Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-11-06
QUEEN WIGS SERVANTS.

The Only Woman in the World Who Isn't
Worried by the Universal Problem
Trained From Childhood TO the Service
Some of Her Favorites.
rCoRRE sPoNDENCE OF THE DIsPATcH.l
LONDON, Oct 28-Queen Victoria, al
though burdened with the cares and ankle
ties involved by sovereignty over one of the
greatest empires of the universe, is exempt
from all trouble and worry in connection
with that blighting curse on the existence
of ordinary people, namely, the torment
ing and everlasting servant problem. Her
domesUics-and they are many in number
may be described as perfection. Their
fathers and their fathers fathers before
them have lived and died in the service of
the royal family, and, brought up from their
earliest childhood in an atmosphere i'm
pregnated with sentiments of discipline
and loyalty, they possess infinitely more
tact and finer appreciation of the border
line that separates obsequious servility
from manly, self-respecting devotion to
their royal masters and mistresses, than do
many eourtiers born and bred in more e1-
alted spheres of society.
They are content with both the relatively
moderate pay and the strict discipline,
aware that after certain number of years
service they not only receive pensions for
the remainder of their DAYS, but also
friendly care and helping hand in provid-
ing for the future of their children. Con-
trary to what might be imagined, the per-
quisties and walls of domestic servants
in royal employ are very small, the late
Prince Consort having some 40 years ago
effected sweeping reforms in connection
with the roval household which put a stop
to such abuses No servant, either of the
Queen or the Prince of Wales, has ever
enjoyed so large an income as that footman
of the Earl of n Northbrook, who some time
sgo testified under oath in a court of law
that although his regular wages amounted
70 but $500 annually, yet that he received
from s., 600 to s., 800 more a year in the
shape of tips from the Earls guests, whom
be was called upon to valet during their
stay at Stratton.
The Man Who Manages the Horses.
The Queens chief or state coachman is a
man of the name of Edwin Miller, who dur
ing the earlier portion of his career was en-
ployed to assist in the care of 35 saddle
horses kept for the use of the royal family.
After the death of the Prince Consort he
was transferred from Windsor to the roval
stables at buckingham Palace as one of the
assistant coachmen. For nearly IL wears
his duties consisted in driving the carriage
OF Colonel Sir Charles Maude, who bears
the title of Crown Equerry and who has
the direction not only of the entire
royal stables, but also of the royal
nd Of Dol
annual and very profitable sales are held of
the Queens yearlings Subsequently he
was entrusted with the charge OF breaking
in all the young horses used for the Queens
carriage, and IL is owing to his marvellous
treatment of them that they are all so quiet
and docile in their behavior, her Majesty
having never been subjected to any kind of
carriage accident throughout her long
reign. Some four years ago he was pro-
noted to the post of principal state coach
man, which he now holds. 1 may add, in
connection with Mr.. Miller's duties, that
an important point in training the Queens
horses consists in making them accustomed
TO the sound Of drums and bands of music
Doesn't Drive the Queen Often.
It is only rarely that Mr.. Miller has the
opportunity of driving the Queen, the last
occasion having been at the time of ber
jubilee, for during her ordinary visit to
London she usually goes about in barouche
drawn by four horses mounted by postil-
ions. These positions on such occasions
wear top boots, white leather breeches,
black Jackets and hats. On state occasions,
however, they don velvet caps, white wigs
and gold embroidered scarlet jackets.
The Queens personal coachman, who |
drives her at Windsor, Balmoral and
Osborne, and who likewise accompanies her |
during her annual visit to the Continent, is |
an elderly man of the name of Thomas |
Sands, and is a great fayorite of her Majesty |
in whose service he has been yery |
long, indeed. The Queen is exceedingly |
kind and considerate to him, and greets him |
always with friendly Good day." Fre-
euently, when the drives are long, the
Queen causes the carriage to be stopped and |
the tea equipage, which she generally car
ries about with her, to be extracted from
the rumble. Tea is thereupon brewed by
means Of a spirit lamp, and in partaking of
this gentle stimulant with her ladies in at
tendance, the Queen does not forget her
roachman, but invariably makes point of
pouring out cup for him too. On one CO.
casion, when her daughter, the widowed
Empress of Germany, was with her and at
tempted to pour out the tea for the coach
man herself the Queen took the cup away
from her under the pretext that she did not
|
sugared and creamed," and fixed 1t for him
herself
What Suit of Livery Costs.
The suits of state livery cost as much as
81 600, while those of the footman and of
the subordinate coachman range from $500
10 500. They are rarely used except when
driving the Prince of Wales or the Princess
rom Marlborough House TO either st. !
James, Palace or buckingham Palace for /
he purposes of holding levees and drawing
-ooms on behalf of the Queen. When
bese state liveries are renewed, however,
he old garments become the perquistes of |
he wearers, who derive a considerable sum |
rom the sale of the gold lace with which
hev are adorned. The Queens footmen
re quite numerous and commence with |
wages amounting to $3.50 a year, which in
curse of time rises to S400 per annum, but
10 further. Out of this money they have
O paw for their own washing. The royal
ootmen are, every one of them, over six
eet in height, and, of course, clean shayen. ,
When the Queen drives out one of these
ootmen is ordinarily seated in the rumble
f the rovaI carriage, the other place being
coupled by Her Majesty's Scotch gillie,
'rancis Clarke, who has succeeded to the