New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-03-22
QUEEN VICTORIA.
EMPRESS rREDERIcK-THE BATrExBERGs
HOW SHE TRAVELS.

prietors whereof are just now tTemulous with
pleased anticipation Of the possibility in future
seasons Of putting up prices all round since the
Queen of England once taTTied within their
boundaries. Last year the Queen went 10 AIN
les-Bains, Circumstance impressed upon the
recollection Of everyone else compelled 70 pay
visit 10 the place in search Of better health. 10
some people suffering from rheumatism three
weeks at AiX-les- Bans every year is a necessity
well-knOwn member of the House OF Commons
met there last August, told he had not missed
his three weeks at AK for forty years. and he
added, he believed lie was worse To such
habtues it aggravating 10 find prices put
up all round in the second season Of the year.
because the Queen had by chance visited the place
In April. The excuse Of the hotekcepcrs and
others proGtably concerned was that they were
merely following the iron rule which dominates
supply and demand. Last year. as a consequence
Of the royal visit, more people went 10 AiX-les-
Bains than had ever been gathered within its
valley since the days of the Romans. There was
keencr competition for accommodation, and con-
sequently higher prices.
The Queen travels incognto accompanied by
Princess and prince Beatrice" But though the
glories Of her rank and state are thus temporarily
laid aside the veil that shrouds royalty Is eX-
cecdngly thin. The party proceed by the royal
yacht TO Chcrbourg, thence by royal train across
the Continent. and during her stay at erase the
Queen viii have a right royal guard on sea as
well as on shore. some Of the Mediterranean teet
heinz anchored within sight of the hotel rented
for her sOjOuTn. while the French army, under
direction from the President, will furnish guard
Of honor ashore At this late moment the arrange
ments for the Journey have been altered. in order
10 meet a prejudice OF the Queen mmovable
against proceeding at night at a quicker speed
than twenty mics an hour. The railway authori-
ties had presented 10 them the problem OF the
Queen starting at a convenient hour on Tuesday
morning. reaching Fontainebleau the same even
ing in time for dinner, breakfostirg at MarselieS
on Wednesday morning, and arriving at GTasse III
time for . o'clock tea, with the indispensable
condition that Tuesday nights journey should not
exceed the pace Of twenty miles an hour. This IS
q difficulty that, given the breadth of the CONT
nent 70 work upon, is not insuperablc But last
year the English railway authorities. confronted
by similar problem, and handicapped by the
lamentable narrowness of the limits Of the island
were in a hopeless quandary. The Queen was
making a night journey into Wales. She would
start after her usual dinner hour. would arrive
10 breakfast in her accustomed time, and would
not travel through the night at a greater speed
than twenty miles an hour. AS 1t was usual
TO do the distance in five hours. and as that
would scarcely suffice for the Queens bedtime,
it will be seen that the situation was tight
one. If the carriage could occasionally comfort
ably have left the rails and made detour through
pleasant country lanes. all would have been we'll
That however. was plainly Impossible; ana Seu
the programme. as ordered, had to be carried
out. II was done as TO the start and finish. but
what happened in the interval Is secret
L. tlttrOrr
tendent and his satellites on the engine
and in the guards box. The situation
was all the more difficult since. when a royal
train is passing along an English line, traffic is
literally paralyzed. everything being shunted for
a quarter of an hour before; and, odder still,
ten minutes after the royal train passes given
point.
The Queen is due to return TO Windsor on the
evening of SATURDAY April Is. by which time the
London season will be beginning TO blossom. But
il has come TO pass for more than quarter OF
century that the Queens coming and going have
little influence upon the movements OF the society
of which the Sovereign is assumed TO be the head
and the fountain of life. The Queens social
functions are now limited 10 some four Drawing
Rooms in the year, and 10 occasional appearance
at the Prince of Wales's Garden Party The first
Drawing Rooms are, with curious fatality, hXed
for this loveless month of March. One took place
the other day under a leaden sky with bitter
winds moaning through leaflesS trees in the
Mall. AS It is de rgueur for ladies to attend
in evening dress, and as the approach to Buck
ingham Palace on Drawing Room days takes from
two 10 three hours it will be understood that the
ordeal is a severe one. Nor is the compensation
evident at first sight. Once the portals of Buck
ingham Palace are passed, ladies' young and old,
dowagers and debutantcs, penned up In a
series of rooms, much on the principle that III
France passengers are permitted 10 approach
their seats in the railway trains. They are under
control of some extremely arbitrary gentlemen III
uniform who order them here and there, whlsk
fheir trains into Shape, hurry them into the royal
presence, probably mispronounee their names, ana
then get rid Of them as quickly as possible, into
another suite Of rooms giving access to the hall
where il may he necessary TO shiver for an hour
while their carriage is being sought. There is
not for nine out of ten the privilege oil
standing face to face with majesty for the period
necessary TO make the diligently rehearsed cur,sey
The Queen, last Wednesday, in accordance with
her usual habit, left the Throne Room Immediately
otter the Corps Diplomatque and other people
having the entree had been received. Thereafter
the Princess Of Wales did duty, in itself more
gracious presence but not the rose, though il
lives near it. The d!scomforts and the dangers
Of the Drawing. Rooms would be infinitely les
sened if they were held in May and June. That
is q simple and easily made arrangement that
would, however, introduce some variation into
the longestablshed customs of the Queen, and
that is not 10 be thought of.
II is said that the Empress Frederick Of Ger
many, now sheltered under her royal mothers
wing at Windsor, is deeply hurt by the dsastrou:
result of her visit TO Paris 1t was the first
time since her son came to the throne that She
had been admitted To any active participation
in his plans. 1t is quite possible that against
her better Judgment, and eager TO make the mos
OF the rare opening, she accepted the mission
IL was designed 10 pave the way for reconcilia
ton between France and Germany, if at all prac
- -. IL. q iii,