New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-07-04
WALKING BACKWARD.
THE DIFFICULTIES AND DANGERS OF A
CUSTOM AT THE ENGLISH COURT.
QUEEN vICToRIAS INsIsTENCE UPON THE OBJ
SERvANCE OF THE FORMAILTY-SOMD
AMUSING INCIDENTS.

Among the many pecuarites OF etiquette at
the monarchica courts of Europe, there is none
that to American people must appear more
strange than the walking backward. 1t is an
accomplishment, nay, one might almost describe
it as an art that is by no means easy to &C
qure and yet which is Indispensable for those
who are called upon to bask in what is known
as the sunshine of royalty. Nowhere is it carried
to greater perfection nor more frequently prac-
tised than at the Court of Queen Victoria, and
the great officers of her household have during
the last three weeks been doing so much Of 1t
in connection with the various State functions
and ceremonies consequent upon the Jubilee
that they may experience some difficulty in re-
yerting to the normal and everyday method OF
progression.
1t is scarcely necessary to state that the
walking backward constitutes token of pro-
found respect. 1t is act of homage that men
Of the old regime in Europe still accord 10 every
great lady Of their acquaintance. when they
back out Of her presence at the conclusion Oh d
call. and is based on the doctrine that 1t Is DIS
courteous to turn their back toward any
entitled to Difference. The turning of the
back upon person is to such an extent dem
onstration Of disregard and contempt that 1t
has even come to be used as a figure Of speech
for the expression of aversion, and hence it is
not unnaturally forbidden by the etiquette of
most Of the courts Of Europe in the presence
Of royalty. At Berlin, at Rome, and at the courts
Of some of the more modern and minor dynas-
ties. the rule is not so strictly observed and in
the Prussian capital as well as at the Quirinal
l have often watched the great dignitaries of the
imperial and royal households with their march
ing wands Of office in hand. at the head of the
procession, turning their gold embroidered backs
full upon the Amounted of the Lord who fol-
lowed in their wake But at buckingham
Palace, at Windsor at St James's, the Lord
Chamberlain, the Lord Steward and the other
officers Of State invariably precede either the
sovereign or her children, walking backward,
keeping their faces toward royalty and their
backs to the remainder Of the world.
a DIFFICULT FEAT
Let any one try to walk backward along the
full length of big hall, bowling every few
steps. never looking backward and yet keep
ing in the proper direction-all the more i'm
portant to preserve since the officials thus
walking backward lead the royal procession
and ne will see how difficult it is to preserve
either ones dignity ones bearings. And very
often the walking backward has to be DONE
EOt merely on the leNeI, out also up ana GOWN
steps and stairs which is still more arduous,
and requires an immense amount Of practice
Indeed, those who not accustomed thereto
sometimes come to grief in the same man
ner as the Duke Of Argyll On one of the rare
occasions which Queen Victoria presided
at the opening of Parliament in State she
was attended by the Duke who, doing duty for
the nOnce as Lord High Steward of the Realm,
carried the crown on a velvet cushion. At the
conclusion of the ceremony, during which he
had occupied place on the dais Of the throne
in the House of Lords. he proceeded to move
backward from the presence Of Her Majesty.
He forgot, however the steps Of the dais, and
when he reached the edge of the latter he fell
backward, all huddled up in his long and heavy
erminc- barred. red peers robes. from the folds
Of which he was eXtricated with difficulty. The
crown shared in the mishap, for it rolled from
its cushion to the ground and number of the
stones dropped out.
The Queen, whose face showed more concern
than amusement, although the gravity of those
about her was sorey taxed by the spectacle pre-
gented by the Cock Of the North Gas HIS
Grace is styled in Scotland in consequence Of
his somewhat strutting gaiU, spoke a few kindly
words, expressing her hope that he was not
hurt and begging him not to be troubled about
the affair. and then swept out with her corteSe.
no sooner, however had she left the gilded
chamber than those present, comprising am
bassadors, great officers of state peers and peer
esses of the realm, prelates and judges were re-
quested by the officials Of the House of Lords
not to stir from their seats or to approach the
throne until the stones which had been dropped
from the crown had been collected. OF course,
\Ie object was to prevent the gems from being
Lliured by being trodden on. But it sounded
for n moment as if the officials entertained APP