The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-12-02
ROYALTY IN VACATION.
The Queen of Italy Dons the Peasant
Costume.
From the San Francisco Chronicle.

AO NS00Oh "a AholJ DOh0 WIG CaddA b
Costume.
From the San Francisco Chronicle.
Conventionalities are laid aside with de-
light when royalty steps aside from the
court. This is instanced by the quiet life of
Queen Margherits at her home at Ores
soney, In the Piedmontess Alps.
AS soon as she arrives she lays aside her
royal robes and wears the picturesque
costume of the country, which consists Of a
round petticoat of fine red cloth, with a
pointed bodice worn over a white muslin
waist closed at the throat, and its long full
sleeves close at the wrists.
A black silk apron completes this simple
but becoming costume.
A little cap, which is o My band of gold
deliberately engraved, is worn like fillet
about the forehead. Its graceful starlike
ornaments In front simulate a crown; but
this headgear, besides being heavy, Is
costly, and there are not more than ave or
six OF them In the place.
A silk handkerchief is worn over the
head, knobted near the chin after the
fashion Of Southern Italy. Instead Of the
handkerchief the queen wears a black lace
veil.
She never lays aside this costume for any
other, and her bright red petticoat is seen
daily In her garden, on the hills or at the
mass.
Her majesty is very fond Of walking, and
in the bracing air and fine scenery OF her
native mountains she finds every incentive
to indulge this healthful exercise. She
leaves her house every morning. accom-
panied by two attendants, and
WALKS STEADILY FOR TWO HOURS.
Then, returning home, she reads, writes
or plays upon the piano until dinner, which
in She country is the midday meal. Thea,
going out again at about 8 O'clock, she re-
turns for 8 O'Clock tea.
Supper is served at O'clock, after which
there il little music, friendly chat or
stroll by moonlight in the garden; then ali
retire for the night.
Sunday, always fiesta day, is doably so
in this little town during the summer visit
of the queen. At IL o'clock the gracious
lady COMES into the dingy church dressed
like any good Gressonese, and, going close
to the high altar joins humbly In the ser vice
on Bonded knees. surrounded by her faith
full mountain friends.
When the mass Is finished q sweet old
mountain melody is breathed forth In feeble
tones from the quaint old organ. Two Ores
sonesi sing the "TanJum Ergo" to an an~
Gent air, and each one takes from his pocket
a small waxen taper, which he lights, and
the priest pronounces the benediction while
the odorous incense rises above peer and
peasant alike.
Then ell pass in procession following their
queen in front of the golden globe containing
the holy sacrament, whose radiance softly
illunines the bowed head as they pause a
moment TO bestow the reverential kiss.
A moment more they kneel in silent
prayer. Then all leave the church and con-
gregate In the square In front, where the
queen speaks a moment with those she
knows A few, having previously obtained
permission, are presented to her by Baron
PeccoZ.
The queen fingers but few moments and
soon the pretty red costume Is seen moving
away. 1t appears a moment on the little
bridge crossing the Lys. and then disappears
within the
GATES OF THE VILLA PECCoz.
On the street the queen simply bows to
all. The villagers call at her villa aud
register their names In the reception room.
But this is merely an act Of homage, as no
one expects to see her.
Sunday evenings, if it does not rain, and
the wind does not blow too violently, the
mountaineers kindle bonfires, which dispel
the darkness from many mountain tops
their bright flames making fantastic shapes
against the dark green background of the
woods, or bringing into prominence the
weird shapes of old gnarled tree trunks or
rocky crags.
beloved queen, the only way they know.
And her sweet, thoughtful face looking
out from her quiet mountain home is
lighted up with happy smile at the sight
of these simple tributes of loyalty from the
hardy mountaineers.
King Humbert and his fair wife are most
congenial friends and often enjoy joke at
each others expense. When their son, the
Prince of Naples, was in England he shocked
the English proprieties by relating the fol-
lowing stories about his royal parents.
The queen has q great passion for music,
aud is fine performer on the piano, while
| the king has neither musical taste nor
ability. Although his perfectly white hair
| and m oustache give sign that he 10 no longer
young, he seriously objects to the marks
| of time showing ON his fair queen and par
ticularly rebels against her use of eye
| glasses.
One evening as they we're costly seated
zen famille," the queen wishing to read
perhaps the evening paper-quietly ad-
| justed her glasses and settled herself for a
good time.
The king soon asked her to remove
THE OBJECTIONABLE LENSES.
She replied she could not see well without
them and she wished to read. He argued
that some one might read aloud for her
benefit, bat she preferred reading for her
self.
The king bore the infection In silence a
| few moments, and then exclaimed:
"It's Of no use &c try. / caunot endure
| IL. Margherita. IL you don't take of those
glasses I'll sang Rpo
This threat acted like magic, and the Of
Tending innocents were quickly removed.
1 Il is limited that tho long walks INDUCED