The times., 1898-11-20
royal household costs more than sscOo

royal household costs more than f3,0OO
per annum.
When the queen makes her annual visit
to the continent fifty servants are taken
along and thirty new ones engaged.
No servant is ever dismissed from any
of Queen Victoria's royal palaces. To
this is attributed the freedom of gossip
about her majesty's household arrange
ments. When a marriage occurs. the
couple are usually provided with small
post, carrying with it a residence, Nest
of the royal lodges are occupied by
couples who have served her majesty for
many years.
All the servants who were In the
queens household during the lifetime of
the prince consort receive each Christ
mas pieces of solid silver in any shape
they prefer up to a certain value. They
are sent with a large blaek-bordered card
inscribed with good wishes from her
majesty and the prince consort.'
The oldest servant of Queen Victoria
Is yeoman jailor Stephen Sweeney of the
tower OF London. He holds the obsolete
office of headsman of the tower. His
costume is that of the reign Of Henry
VIII, and his ak, always kept sharp and
, bright. is just such one as was used
to cut off the heads of Henry's wives.
'The Flowers O. the Forest" is a pet
melody with Queen Victoria and one
which for forty years or more has always
been played over the graves of the SER
wants and retainers OF her majesty.
In memory OF the woman who nursed
all the queens children and many of
her grandchildren, a monument has been
erected, designed by the Princess Louise
and inscribed, I'm grateful and loving
memory of Mary Ann Thurston. by V. r.
/. and her children, Victoria, Albert Ed
ward, Alfred, Helena. Louise, Arthur
and Beatrice"
There are 1900 people upon the German
emperor's list of employees, including $50
women servants who are engaged in
looking after the % royal palaces and
castles that belong to the crown Their
wages are small The women receive not
more than 81 month and the men ser
wants from SIS to SIS a month.
The court of Pope Leo XIII comprises
1000 persons. There are 20 yalets, 120
prelates, 10 privy chamberlains. cham
berlains, 800 extra honorary chamberlains
| 1870 supernumerary chamberlains, 30 Off
GERS of the noble guard, 60 guardsmen. II
officers of the Swiss guard and police
guard, honorary chaplains. 20 private
secretaries. 10 stewards and masters of
the horse and 50 doorkeepers.
The servants and officials employed at
the White House, no matter in what ca
pacity. wear no distinctive mark, and the
attendance is spoken of as ''sIouchy" :"
Social gatherings Oh this account, are
| thought TO lack dignity. No mistress OF
the White House, however, seems TO think
| it wise to disturb the existing order OF
| things.
Forty servants is the average number
| employed by the Astors, Vanderbilts and
| other multi-millionaires, with an average
payroll of 81. 900 month
| The AstOrs prefer unmarried servants.
! Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt discharges a
servant at 4 moments notice, but in ad-
| dition TO her wages presents her with so.
Mrs. Oliver II. p. Belmont prefers men
| servants of hercuean proportions Her
new footman is about seven feet high,
| and otherwise in proportion. He l.
| thoroughly English-was discovered in
England, in fact. He is also thoroughly
| trained, and powders his hair.
| The Rockefeller servants are on duty
| certain hours, with certain hours 70!
| themselves, and they remain indefinitely
| none ever leaving of his own accord
| Very many marry. and their children
| too, remain as part of the family bel "
| stairs.
| Sometimes old servants come to look
| upon themselves as fully as important as
| anyone else There is a cook in Mr.. Ell
bridge T. Gerry's family who will only
| cook when she feels like it Naturally
| she is not relied upon to do anything
! Becky Jones, the Hammersley servant
who went to jail with her cat and parrot
rather than betray family secrets, is now
in England living a life of ease on the
bounty of the Duchess of Marlborough.