Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-05-15
THE QUEENS GUARD.
Ii seems to Have Lively Work Cut
Out for 1t.

| Correspondence of the Dispatch)
| LONDON, May There are no proud
er men in her MaJestys dominions to-
| day than those ancient gentlemen
quantity appareIled, who are known Off
cially as the Yeomen of the Guard, unoffi-
cially and irreverently as ''beef-eaters."
| The reason that the Yeomen Of the Guard
are strutting around like so many pea
cocks is that the entire corps has just
been fitted out with new uniforms, and
presents as gay a spectacle, and almost
as imposing a one. as an Easter parade
on Fifth avenue, New York.
The Yeomen Of the Guard constitute one
Of ire tlme-honored Institutions that are
as dear to the hearts OF Engnshmen as
the white cliffs that encircle their native
shores. 1t is an ancient corps recruited
from ancient men, and every man has seen
service In battle.
The Yeomen OF the Guard are q hum
dred and forty old soldiers. The corps
was first formed in 1885 by King Henry
VII, and the quaint costume they wear
to-day is the identical costume that was
adopted as the uniform over four nun
bred years ago.
The officers OF the corps are captain,
who is usually a peer of the realm;
lieutenant, and an ensign. There is also
a clerk, called an ad1utant. All these
appointments are held by old army off,
GERS. and are considered as very impor-
tant positions. The whole expense of the
corps is carried on the sovereigns civil
list. The headquarters Of the Yeomen of
the Guard is at the Tower Of London.
American Visitors 10 the gray ola
tower are familiar with the sight OF the
'Deet-eater," who pilots the slgntseers
around the various dungeons and apart
ments, occasionally hating the little
convoy TO rattle OFF what is intended TO
be a full history OF the points of inte-
rest, date OF the structures erection,
names and crimes of the men who have
lived and died in the dungeons, and the
dark deeds committed there. II the visit
or. by the closest attention, can catch
ten words of the guides remarks, he or
she is lucky, for, what with the yeoman's
speech being ratified Off in a breath, the
TO American ears extraordinary accent,
rendered still more unintelligible by the
age of the speaker, the latter might as
well be talking in the dialect of the
Sioux indian Tor ali the meaning his
word convey.
The "beef-eater' of the Tower OF Lon
don, however, is not the pick of the corps
Of yeomen. These latter are In attendance
upon the sacred person OF the Queen her
self. Their title is heightened out to
Her Majesty's Body-Guard of the Yeo-
men of the Guard" and the men who
compose this branch or the corps are
veterans who have greatly distinguished
themselves in the Queens service On
her MaJesty's 'drawing-room' days the |
\ eomen or the Guard are among the |
most important personages IN her King |
dom. Halbert in hand, their quaint coats |
with the royal arms, berib- |
boncd and berufIied and with every |
lard-won medal in sight, the yeomen |
stand on guard in the royal apartments, |
md are looked upon with envy by the |
titled danes who are forced to 60 |
through the ordeal Of being mauled and /
rushed before they reach the holy or |
iolies, to which these ancient men Of the (,
lncient body-guard have such ready ac-
,ess.
The accompanying photograph SHOWS
some of the yeomen in their new uni
orms, in full regaiia, and armed with
he queer old weapons Of other days. The
was taken at the Tower or
sondon.