The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1897-06-05
QUEEN VICTORIA TO VISIT ctiyfDtn.
The Rules Of Etiquette to Be OBJ
served on the Occasion.

6oTF0O on the occasion.
Mr.. Aston Nor Any One Else Allowed to Sit
Down in the Presence Of Royalty
Until Vic Gives the Signal.
The reported intention of Queen Vic
toria to visit Cliveden, the country seat
of William Waldorf Astor, on the banks
of the Thames, an honor never before
conferred upon an American, naturally
causes much interest in the etiquette
which will be observed on the occasion
Her majesty Is passionately fond of
flowers, and is likewise much interested
in arboriculture, and these tastes some
times lead her to undertake expeditions
which she would otherwise not care to
attempt. Thus, when at Windsor the
Queen occasionally extends her daily
drives to Dropmore, Lady Fortescue's
beautiful place on the river, for the
purpose of inspecting the Incompatible
pinarlum, which is one of the features of
the district. Dropmore Immediately ad /.
joins Cliveden, of which a magnificent
view can be obtained. Having heard of
the unrivaled collection of roses, which
was one of the pet hobbies of the late Mrs.
Astor, and on which the American multi
millionaire had spent an enormous amount
of money both before and after her death,
the Queen has more than once expressed
wish to visit it.
Since then the lavish subscriptions of
Mr.. Astor to the fund for the relief of her
famine-st stricken subjects in India as we'll
as to other charities in which he is more
particularly interested, have been brought
to her notice. Had Mr.. Astor been an
Englshman it is probable that royal rec
ignition of his muni6cence would have
taken the form of title, especially in
view of the fact that bis money is largely
invested in real estate and has come to
him by Inheritance instead of through
questionable transactions in connection
with the shares of joint stock companies.
But inasmuch as be has abstained until
now from acquiring British letters of nat
uralization no such course is open to her,
and consequently she has decided to graf
ify her own curiosity about his roses and
his exquisite orchids, while comforting
upon him mark of distinction which,
save in the solitary and especial case of
now been restricted to the grandest and
highest mobiles of the realm.
The Queen differs in this from her chill
dren. She has very keen sense of her
own dignity, and thoroughly realizes the
extent of the favor which she is confer
ring in visiting the houses of any of her
subjects. She does not, as rule, permit
her tastes or her desire for amusement to
influence her in the slightest degree in
such matters, and never comedies the rare
distinction of personal visit unless con
WINGED that the person is in every sense of
the word deserving of the honor.
OF course, the Queen will not dine nor
sleep ut Cliveden, as the Prince of Wales,
his brother, the reigning Duke of SAKE
Coburg. as we'll as his sister. Princess
Louise, have done. But it is probable
that, after having inspected the roses and
the orchids, the Queen will partake of
some slight refreshments in the shape of
afternoon tea before returning to Windsor.
Young Miss Pauline Aston, whose presen-
tation at court does not take place till |
next year, will, therefore, enjoy the some
what unusual advantage of IA private intro
duction to her majesty almost full year
before her regular debut; for, of course,
it is she who will replace her mother in
doing the honors as hostess to the Queen.
There are certain rules and regulations
to be observed in connection with these
visits of the Queen. Her majesty, when
visiting Ciiveden, will be received, on
alighting from her carriage, by Mr.. Astor
and his daughter, but by no one else, all
the other members of the family, all the
visitors who may happen to be staying in
the house, remaining out of sight. Mr..
Astor who will offer his arm to the Queen
and conduct her to the drawing. room,
where afternoon tea has been made, spe-
cial care being taken that the drawing.
room shall be on the ground floor, so that
her majesty may have no stairs to ascend.
The Queen will seat herself. Every one
else. Mr.. Astor and Miss Aston and her
majesty's gentlemen and ladies in wait.
ing, will remain standing until the Queen
motions them to be seated. Nor does any
one take part in the high tea unless spe-
cially invited by the Queen, who gener-
ally makes an excellent meal, showing
great partially for shortcake and cream
scenes. She usually Inquiries after the
children of her host and expresses desire
to see them, upon which they are admit
ted to the honor of presentation, kissing
her hand, and Miss Aston will likewise,
at her reaeest, mention the names of the
people staying in the house as visitors;
whereupon Victoria, if she knows any of
them personally or by reputation, may
express desire to see them. But unless
she does so they are compelled to keep out
of sight.
On her departure she will be escorted
to her carriage by Mr.. Astor and his
daughter, as we'll as by all those who have
been presented 10 her. This is the usual
governing a visit from the sover-
eign of England.-New York World.
Notes OF Interest.