Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1897-08-04
QUEEN ELIZABETH.
christmas Rcvels PefOre Her Majesty
in GreeAwich House.


In St. Nicholas there is an accoun,
of Christmas reve,s before Queen
i;liz lbeth. the description occurring IN
John Bennet's serial. Master Sky
lark" The following is the passage:
The palace corridors were lined with
guards. Gentlemen pensioners under
arms went flashing to and fro. Now
aud then through the inner thronS
some handsome page with wind blown
hair and rainbow -coaored cloak pushed
to the great dcor calling: Way, sirs,
way for my Lord!-way for my Lady
Of Alderstone?' and one by one, or in
bltEe groups. the cOurtiers, clad In
silks and satins, ve'vets, Jewels, and
lace Of gold. came up through the lofty
fold'ng-doors to their place in the hall.
There, where the Usher Of the Black
Rod stoot. and the gentlemen OF the
chamuer came and went with golden
chains about their necks, was bowing
and scraptng without stint, and rever-
ent c!vility: for men that were wiss
and noble were passing by. men that
were handsome and brave: and ladies
sweet as a summer day. and AS fair to
sec as spring, laughed by their sides
and chatted behind their fans, or
dainti!y nihbled comfts. lacking any
thing to say.
Tie windows were all curtained u,
making q nighttime In midday; and
from the walls and galleries faring
links and great bouquets Of candles
threw On eddying food Of yellow light
across the stirring scene. From clump
to clump Of banner-sfaves and burn
ished arms. spiked ab9Ye the waist
Goa, garlands Of red-berried holly,
spruce, and mistletOe were twined
pcroSE the tapestry. till all the room
was bound about with chain Of living
green.
There were sweet odorH floating
through the air. and hazy threads Of
fragrant smoke from perfumes burn
Ing in rich braziers: and under foot
was the crisp, clean rustic Of new
rushs.
Master Gyles went to and fro, twist
ing the manuscript OF the Revel in his
hands, or pousing kindly to pat some
faltering lad upon the back. Nick aud
Coll'y We're peecs;de by turns through
d ffoic In the screen at the throng in
the audience-chamber.
They could see a confusion Of fans,
Jewels, and faces, AM now and again
coul,l hear burst of subdued laughter
over the steadily increasing buzz OF
voices. Then from the gallery above.
all a. once there CAM murmur Of IN
struments tuning together; q voice In
the corridor was heard calling, Way
here way herew In masterful tones;
the tall folding doors ut the side of the
hall swung wide, and eight dapper
pages in white and gold came In with
the Masters Of Revels. After them
came fifty ladies and noblemen clad In
white and gold, and guard OF gentle
men pensioners with glitterinS hal
herds.
There was a sharp rustic. Every
head In the audience-chamber Iouted
low. Nick's asart gave a great jump
for tue Queen was there!
Shs came with an mir that was at
once serious and royal. bearing herself
haugutlly, yet with certain grace and
sprik htliness that became her very
well. Shs was quite tall and well
made, an,, her quickly changing face
was long and fair, though wrinkled
and 10 longer young. Her complexion
was .lear and of an olive hue; her nose
was little hooked; her firm lips were
thin; and her small black eyes. though
keen and bright, were pleasant and
merry w,thal Her hair was a cop
perry, tawny red, and false, moreover.
In her ears hung two great pearls; and
there was n fine small crown studded
with diamonds upon her head, besides
n necklace of exceeding fine gold and
jewels about her neck. She was at.
tired In a white silk gown bordered
witt, pearls the size Of beans; and over
1t woe a mantle Of black silk. cunning
ly slot with silver threads. Her run
was vast. her farthiDGale vaster; and
her train, which was very long, was
borne bv marchicneSs who made
more ado about It than Elizabeth did
of ruling her realm.