The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-03-07
DIMES WITH VICTORIA.
ChOate Sits at the Queens
Right Hand and Tells
Funny Stories.

Windsor, March 7.-Ambassador and
Mrs. Choate reached here from London
in special saloon car of the Great
Western railway at $50 o'clock, Mr..
Henry White, the American charge
d'affaires, accompanying them. Lord
Salisbury Travelled in another compart-
ment of the same coach. He should
have reached Windsor before the Amer
lean ambassador, but was late, and came
on the same train, so that they almost
bumped into each other as they a1ight-
ed from the train.
The premier extended his hand and
in quite democratic fashion the two di-
pfomats shook hands on the railroad
platform.
Mr.. Choate presented the marquis to
his wife moment later, much to the
interest of the villagers, who stood at
respectful distance and seemingly en-
jOyed the method of the American am
bassador.
Mrs. Choate was gowned in a dark
green dress, simple, but elegant. Lord
Salisbury greeted her by raising a sadly
ruff1ed hat, and then hurried away in
search of carriages.
Three straw colored closed vehicles
were in waiting from the palace, each
drawn by a pair of high stepping, big
bays, gray horses being the distinguish
ing horses for members of the royal
family. One tall groom had charge of
all three carriages. There was no driver,
or even footman-only a small Tod
Sloan-like position on the off horse OF
each team.
Mr.. and Mrs. Choate entered one car
riage, Mr.. White another and Lord Sal
isbury the third.
They were driven through St. Georges
gate, the entrance to the visitors apart
mentS on the south wing of the castle.
Ambassador Choate assisted his wife
to alight, and the party was ushered
into suite No. 217, in the third tower,
at the extreme west end of the visitors
wing, overlooking the famous long
walk. These apartments are set apart
for distinguished guests and are very
with fine tapestry. The rooms contain
some costly cabinets and porcelains
also.
The presentation ceremonies took
place in the white drawing room short
ly before o'clock. Mr.. ChOate was pre-
scented by Lord Salisbury as the new
ambassador from the United States and
handed his letters of credentials to her
majesty. The queen remained seated
during the whole ceremony, which oc-
cupied only about a minute.
The room in which the presentation
took place is part of the Queens private
apartments and is furnished in crimson
and gold, containing numerous portraits
of the royal family.
Immediately after the presentation the
guests were invited to dinner. They
assembled and Joined her majesty in
/ the oak room, an octagonal apartment
in the the southeast corner of the cas-
tie Immediately above the royal en-
trance to the palace.
Those who were at dinner were:
Queen Victoria, Princess Beatrice, Am
bassador and Mrs. Choate, Henry White,
Lord Salisbury, the earl of Hopetoun,
who is the lord chamberlain the duchess
of Buccleuch the mistress of robes and
Col. w. J. Colville, the master of cere-
monies.
Mr.. Choate occupied the position of
honor at the right of the queen. Mrs.
Henry White was invited, but is sick,
and was unable to go. All the members
of the royal family save the queen and
Princess Beatrice are away. The party
sat down to dinner shortly after 8
O'Clock, and the meal lasted until nearly
midnight.
The conversation was general and
Mr. Choate related many humorous and
instructive stories of America and
Americans and her majesty seemed
deeply interested in them.