The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1895-02-25

in front of her. Then the MARQUIS per-
formed the ceremony of Introduction,
and the Queen extended her hand and
gave me the orthodox greeting. She well
coined me to Lisbon in perfect English
and carried on her part OF the CONVERSE
ton for several minutes with ease and
vlvacity, after which we bowed ourselves
out. l drew sigh of relief, and was
congratulating myself on having passed
the trying ordeal. When l was again
tapped on the shoulder by the Marquis,
who Informed me that | was to be pre-
sented to the Queen Dowager. Again we
formed and went through the ceremony
of marching and bowling. The Queens
mother does not speak English, and I
was forced to say what l had 10 say
through the Minister of Foreign Affairs,
who kindly came to my rescue. Few
Americans would be at a loss for words
to address the daughter OF Victor Eman-
uel, and when l told her that l Ielt deeply
gratlted at meeting her, both as Queen
and as the daughter of one whom all
Americans delighted to honor, she re-
sponded most 1eelingly and becomingly.
L was then presented to the Kings
brother, Dom Alfonso, and here the In
Productions terminated, and we returned
TO the diplomatic room.
THE RECEPTION.
In few minutes the corps of diplomats,
with the ladies accompanying them, the
ropes Nunclo, who is the dean of the
corps, leading the way, proceeded 10 the
tErone-room, when the gentlemen took
their places IN line facing the throne,
the ladies forming in q line at the end Of
the room to the left. immediately there
alter couple Of dignilaries appeared.
leading the way for the royal party. First
came the King and Queen, then the
Queen DOWager and the Prince and then
the numerous ladies in waiting composed
OF the tavorites among the nobility, They
were followed by the Cabinet Ministers.
and the scores of mobiles and military and
naval officers of high rank. When all
were assembled the King passed to the
head of the diplomatic line, and begin
ming there shook hands and held few
minutes conversation with each mem Der
OF the corps. The Queen did the same
with the ladies, and after greeting each
one she passed on, speaking to the gen.
tlemen, while the King went down the
line Of ladies, Offering his hand and say
ing few words to each in the same
manner.
A TRYING ORDEAL.
This ceremony concluded there came 2
trying ordeal tor the ladies of the Diplo-
matte Corps. The royal family seated
themselves in four chairs of state. on a
raised dais, and at signal the lady at the
head of the line walked alone and unat-
tI4ICCI W al pOluL ODDOSLlC Inc tllalt or the
King, where she made a profound court
esy. She proceeded a few steps farther.
opposite the chair of the Queen. and re-
peated the salutatiOn; then to the Queen
DoWager, where she courlesied again, and
finally, saluting the Prince with simply
bow, passed out of the room. When
she had gone, the second one Of the line
followed, and SO on until ali had gone
through the ceremony. | was told by
some of the ladies that nothing in life
tried their nerves like this lone display
before the royal family and the assem-
DIed hundreds, all of whom were intent
upon observing the dress bearing and
general appearance of the victim. They
declared that stage fright was nothing to
it. After the ladies had departed the
members of The Diplomatic Corps moved
around IN body, bowed to the King and
Queen, and passed out in the order that
they entered, and this terminated the
function so far as the foreign representa-
tlveS were concerned.
COURT DRESS.
l was officially informed that the regu-
lation court costume for ladies in Portu-
gal is a dress cut decolette. with train
three yards in length. Any color is per-
mlsslbIe except blue and white inter
mingled, which is forbidden to all except
ladies IN waiting. The most conspicuous
persons at one OF the state affairs is usu-
ally the American Minister in his sWal-
IOw-taiI coat and sOmber trousers He
eXcites almost as much curiosity as a
white black bird, the outside crowd espe-
cIaIly never ceasing TO wonder how on
earth person in such marvellous attire
ever gained admission to the palace
once upon time, however, man clad
in that simple garb. appeared in their
midst and stood beside the King, while
Princes and mobiles filed before him with
low obeisance. The men-Of-war IN the
harbor Numbered out salutes of welcome.
as, accompanied by King Luis, he rode
down the line of soldiery drawn I'D in
his honor, and DOTTED his silk hat as the
ranks filed nervously by on review. 1t
was the man then, and not the clothes.
that rlveted the attention of Prince and
peasant alike, for the fame of the simple
stranger had tillsd two continents, They
realized that golden traDpings do not al
ways cover great hearts, as, plain and I'M
decorated, General Grant galloped along
the bank OF the historic Iagus, the guest
of the King of Portugal!
Lisbon and its suburbs and summer re-
sorts at Clntra are restful places, and if
one does not realize that heis far from
the madding crowd when he treads the
winding streets of the latter, he need not
hope TO lind a peaceful by-way on this
earth; but, 10 my great regret, the climate
seemed TO aggravate my trouble and |
was forced 10 leave even before my sue
cessor could be appointed and qualified.
10 those with whom the climate agrees,
however, and who want complete rest
from the turmoil and hurly- burly Of lite,
l know of no spot that can surpass Lis
bon, and especially the gardens and
walks about Cintra.-Gilbert 4. Pierce
III the Cincinnati Gazette.