Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-10-15
LIFE AT ROYAL COURTS.
Illusions Dispelled by Talk With L
Maid Of Honor.

Maid OF Honor.
High life above stairs is shown UP in
light that may dispel many illusions
il, conversation have just ha1 with
maid of honor to a northern queen.
The maid of honor is wealthy in her
own right, has time-out-of- mind pedi-
gree, and is daughter of an eminent
! statesman. Not satisfied with these
advantages, she thought how nice it
would be to enter not merely the
charmed circle of the court, but the i'm
penetralia Ito the ordinary mortals) of
the royal family. The queen to whom
she owed social allegiance, learning of
her wish, or weakness, deigned to
crafty it. Royalty would take it i'll
indeed if WEAKNESS of the place led to
retirement. The unfortunate maid of
honor's waits last for nine months,
good many of which are spent moving
about from one German spring to an
other. She is given ESQ a year, out of
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 a 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
hlIf no
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 linn
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-
lions are asked. Young members of
the royal family are held in by staid
attendants, though dying to vent the
animal spirits natural to their age.
They sometimes, bursting out, shake
with laughter at the slightest provoca
ton. Visits of other royalties delight
them, for these guests can be 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 amusemert is
exhausted at a house where he is a
guest he is sure to ask, what next?
What next?" The fair princess, his
wife, can play for a whole evening with
toy puzzle, and with non royal cCm-
panions thinks this the safest pastime
But with kindred royalties she throws
off all restraint and fait chanter lie
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 a 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 and
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. 1t is
impossible to waste-paper basket all
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, and
precautions to protect the royal per-
sons are multiplied.
The pests of the small courts are the
importance attached to etiquette and
the thin-skinnedness and jealousy OF
the courtiers. Great pests of all courts,
but chiefly of the greater are the hosts
of fussy people, humbugs Of all kinds,
and projectors who want to secure roy
al patronage as a means Of advertise
ment They are much more likely to
get it than the deserving, because their
instinct tells them how to make their
approach. Queens are now pestered
all over Europe with individuals who
imagine money is to be made in getting
I'D unions to secure artistic and liter
airy employment for women. The EN-
press Frederick is ready to help femi-
nine unions, but for handicrafts requir-
ing trained skill and talent, and not to
get poor scribbling or painting shot
into the market.-London Truth.