Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1896-10-15
LIFE AT ROYAL COURTS
Illusions Dispelled by a Talk WITH .
Maid of Honor.

High life above stairs is shown IN i
a light that may dispel many illnsions
III a conversation have just hal with
maid of honor to a northern auaen
The maid Of honor is wealthy 10 s.,
own right, has time-out-of-mind nodi
gree, and is daughter OF an eminen.
statesman. Not satisfied with tboss
advantages, she thought how nice 1
would be to enter not merely IN
charmed circle Oh the court, but the i'm.
penetraha Ito the ordinary mortals1 \.
the roral family. The queen Ia who,
she owed social allegiance, learning i
her wish, or weakness, deigned to
crafty 1t. Royalty would take Ii IN
indeed If WEAKNESS Of the place led IL
retirement. The unfortunate maid Il
honor's waits last for nine months
good many Of which are spent moytno
about from one German spring To An.
other. She is given ESQ year, out ~
which she has to keep her maid This
keep includes the price of demi-pension
in the palace and wages. Though the
queen leads for her station, quiet life
there are good many state pageants
and public drives in open carriages
This involves good deal of expensive
dressing. Etiquette does not ordain
that her majesty should be consulted
about the toilets, but less covenances
do. The maid of honor should be hand
somely but not too handsomely dress
ed. Her belongings should be subordi
nate to those of her royal highness.
Her unvarying manner should be one
of even cheerfulness. A betrayal OF
tedium would be thought bad form.
Nervous headaches must be concealed.
One does not speak until spoken to-
The subjects of conversation are lin
tied, because so many subjects would
be unsafe If repeated. Thus, that kind
of scandal which goes in at one ear and
out at the other is tabooed. But seri-
Gus fault may be found If leading ques-
tions are asked. Young members of
the royal family are held in by staid
though dying to vent the
animal spirits natural to their age.
They sometimes, bursting out, shake
with laughter at the slight sst provoea-
tion. Visits of other royalties delight
them, for these guests can he jolly as
they please and start subjects Of con-
versation. A prince of European re-
pute for his indefatigability in fighting
against tedium of court life is rick
named to his royal nephews and nieces
.Uncle What Next?' The reason is
that when one form of amusemen. Is
exhausted at house where he IL
guest he is sure to ask, What next?
What next?" The fair princess, his
wife, can play for whole evening with
tov puzzle and with non royal com
panions thinks this the safest pastime.
But with kindred royalties she throws
off all restraint and fait chanter le
piano, throwing into the instrument all
the feelings she has had to keep to he--
self, unless in her Sunday visits to the
kennel. There is scarcely royal per-
sonage in Europe who does not dote on
dogs. They can be themselves with
their dogs, and familiar without fear OF
breeding contempt.
The desk of the kings or queens
secretary is like the pool OF Sloan be-
fore the angel touched it. All the ills
to which flesh is liable are represented
there. In sad letters, some true ana
some false, morbid and vain persons
delight to reveal their uneasy con-
seriousness to heads of states and their
consorts. The mania is worse IN Prot
estant than in Catholic countries. u Is
impossible to waste-paper basket az
the appeals for help and recognition OF
unsuccessful talent When there is
letter showing the sense OF a permanent
grievance, it is sent to the police anu
precautions to protect the royal per
sons are multiplied.
The pests Of the small courts are the
Importance attached to etiquette anu
the thin-skinnedness AMI Jealousy q
tho courtiers. Great pests OF all courts
but chiefly of the greater, are the hoses
of fussy people, humbugs OF all kinas'
and protectors who want to secure roy
al patronage as means OF adVerllse-
ment. They are much more likely e
get it than the deserving, because theii
instinct tells them how to make theli
approach. Queens are now pestereu
all over Europe with individuals VINO
imagine money is to be made III get.ins
up unions to secure artistic and iller-
airy employment for women. me hli,-
nress Frederick is ready to help feml-
nine unions, but for handicrafts reduil-
ing trained skill and talent, and not %
get poor seribhling or painting shos
into the market. Truth.