The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-11-19
BEFORE The QUEEN.
The Feelings Of Sanger in the
Queens drawing Room.
HER MAJESTY'S LOVE FOR THE
OLD SCOTCH SONGS.

Obey Many and PerpIexing Regulations
Dress and Manners Alike Under Close
Observation-Disclosures Hospitality and
Beautiful Presents.
Singers who are commanded to appear
before Queen Victoria are probably pro-
hibited by etiquette from exploiting more
than the fact of their appearance and
decription of the queens gift in connec-
tion with their name One of them has.
however, written the following anony-
NOUS account of her experiences for
Mainly About People, the London gossipy
weekly:
Singing before the queen is at once .
very delightful and very trying expert.
ence (writes a lady who had the honor OF
being summoned to sing before her ma
jesty at Balnoral little time ago.. The
manner in which my appearance In the
sovereign's presence was brought to pass
was altogether unusual, am told by pro-
fessional artists who have been received
at Balmoral. 1t came about in this way:
I was visiting at a country seat nsar the
royal abode, and one wet day, which kept
everybody indoors, very. great lady, who
was in close relations with the queen,
drove over in her carriage The noble
owner of the mansion asked me to sing
some Scottish songs for the duchess, who
was much pleased. Elbow they would
interest her majesty !''she said. sWouldn't
you like to sing for the gueenr OF
course assured her nothing would give
me greater pleasure, and said that I
would go to any part of the kingdom to
sing before her majesty.
Six weeks later received cordial let
ter from the duchess. who was one of the
queens bridesmaids, and one of her
closest friends, saying her majesty would
be pleased to receive me. An official in-
yitation followed. At 10 o'clock on the
night of the day named drove with my
mother to the castle. Two ladies' in wait
ing received us in palatial bedroom.
A wood fire crackled, and a table was
laden with efreshments-fruits cham.
payne and every delicacy imaginable.
was critically inspected by the ladies In
waiting. Thanks to frequent consulta-
lions with Lady--and other members of
the nobility with whom was acquainted,
my toilet conforined to the requirements.
If there had been the slightest deviation
the ladies would have reotified it before
my entrance to the drawing-room. The
corsage must be decollete. Had mine
been too low, the ladies would have COW
cred it; to high they would have lowered
IT. That is their business
Her majesty objects to suede gloves.
Only glace kid is tolerated. She dislikes
artificial flowers in the hair or on the
gown. Happily, my coiffure and train
were loaded wit b white plumes, which
she greatly admires At 1890, preceded
by an usher in.soarlet coat, knee breecnes
and powdered wig, and followed by the
ladies in waiting, descended through a
labyrinth OF lofty corridors, every door
sentineled by guards in livery, to an
anteroom. Presently the Marquis of
Lorne came in and told the ladies' in
waiting that her majesty was seated,
Then was led into the royal presence
The great drawing-room was aglow
with thousands of wax tapers. Along the
walls. stood guests to the number of forty
two. No guest is allowed tol sit in her
majesty's presence. In the center Of the
room sat the queen. Beside her was
Princess Beatrice, who was also seated
the only one accorded that privilege.
The queen wore black satin robe, the
front deliberately embroidered in jet. The
great train was of striped velvet. On her
head was tiny white cap, the strings of
which almost reached the.end of her train
From her shoulders. hung long sleeves of
rare old white lace, through which
cleaned her exquisite arms and hands.
The effect was beautiful She wore many
jewels, diamonds and pearls. noticed
particularly her earrings-huge diamonds
in long, old fashioned setting. They were
SO heavy that they dragged down the lobe
of her ear.
When I had made the low obeisance.
which had been diligently practiced. and
regained my feet without the upset
feared, stood by the piano while Princess
Beatrice read to hsr majesty the list OF
forty songs had prepared for her seleo-
tion. Her first choice was ssThe Flowers
o'the Forest, melody always played
over the graves of the servants and retain
ers of the queen. Her majesty heaIned
with pleasure when I had finished. Then
she asked for "Leezie Lindsy. "a very old
ballad. When had sung three songs, q
waiter in scarlet--all the attendants
seemed like giants--came in with silver
tray. and tea was served. The queen
thoughtfully asked me ii would prefer
champagne. as tea was not good for the
voice. thanked her, and said did not
care for refreshments until had finished
singing. After tea she called for "Conir'
Thro' the Rye" then for 1.-THE Keel
Row, (which she encored warmly. and
repeated it.
Then her majesty rose and walked
d'"""t'- 10 me, and crossing her bsautlIul
ma he piano asked who had trained
me- aid she had never heatd Scot
fish songs sung so we'll.
why have people allowed them to die
out?" she asked.