
tions which marked her jubilee, the queen
has shown herself little more to her
iege subjects.
There is also more animation in the
palace. Her majesty has commanded
artlstes to appear at court, and has en-
couraged her encourage to get up anna
teur theatricals. The fact is that
Princess Beatrice has married a Prince
Charming, from whom one wishes to
Danish all ennni, and, as he can not be
sent over to Germany to hunt and shoot
every week, the domestic hearth is made
as attractive as possible. With the ex-
ceptlon OF few weeks spent at some
health resort the queen divides her time
almost equally between Windsor, Os-
borne, and Balmoral. Windsor, the
immense fuedal palace of William the
Conqueror and Edward III, is the actual
official residence of the queen, and never
has monarch had more stately home.
1t is to Windsor that her majesty in
vites those whom she wishes to entertain,
The invitations are usually to dinner, the
guests arriving at the castle in time to
dress, and spending the night at the castle.
The queens day begins little later now
than formerly, the rheumatic affection
from which she suffers having dimin-
ished her strength, although she still
works very hard. Rising between s and
0 o'clock she breakfasts alone in her
apartment, but occasionally invites
Princess Beatrice OF some other member
OF the royal family. Often, in fine
weather, she drives to Frogmore, and
when it is warm enough she breakfasts
in a tent erected in the gardens. From
~ to her majesty works. One of the
ministers is always at hand, but the
queen seldom presides over council,
except on some very exceptional occa-
sion. Every day there are 20 or 80
packets of dispatches for her majesty to
look through. Everything comes under
her eyes. Prince Albert used to say the
queen ought to be the best informed
person in the realm. ministers go out
the queen remains, " said the prince.
Her majesty has an embarras de choix,
of tho E0 oI,il11.ar1 opA 1oI.; IA
that Providence has granted her with
out counting the fourth generation,
which treads upon the heels of the others),
there remain AZ. AS, beside, the queen
is allied more or less closely to all who
reign, have reigned, or will reign in Eu-
rope, one willingly abstains from at
to classify those related to her
For the queen, however, the
process is a pastime her
majesty never gets confused over it and
good humoredly pretends to be surprised
that everybody is not so clever as her.
self. After lunch there is short walk,
and at o'clock, no matter what the
weather may be, the queen goes for a
lrive, generally accompanied by Princess
Beatrice, the lady in waiting, and some
other fair invitee. Dinner is at o'clock.
Should a reigning prince be present, the
queen takes his arm; if not, she walks
INTO the dining room alone. Before her
majesty comes down, the gentleman in
waiting acquaints all the male guests
With the name of the lady they are to
AXE in.
During the day there is complete lib
'rty for all, yet there is none of that
which characterizes English
country house life. The evening has
never been time of much gayety at the
palace. Charles Greville found it deadly
lull." The queen used to seat herself at
| large round table and the conversation
,ecame more OF less animated. Now,
he queen goes from one to the other,
addressing to each few words aimables
It banales, and retires at II o'clock.
When only members of the royal family
ire present there is often music. Like
i'll her children, except the Prince of
Wales, the queen is an excellent musician
md sometimes sits down to the piano
With Princess Beatrice, or there will be
inging. Nature has endowed her mai
,sty with a fine voice, not only for sing
ng, but for speaking; SO that she is able to
,ive certain charm even to official doc
lments. She reads them as nobody else
AN, although she ingenuously confesses
hat she does so with fear and trembling
md is quite content if she is able to say
he has not made single istake.-
Figaro ulustro.