Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-04-27
THE QUEENS HORSES.
How They Are Observation-Disclosures "a
the shouting Crowds.


The residents of Buckingham Palace
road are specially favored in the matter
Of display. Twice a day the guardsmen
march from barracks 10 ST. James
Palace with drums beating and colors
flying, and every fine morning an inn
posing cavalcade may be seen prancing
out of Buckingham Palace gates.
The procession consists Of all the
queens horses and all the Queens men,
and its object is to give the royal animals
their daily exercise. The sleek, wcll-kept
horses and the comfortable. well-kept
men astride them proclaim regal state AZ
every step. and the weary journalist
looks at them with envy, and Is not sure
which he would rather be-one of the
Queens horses or one of the Queens
men.
They do not seem to have a single
worry about them. II is plain that the
cares which surround a throne do not eX-
tend 10 the stable.
The horses leave the news at about $3.50
Tor a two-hours airing in the parks. Somr
times It is Hyde Park. sometimes Re-
gents. sometimes the Green, and some
times ST. James. I'm one respect the
queens horses are SuhJctlcb 10 Il 0b'Nlai
training. when they take Kings and
Princes abroad they have to travel
through crowds and connections. II
would not do for them TO shy when dis
tinsuished personages should be wearing
their most gracious and dignihed air. \
royal Prince may be thrown at military
manoeuvres with no worse result than
causing the Tommies 70 smile. But IL
would be awkward for the same Prince
10 be i'm a runaway accident at London
ceremonial. 1t might disturb the pro-
gramme. Therefore, the Queens horses
are trained so that the shouting Of
crowds. the huttering OF flags and the
clamOr OF brass bands shall be no more
10 them than the tollng Of a church clock
10 the sedate bus horse. once In a way
Captain Nicholas. the superintendent OF
the news, gathers a number or healthy
youngsters. warranted 10 make a noise in
the courtyard. He gives them banners
and trumpets and drums and tells them
to wave and blow and bang. and when
there is nothing else to do to shout at
the top OF their lungs. The horses are
trotted and driven past, and after few
experiences Of the concert they can be
guaranteed to stand pandemonium.
No risks are run. Before the last ju-
bilee procession. soldiers were brought I'm
TO assist the children. There were bands
Of music and side drums. and when the
horses mad graduated with these a band
Of pipers was introduced. IL was assumed
that if the horses could stand bagpipes
they could stand anything. II any pre-
ference is given. it is 20 the white Han
Oyerians. FOR these, being her Majcsty's
fayorites for state occasions, have
heavy responsibility TO bear The origi-
nal stock came from the electOr Of Han
overs stud, I'm the time OF the first
George, and until the queen ascended the
throne most Of the recruits came from
Hanover.
Since 1897 they have been bred az
Hampton Court, and they have become
almost purely English breed. Although
they have Improved in shape since the
HanOycrian DAYS. they are stll triie
clumsy, according TO English notions. But
they are strong and steady they never
give in. they are perfectly docile. and IL
would require an earthquake and hur-
ricane 10 disturb them. 4 stroll through
the royal news is a valued privilege. The
animals are i'm perfect condition, and the
stables are models % convenience and
sanitation. The haTness-rOOm IS sump-
tuous. But the chiefest treasure of the
news IS the state carriage, which, short
Of India, ir, perhaps. the most ornate
vehicle in the world IT cost about eSoO0,
and the Lord Mayors coach is a hackney
carriage beside II.
But it has the limitations Of all things
here below. II is so uncomfortable that
the queen never rode In il without de-
veloping 4 headache. II is never used