The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-06-27

SopiiSS NlSlIOAS nave ledIISu III lnC
past week that Queen Victoria pos
sesses the finest stables in the world.
In them are housed such specimens of
horsefesh, such splendid carriages that
the stranger who is so fortunate as to
obtain permission to see them marVels
that such magnificence exists 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 it so gorgeous it is not con-
sidered advisable to make use of it.
When all these facts are taken into
consideration. one can understand that
the office of master of the horse to the
queen is not the sinecure it might seem
to the uninitated. He has heavy re-
sponsibility, does this official Upon
him develops the duty of passing upon
the conditions of both animals and
vehicles. He must be capable Of tell
ing at glance whether the animals
of her majesty have been properly
cared for He must know without in
Quiry 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 superintendent Of Lieut.. Nicholas,
of the British army. The entrance is
a Doric archway surmounted by a
clock tower, and the clock in this tower
is one of the finest in existence Pass
ing through the entrance, one finds
himself looking out upon a splendid
courtyard, around which are arranged
the stables and the houses wherein
the carriages are kept. The courtyard
makes a magnificent exercise ground,
and 1t is utilized for this purpose, at
almost all times of day.
Who has not heard of the queens
famous cream horses, the like Of which
are never seen? Nine of these beauti-
full animals-which were originally in
troduced from Hanover-are kept
there; needless to say they are only
used on very great occasions-in fact,
only for cOr0nations. the opening Of
parliament by the sovereign in person,
ETC.; but you will be interested in
knowing that they drew the queen
On June %. 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 well
provided for by the presence Of the
ninth animal in these news.
If you should be near the news any
summer morning about 6 o'clock, you
may see the entire team driven out to
the mark for PVprpiSa nv tho OF to
Coachman; then, they are, of course,
minus their state trappings. which form
no incOnSiderable 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 cwt.
1t is the most costly set of harness
in the news, and is rarely used-not
even on queens drawing room days.
The last time it was out was on the
occasion Of the wedding of the Duke
and Duchess of York; then it was ON
different horses.
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, sometimes
in teams; or on some very special oc-
casions six Of them will draw her
majesty If at any time the queen
should be driving behind the team of
cream horses, the coach of the next
parsonage of Importance would be
horsed in six blacks.
I was fortunate in visiting the news
on q 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
highness's own property, and is re-
cent addition. She holds the drawing
room today on behalf of the queen,
and SO Mr.. Miller-the state cOachman
drives her carriage. 1t is a fine equi-
page, painted in chocolate and blue,
with wheels of red and gold, and elabo-
rate gold dressings to the entire coach
The hammercloth is of scarlet and
royal blue with the arms in gold re-
lief. 4 large amount of plate-glass
window will presently give the sight
seer a good view of the royal Occu-
pants The interior is artistically lined
in blue figured silk rep, with drawn
lining of blue silk to the roof. in the
center of the outside top is a large
gold crown, while smaller ones appear
at the four corners. The rumble be-
hind will today accommodate four
state cOachmen.
Next comes the carriage which is to
fetch the Duke and Duchess of York;
lHiS Is one Oh d nulINDeI lecHHICdlly
called semi-state coaches, and can be
used either open or closed. Royal
guests are accommodated with these;
on such occasions they are harnessed
with blacks, and Positions are mount
ed. The visit of the German emperor
and empress to the city for instance
was made in this way. These coaches
are highly decorated with cords and
tassels of crimson and gold, and a
tilt o;f Of ctro Il
hammercloth also are full Y emblaZOned
with the royal arms in cOlorS. The in
teriors are lined with blue watered
silk, and riding in them must be par
ticularly easy, as they are hung on c
springs. The top Of the coach is not
50 elaborate as is the one of the Prin-
cess of Wales, neither is the dress of
the coachman; and today two footmen
only, will occupy the rumble.
By the side of the old state coach
the lord mayors coach fades into in
significance. It is Of the most wonder
full and gorgeous construction, and was
built at a cost Of nearly eight thousand
pounds, for the coronation of George
III. 1t never goes out now; were it to
do so, it would be sure to attract a
huge crowd, so elaborate and highly
ornamented is it in appearance. 1t
was designed by Sir William Cham
bers, and has some magnificent paint
ings on it by Gpriani To give you an
idea Of the extreme beauty of these
paintings, 7 may tell you that ten
thousand pounds has been offered for
the panel of one doorway, should the
coach ever be broken up. 1t has only
been seen in public twice during our
queens reign-at her coronation, and
again in 1851. The carriage and body
is composed as follows: Large Tritons
support the body by braces covered
with red morocco leather; the two fig
ures in front bearing the driver whose