The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-06-24
sUIrs INs.IrruD.
Canadian Court Life.

1t is In the Senate-Chamber that the
drawing room is held. Before their Tx
cellencies the GovernoT-General OF Can
ada and the Countess OF Aberdeen the
loyal subjects of the greatest li;tie wO-
man OF the greatest nttle country and
It's wide provinces IN all this wide world
present themselves, in single line, drop
their cOuTteSieS or make their bows.
and pass on to observe those who come
after. The courtesy is the feature OF the
evening. Ii IS watched by critical eyes,
and later discussed. Even the saluta-
lions OF their EXcelleLcles themselves
are not above discussion or comparison.
No one bowed as the Princess Louise
did, IL Is still Loyalty asserted, gradual
ing the degree OF her gTacIOusnns TO the
Difference and depth OF the subject S
courtesy. 1t was pleasant and a dig
nlned sight-the household and aides in
full uniform, and Major Urquhart, Of
the Cameronlon Guards, glorious in the
grandeur Of his Highland regi-
ment, paraded the place with
as stirring an effect as an entire reg-
ment would have done. The procession
OF fair danes and sturdy British men
was up to the occasion in pose and poise.
ana although court dress was cOnspicu-
Gus by its absence, though there were
no jewels TO speak OF. a stateiness born
OF the moment prevailed, and the sim
piicity excluded from the scene or the
description that terrible adjective Vul-
gar, which our own duchesses dorees,
and the wonder of their royal jewels
bought with democratic gold often fnd
Joined TO the acucrate portrayal Of their
pOmpS and Vanities
Two little pages, in blue velvet court
costumes, with big white rufus, bore my
ladys train as she passed out TO the ia
miliar strains Of God save the Queen"
In piquant opposition TO these semi
royal functions are the life at Govern
ment House and the views of Lady Aber-
deem. Rideau Hall IS a scrambing, ramb-
ling gray-stOne structure with no archi-
tectural beauty, and the frugal air, on
entering, astonisheS strange eyes. Two
mismatched coal-stoves decorate the
sides Of the hall, and sheets OF tin are
tackled 'rregularly against the Cheaply
papered wall and the banisters TO pro-
tect them from the heat. The floor Is
covered with oil-cloth. Lady Aberdeen's
views match this plain democratic as
pect OF things. At the evenings at home
the guests are entertained by the sing
ing ana plano-piaying OF the women
employees. At the drawing-rOOm two
OF the four ladies-n- waiting were the
private secretary OF her EXceliency and
the chlldren's gOyerness. The dear
Thackeray, who rejOlced over Miss Wirts'
position in the SnOb family, would have
been still more deeply touched by this |
recognition OF a self-suppOrting. charm |
ing gentlewoman. More democratic still |
are the clubs at Government House /
Haddo Club was formed by Lady Aber- |
the servants. The butler Is the presi- |
dent The members meet every Thurs |
lay evening talk. discuss. relate. \
gardener told Of his travels in Norway
At recent meeting Of the club. The
servants are given the prefix Of Mr. and
Yrs. and Miss. and Mrs. Jones and Mia
smith housemaids. find themselves ele-
'ated TO the same social plane as the rest
II the household. There is tennis club
made up Of servants that plays each
week against the club composed Of aides
our phlistne friend might suggest that
here was a Gilbertian flavor TO this
emocratic court life Certainly the con-
rasts are striking. and Captain Reece
of the mantel-piece." could
ardly have oblterated rank more COM
letely in his
efforts 10
Promote the comfort OF his crew"
han does her Excellency in this level
ng to one rank all her household
Our idealist would. however. feel the
ruer modern note struck by this large
minded woman. and appreciate its sig
ifcance. Certainly. while the present
ioverner-General represents the Queen
ere. the court Of Canada may be called
ne most democratic exhibition Of royal
, in the world.-Harper Weekly.