The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-07-03
PORTLAND MAINE MORNING.
The ROYAL NEWS
Where Queen Vietoria's Horses Are
CHARTERED.
SOMETHING ABOUT SOME FAMOUS
ANIMALS.

The Horses Reserved For Her Majesty's
Exclusive Use and their Rich Trappings
"A State Coach too Gorgeous for Use in
These Quiet days.
London, June 3O.-Many of the Jubilee
visitors have learned in the past weeks
that Queen Victoria possesses the finest
stables in the world. In them are housed
such specimens of horsedesh, such splen-
did carriages that the stranger who is SO
fortunate as to obtain permission to see
them marvels that such magnifcence ex-
lists in this variety of even the Queens
possessions. Rarely bred, tall and strong
are the horses. The carriages range from
the very modest landau to one equipage
of state that is SO gorgeous it is not con-
sidered advisable to make use of it.
When all these facts are taken in con-
sideration, one can understand that the
office of Master of the Horse to the Queen
is not the sinecure it might seem to the
uninitiated. He has heavy responsibility,
does this official. Upon him devolves
the duty of passing upon the conditions
Of both animals and vehicles. He must
DO capable of telling at a glance whether
the animals of Her Majesty haye been
properly cared for. He must know with
out inquiry whether the carriages are in
proper state.
The Queens stables are popularity
known as the Royal News. They are,
odd as it may seem, located very close to
Buckingham Palace, and are under the
Immediate superintendent Of Lieutenant
Nicholas Of the British army. The en-
trance is Doric archway surmounted by
a clock tower and the clock in this tower
| is one of the finest in existence. Passing
through the entrance, one finds himself
looking out upon splendid courtyard,
around which are arranged the stables
and the houses wherein the carriages are
kept. The courtyard makes a magnif1-
cent exercise ground, and it Is utilized
for this purpose, at almost all times OF
day.
Who has not heard of the Queens IA
NOUS cream horses, the like of which are
never seen. Nine of these beautiful ami
mals-which are originally introduced
from Hanover-are kept here; needless to
say they are only used on very great occa-
sions-in fact, only for coronations, the
opening Of Parliament by the Sovereign
in person, ETC. The breed of these horses
is maintained in the Royal stables at
Hampton Court, and, should accident
or death arise in the team here, the
Hampton Court supply is drawn upon.
Emergency, however, is pretty we'll pro-
vided for blythe presence of the ninth
animal in these news
If you should be near the news any
summer morning about six O'Clock you
may see the entire team driven out to the
Park for exercise by the State coachman;
| then, they are, of course, minus their
State trappings, which form no inconsid-
cradle part of the show they make when
fully harnessed. This consists of gold
colored metal work with red morocco
The entire outfit for each horse weighs
over one hundred weight. 1t is the most
| costly set of harness in the news, and
| is rarely used-not even on Queen s
Drawing-room days.
| Next in interest are the famous black
| Flemish horses, standing each of them
| above eighteen hands high. They are
only used by the members of the Royal
| family, sometimes in pairs, some
times in teams; or on very special occa-
sions six Of them will draw Her Majesty.
If at any time the Queen should be dri-
wing behind the team of cream horses, the
coach of the next parsonage of import
| ance would be drawn by six black.
| was fortunate in visiting the news
on Queens Drawing-room day, and SO
had the opportunity of seeing the start of
the State coaches. First in Importance
| comes the coach for the Princess of
Wales; this is Her Royal H1ghness's own
property, and is recent addition. She
held the Drawing room on behalf of the
Queen, and SO Mr.. Miller-the, State
coachman-drove her carriage 1t is a
fine equipage, painted in chocolate and
blue, with wheels of red and gold, and
elaborate gold dressings to the entire
coach. The hammercloth is of scarlet
and royal blue, with the arms in gold
relief. A large amount of plate glass
window will presently give the sightseer
a good view of the royal occupants. The
interior is artistically lined in blue
figured silk rep, with drawn lining of
blue silk to the roof. In the centre of the
outside top is large gold crown, while
smaller ONES appear at the four corners.
The rumble behind will accommodate
four State coachmen.
Next came the carriage which was to
fetch the Duke and Duchess of York; this
is one of number technically called
semi-state coaches, and can be used either
open or closed. Royal guests are accom-
modated with these; on such occasions
they are harnessed with blacks, and
postillions are mounted The visit of the
German Emperor and Empress to the
city, for instance, was made in this way.
These coaches are highly decorated with