Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-06-10
A COURT PRESENTATION.
What You Have to Go Through at the
Queens Levee.
N Pearson's Weekly.

From Pearson's Weekly.
Although the office Of lord chamberlain
is not hereditary or even permanent-for
the holder has to retire when the life of
the ministry comes to an and-the post is,
nevertheless one of the NEST coveted at the
disposal of the queen.
TIC the lord chamberlain's care is in
trusted the key which unlocks the portals
to that mysterious generality known as So
ciety Unless those DESTROYS Of court pre-
sentation happen 10 be born of high de-
gree or can trace their pedigree back till
it is lost in the mists of antiquity, they
soon learn that, according to the official
code persons unknown to the lord cham
berlain in his official capacity are not en-
dowed, however great their wealth may be-
with any recognized social status.
Dates of levees are posted outside her
majesty's palaces with instructions setting
forth that gentleman wishing to be pre-
scented must leave a card with the name OF
the applicant and sponsor-who, OF course,
has been presented before-together with
letter stating that the gentleman himself
friends to be present, two Gear days be-
fore the ceremony.
The two days notice is for the purpose Of
allowing the lord chamberlain to consult
certain mysterious personases who keep
record of the doings of all Well-to-do folks
WHO have been tempted TO wander from
the beaten paths of responsibility.
Persons whose regulations are in the
least degree doubtful should not aspire TO
court presenta ion, for, although two days
does not seem long time To examine
whole careers through microscope, the
dreadful process known as "gaZetting OUT
is nearly always ready for application
within the prescribed period; and than
again the doubtful must not rejoice too
scon for official notices can be posted a
little later, making it known 10 all and
sUndry that such and such a presentation
has been Cancelled. And canceling is
sur neVer 10 be wiped out.
Four leVees are held every year at st.
James Palace, the Prince of Wales repre-
Scnting the queen VIII n her majesty is un-
able to be present.
On alighting at Holbein's Tower. 81.
James Palace, with the Two cards received
flom tie lord chamberlain, her maj -sty's
loyal subjects are CourteOuSiN received by
the royal servants, who, too well versad in
the manner of high life To appear greatly
impr- ssel with any ones appearance,
gracefully motion them toward an entrance
round which are clustered q number Of
Yeomen OF the Guard.
Court etiquette does not permit of spon-
s,TS remaining with their charges after en-
tCring the palace. There being, moreover,
nothing snug and coy about the rooms,
the visitors hurry through till the salon ad-
joining the throne room is reached, and
herr a strange and novel sight presents it
self.
No one can gaze on the scene for the first
time without being profoundly impressed.
The place seems literally ablaze with color
If we except the diplomats whose pale, in
tellectual faces peer out warily from the
large. heavily embroidered collars of their
dark blue coats
The costumes all belong to bygone age,
and their picturesquenesS cannot be denied.
Inc uniforms Of nearly every country,
from China to Peru, are represented. but
- .
During the rupture of diplomatic relations
between China and Japan, the representa-
tiveS of both these countries thought MT to
absent themselves from leVeeS. The Mon
golian etiquette requires d perpetual smile
on state occasions. and this at the time
was hardly possible
The hour. > pm, having arrived. her
ma jestyS bodvsuard of the Honorable
Corps of the Cent? men-at-Arms muster in
the picture gallery, TO be at once told off to
their duties in connection with the leyea
the most important being assigned to the
two who stand in the presence chamber
opposite tn throne till the ievee is over
The officers Of the household having ar
rived and taken up their positions about the
throne, the door on thu right hand of the
throne is thrSWn open, and at five minutes
past ) the Queen, or in her absence the
Prince of Wales or the Duke of York. en-
tiers, followed fy the royal family
The captain of the Queens Guard, in full
uniform, then advances, sautes with his
mend, and presents the guards report for
the day
This over, the levee begins As non, of
the hrst-class powers are disposed to con-
cede any precedence to each other the old
est ambassador is presented first, then fol-
lows the diplomatic circle after which the
general circle passes through
The time occupied depends of course. on
the number of presentations. When the
number Is about thousand an hour sees
the end of it,
AS the royal party remain standing
through the entire ceremony, it can scarce.
~ be doubted that in the case of a long list
OF presentations they must feel somewhat
relieved when it is all over.