New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-10-11
MAIDS or HONOR.
A RUSSIAN SCHOOL WHEREIN THEY ARE
TRAINED.
From The Philadelphia Tines.


From The Philadelphia Tines.
sn.allng of the Russian schools there Is one
opIr,rv al Moscow whlcn * unique In it, way.
am sure that similar institution does not exist III
ay oihIr tb whose parents desire that they shall
become maids Of honor AZ the Imperial coupt in S
honor. and | believe the royal attendants OF that
description are even fewer III huinpc, 800 -. oo'' 20
Queen Censor, of hrst-class rank OF course by
Queens also mean Empresses All Al me reign,
Queens Empress Elizabeth Of Austria Is p also
Queen OF ungary Empress Aexanap"y OF msS ~
GERMANY IL also Queen OF Prussia and Queen Vic
In Russia there several institutions which re-
tain an Oriental flavor and the fact that the ear
unmarried women Is "A case in point AT least hfty
young women, all the daughters OF great mobiles ,,'s
.cypher' and portrait" distinctions which will
presently explain. Candidates for the position Of
maids OF honor to the Empress have their names
registered by court official whose title might be
translated as "overseer Of the Ma aids . This Is
P ir Young ades The Of ten they enter
they arc taught everything pertaining 10 the court
as well everything that goes TO make Wi
onirc tho art Of iegble writing and be able 10
correspond nuenty not only in Russian but in Eng
able TO take dictatlon IN all those languages rapi ily
Thcy are also expected TO become familiar not only
courts but they must learn rules of precedence;
delicate distinctions OF rank and other OF
who have not been born in the atmosphere OF the
nurpIc Future maids OF honor are also required
necessary Of ordinary domestic stitching. While
in attendance there are always possibilities OF
ready needle being required for inc Empress or
C;rand-luchcss. They are expected to know how to
order n dinner and how to direct COOKS IN the way
of preparing dishes favored by imperial person
ages. They must have a capacity OF being able to
fatigue OF being able stand for indefinite periods
OF being able to receive snubbings scodinxs. even
abuse with patient composurc. ana finally they
must inculcate within them the fact that IN EN-
press or Grand-duchess Is parsonage almost d.
vine In attribute . ,,u, 49, .
entity acquired 1t remains with a maid OF honor
lastly be OF such favor In her features her gem
eraI appearance and her dress that she enforces
attraction from the Empress or from one or the
other of the half dozen Grand-duchcsses OF Rus
sia who are permitted to have the second pick OF
the maids of honor after the Czarina has finished
her own appointments. Before. however; such ap-
spects the candiiates Indeed, Mt various periods
the car makes n point Of visiting the school, and
generally looks over the girls.
spendor OF costume that far exceeds anything to
be seen at any other European court A white
up the front being set with precious stones: Over
this is thrown sort OF red velvet cloak. en-
brodered with gold. and having long pendent
sleeves On their heads rests the kakochnk. or ma
tionaI cap Of crimson velvet thickly studded with
Jewels from the summit Of which hangs a veil OF
white tulle that spreads halfway over the volum,
nous train This gorgeous array Is donncd on all
state occasions until the .wearer passes from the
"cypher' to the portrait stage OF promotion
shoulders the monogram Of their mistress worked
In pale blue silk but after period OF service they
framed in brilliants, and exchange their crimson
and gold for less radiant cap Of green and silver.
wooen frocks with frilled silk aprons. but these
dresses are contrved that the upper part OF the
and the SnS v, can n. p Schools M &
Girls appear decollete.