Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-01-12
DINING WITH VICTORIA.
Etiquette of Acceptance, of Conduct
Upon Arrival, OF Reception.

| NDhicdSO HecOrd.)
| Those persons who have the honor tc
dine with Queen Victoria receive a note,
which reads somewhat like this:
The Lord Steward is commanded by
her Majesty to invite Mr. Carter n. Har-
rison to dine at Windsor Castle on Satur-
| day, the twenty-seventh of November.
eighteen hundred and ninety-seven. at
nine O'clock =. NJ, and TO remain the
night"
Enclosed with the invitation, which is
written with pen I'm old-fashioned script
upon large card, is smaller card.
which reads:
"Paddington Station. $40 P. NJ. Please
hand this 10 the guard"
1t Is customary and necessary 10 re-
spond at once 10 an invitation from the
queen, and all other engagements must
be cancelled. Nothing but serious illness
Is considered a sufficient reason for de-
cllning TO obey her commands. and they
are not issued to sick persons Before
the lord steward sends out one Of these
invitations he takes care to ascertain
whether the person 10 whom It is adj
dressed Is in England and able TO accept.
The proper form for acceptance is:
Mr.. Carter Fl. Harrison accepts with
great pleasure the invitation OF her Ma
Jesty to dine at Windsor Castle at 81
o'clock on the evening of November 9TH"
Upon arriving at Paddington Station at
o'clock on the afternoon Of the dinner
the guest presents his card to the sta
ton master, or one of the guards, and |
Is escorted to a special car bearing the !
royal coat Of arms. and furnished with /
there are a number Of guests there is a.
special train. Gentlemen are accom-
panied by Wallets and ladies' by maids,
and the servants have their own apart
ments in the car. The ride 10 Windsor
on the quickest trains occupies forty min
utes, and usually an hour. The distance
Is twenty-four miles. Upon arriving there
the guests find two or three foOtmen and
other servants. One footman is told off
for each guest. takes charge Of his lug
gage, escorts him to his carriage and
looks after him, or her II it Is a lady,
until he or she is safely aboard the train
FOR London the next morning. The entire
)arty travels deadhead, and the expense
) charged TO the Minister Of the House
hold
The lord steward receives the guests as
hey reach the castle and directs them TO
heir apartments, which include sitting
DOM, . bedroom, a dressing and a
'ath. When the guest is a lady there is
always maid In attendance. II Is not
considered proper TO leave the rooms un-
II called for, and the guests amuse them
elves the best they can. Her Majesty is
he soul OF punctuality. She keeps her
ppOintments on the dot and expects her
ubJects TO do the same. If a guest is
yer late he or she is sentenced to per-
etual Punishment from the royal pres
nee. No matter what his rank or in
uence, ne never receives another inv
tl.r tlr.l
ttendants are in the habit Of admonish 4
~ guests as to the necessity OF being
ressed In time. They have fully two
ours and half after their arrival. and :
ave no excuse for hardness
Precisely at a quarter before a lady in d
aiting calls at the apartment OF each n
dy guest, and a gentleman In waiting
those or gentleman guest TO escort ,
lem TO the recepuon-roOm and present y
lem 10 each other zach gentleman is /
formed by his escort whom he Is 70 a
ave the pleasure OF taking 20 the table T
nd is properly introduced. He is also
l0wn OH diagram the seat he Is 10 oc- 4
10y at the table. After these prelimina- "
es are over the portieres that hide the
cond reception-roOm are thrown back b
disclose the lord steward. In full court 81
ess. with his gorgeous staff Of officers. ! A.
anding beside a stout, red-faced little "
oman. who sits on the edge OF a great
Il chair. By her side are usually two or a
rec princesses and maids OF honor and -
W. The guests then form a procession
the order OF their rank and pass before =,
r Majesty. who offers her hand to =,
EN- and murmurs a few pleasant words ST
val subjects always kiss the seams on ST
g back OF her white glove, but she does VI
Z like to have Americans do so. because -
g knows that this ancient custom Is
[ In vogue In our country. Therefore
len she withholds her hand from an
nertcan guest IL is an act OF courtesy
her than a slight. Americans are usual IA
informed In advance by their attend n
IS OF this popularity, and are prepared =
here is no time for conversation. Only
ew words are exchanged. Her Majesty
Tally asks Americans about the health oh
the President and his WIFE, and ex- ii
sses her interest IN their welfare. III
re has been notable incident or event 49,
the United States, she may allude 10 IT, ~
she Keeps well Informed concerning
rent events Sometimes she invites a
ST 70 take seat beside her, which is s
mark Of unusual distinction that was 10
ferred upon Mrs. Grant when she and 49,
General were visiting Windsor years =
}. and upon Mrs. John Hay during the -
lice ceremonies last spring iol
hen those in the party have all passed -
review they proceed In the same order ~
the dining-rOom, and each stands be-
d his chair until the Queen enters on
arm OF one OF her sons, or sons-in- S
7. or In their absence, on the arm OF a :
ii OF honor She is always dressed in :
TX or gray. If in black she wears white s
yes. II I'm gray. black gloves She car :
an ebony gold-headed cane Uusuaily
East inolan servants In brilliant ma
costume follow her and waft upon her S
the table. Before her Majesty takes 5
seat one OF the court chaplains says 5
20. She never sits with her guests, but
a small round table at the end Of the Pc
n near the door. and seldom has moxs
4 one companion who may be one L
daughters, or the senior maid OF honor
ady In waiting. This Is due 10 her Ma
y's feeble health. She cannot sit 81
ugh long dinner. and quietly slips pin