The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-03-27

dress, with his gorgeous stat; of off,
GERS, standing beside stout, red-faced
little woman, who sits on the edge Of
a great gilt chair. Ey her side are
usually two or three princesses and
maids of honor, and often one or more
of her sons or sons-in-law. The guests
then form a procession in the order of
their rank and pass before her majes-
ty, who offers her hand to them and
murmurs a few plea SAINT words. Loyal
subjects always kiss the seams on the
back of her white glove, but she does
not like to have the Americans do so,
because she knows that this ancient
custom is not in vogue in our country.
Therefore, when she withholds her
hand from an American guest it is an
act of courtesy rather than a slight.
Americans are usually infoiVled in ad-
vance by their attendants of this Pc
culiarity and are prepared for It,
There is no time fer conversation.
Only few words arc exchanged. Her
majesty usually asks Americans about
the health of the president and his
wife and expresses her interest In their
welfare. II there has been notable
incident or event in the Unitd States
she may allude to 1t, for she keeps
wei! informed concerning current
events. Sometimse she invites a guest
to take a seat beside her, which is a
mark of unusual distinction that was
conferred upon Mrs. Grant when she
and the general were visiting Windsor
years ago, and upon Mrs. John Hay
during the Jubilee ceremonies last
spring.
When those in the party have all
passed in review they proceed in the
same order to the dining room and
each stands behind his chair until the
queen enters on the arm CT one Of her
sons, or sons-in-law. or in their alb
sence on the arm of Il laid nf honor.
She Is always dressed in black Or gray.
If in black she wears white gloves. II
in gray, black gloves. She carries an
ebony gold-headed cane. Usually two
East Indian servants in brilliant na-
tive costume follow her and wait upon
her at the table. Before h;r mai -sty
takes her seat one Of the court chap
lains says grace. She navar sits with
her guests, but has snail round
table at the end OF the rom near the
door, and seldom has more than one
companion. who may De one Of her
daughters, or the senior maid Of honor
or lady in waiting. This is duo to her
ma jesty's feeble health. she cannot
sit through a long dinner, and quietly
slips out before the guests have hall
| finished. Nor Goes sne take the food
| that Is served - them. 4 few Plain
| and simple dishes are provided for her
| repast-soup fish, roast beef or mutt
| ton, with a salad ana sweets. she
| drinks no wine. but takes u little
! Scotch whiskey in Apollinaris water
At the main table y long French dinner
| Is served OF ten or twelve courses
There is a waite: for every two per-
sons, and he moves with military pre-
cision. His livery is II scarlet dress
coat with brass buttons trimmed with
gold lace, blue velvet. short trousers
with gold braid along the seams, whit.
silk stockings, AMI patent leather shoes
with gold buckles. The guests are ir
court dress and the gowns OF the ladies
must he cut in n certain way Amer.
must wear black swallow tail coats
| white elk low-cut vests, knee breech,
es, black silk stockings and patent
| IeitHeT pumps.
The table service Is gold plate pur,
chased by George ~, at n cost of sew
eral millions of dollars. 1t Is larg'
enough TO dine l20 psrspns, but mori
than forty are seldoia invited. IT i
said that the gold and silver plate il
Windsor castle is worth at least $40,
OOO, ,00C. Great chests of it are never
used. This belongs to the government
The furnishings at Balmoral and Os
borne houses belong to the queens
private estate. Among the decoration
that invariably appear upon the tabl'
at state dinners are two immens'
fiagons Of gold set with precious stones
that We're captured from the SPANS!
armada at the time of Queen Eliza
beth, and a famous wine cooler tina
was presented to George w., and II
said to have cost $4,000. often occu
pies the center of the table. A pea
cock made of gold and precious stones
Is a favorite of the queen. 1t wa
made in India and presented to her oil
the occasion of her ilftieth anniver
sary. Another of her favorite orna
ments Is a tigers head Of gold witt
immense rubes for eyes and diamonds
for teeth. 1t also came from Indii
and was a jubilee gift.
II her majesty IN feeling we'll tn
guests find her in the drawing room