Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-11-07
MAIDS or HONOR.
A Russian school Where They Are
Trimmed.

philadelphia Timcs.)
Speaking OF the Russian schools. there Is
one academy at Moscow, which is unique
i'm it's way. l am sure that a similar insti-
tuition does not exist In any other country.
II is a school for young ladies' OF high
birth. whose parents desire that they
shall become maids OF honor at the impe-
rial court. The English Queen has only
six or eight maids OF honor. and believe
the royal attendants OF that description
are even fewer in number at courts where
there Is a Queen Regnant. Queen Regent,
or Queen Consort OF first-class rank. or
course. by "dueens" l also mean fem
! presses" All the reigning consorts
who have the imperial title are also
queens Empress Elizabeth. OF Austria.
is also Queen of Hungary; Empress Alex
andria. OF Russia, is Queen of Poland;
Empress Augusta Victoria. Of Germany,
is also Queen of Prussia. and Queen Vic
| toria Is also Empress OF India.
In Russia there are several institutions
which retain an Oriental flavor and the
fact that the Czarina is always surround
ed by an imposing bevy Of unmarried wo-
men Is a case in point. At least nifty
young women. all the daughters OK great
are in two ranks. ''cypher" and ''por-
trait" distinctions which ] will presently
explain. Candidates for the position OF
maids Of honor 10 the Empress nave thelI
title might be translated as "Overseer OF
the Maids" This Is often done a day or
two after the birth Of the aspiring young
/ ladies'. At the age OF ten they enter me
official school OF the maids Of honor, and
there they are taught everything pertain
ing TO the court as wei as everything
that that goes TO make weli-educated
young gentleWOman. The girls must ac-
quire the art of egible writing, and be
able to correspond fuently not only in
Russian, but in English, German, French,
and Italian. They must be able to take
dictatfon in al those languages rapidly.
They are also expected to become ia
miliar. not only with the routine etiquette
of their own and foreign courts, but they
must learn rules OF precedence. delicate
distinctions of rank, and other intrlcacles
OF court life almost impossible to eX-
plain to those who have not been born IN
the atmosphere OF the purple. Future
maids of honor are also required 10 DC
not only clever at embroidery, but capa-
HE if necessary. of ordinary domestic
stitching While I'm attendance there are
always possibilities OF ready needle be-
Ing required for the Empress or grand
duchess. They are expected TO know now
TO order a dinner and how 10 direct
cooks In the way Of preparing dishes IA
vored By imperial personases. They must
have a capacity OF BENZ . able 10 , rem
undue fatigue; of being able 10 stand toi
indefinite periods of being able TO receive
suubbings, seedlings, even abuse with pa
tfDUf gDTrnOGUTn. anu 4illhAl1s llfN ilAHA
! inculcate within them the fact that an
Tmpress or Grand Duchess is a parsonage
almost divine I'm attribute.
All these accomplishments acquired, or
anuarentiy acquired, II remains with a
maid OF honor lastly to be OF such favor
i'm her features her general appearance
and her dress that she enfOrces attraction
from the Empress, or from one or the
other Of the half dozen grand-duchesses
OF Russia. who are permitted TO have the
second pick Of the maids OF honor. after
the Czarina has finished her own appoint
ments Before, however, sucn appoint
ments can be ratified. the Car himself
fnsnects the candidates. Indeed, at vari-
Gus neriods the Car makes a point OF
visiting the school, and generally looks
over" the girls.
The Czarina's maids Of honor enjoy a
barbaric splendor Of costume that far eX-
ceeds anvthing 10 be seen at any other
| Furopeau court. a white satin robe
stretches from the chin 20 toes, the but
| tons up the front being set with precious
stones. over this IS thrown sort OF red
velvet cloak. embroidered with gold, and
having long pendent sleeves. on their
heads rests the kak0chnik or national
cap Of crimson velvet, thickly studded
| with Jewels from the summit OF which
hangs "a vel Of white tulle that spreads
halfway over the vOluminous train. This
Gorgeous array Is dOnned on all state oc-
| casions until the wearer passes from the
"cvpher" to the portrait stage or pro-
motion. The juniors wear Tor some years
on their left shoulders the monogram OF
their mistress worked III pale-Dlue sllh
Init after a period of service they substi-
tute for this the portrait Of the Empress
framed I'm brilliants, and exchange their
crimson and gold for a less radiant cap OF
green and silver. While receiving. theiI
education they wear plain Woollen trocks
with frilled silk aprons. but these dresses
are so contrived that the upper part of the
hodices and the long sleeves can be re-
moved at will Whenever the Car visits