The Savannah morning news., 1901-10-20


from Dalarne add to the picturesque
ness of the scene, but, however humble
and uncouth their attire may be, their
native dignity is always apparent.
Two balls are given at the palace an
nually, on the 21st of January, the
birthday of the King, and upon the
national holiday Invitations are issued
in the name of the grand marshal of
the court and read "By the King S
most gracious command" etc. The
cards state that ladies who intend to
dance are expected to wear white
gowns without trains, and ladies who
do not expect to dance black gowns
with trains. No formal acceptance or
regrets are expected, but those who
cannot attend must return the invita-
ton cards to the marshal ten days be-
fore the date. The guests are invited
from $50 to II o'clock, and everything
is over and the lights are out at /.
Supper is served at IL. Tickets attached
to the invitation cards are shown at
the entrances, and direct the bearer
to the robing and reception room to
which he is assigned. The guests are
thus distributed in different parts of
the palace, so that there is no rush,
crush or confusion. There is a printed
list of all who are invited, arranged
in the order Of precedence, and copies
are furnished to the attendants, so
that II stranger happens to forget
his card he need only mention his name
to be directed to his proper place
The social status of every person hav-
ing the entire at court is fixed, and a
book is published containing their
names and order of precedence for pri-
vate as we'll as public use. Strangers
can obtain invitations to functions at
the palace if they are or have been in
distinguished official position, IL they
belong to the army, navy, diplomatic
service of their country, or have per-
sonal friends of influence in the court
Their names are placed at the bottom
of the list with the names of the per-
sons who vouch for their rank and sta
ton at home. No European can receive
an invitation unless he has been pre-
sented at the court of his own SOW
ereign.
The grand chamberlain receives in
behalf of the king, and at $50 every
guest is expected to be present. No
person is admitted to the palace after
that hour, for precisely at the half hour
the royal family enter, preceded by the
king in naval or military uniform,
with the queen by his side. Their maj
esties are followed by their sons and
daughters. Ushers precede the royal
party and open a passage through the
guests for them, beginning with the
reception room Of the lowest rank. As
the king and queen pass slowly along
they often bow and some times stop to
shake hands With favorite friends or
some distinguished persons who have
returned from an absence, or some
stranger whom they delight to honor.
The rest of the family do the same,
and their progress is so slow that IL
usually takes about half an hour for
them to make the tour of the rooms.
Upon reaching the great ballroom,
or white Sea-" as IL is called--a splen-
did apartment 1876 by ia feet in size
where the highest dignitaries of the
court and the Diplomatic Corps are
assembled, the dancing begins. The first
dance is always led by the king and
queen, the remainder Of the set being
made up of distinguished guests, in
Guiding the dean of the Diplomatic
Corps. the Premier Of the Cabinet, the
Norwegian Minister of State, any re.
representatives. of other royal families
who happen to be present, or some dis
tinguished military or naval officer.
These persons are notified in advance
by the master of ceremonies.
After the first dance the king and
queen always retire from the floor and
mingle freely with their guests. The
queen usually retires early because OF
her delicate health, but the rest OF the
family remain till the end, and his maj
esty always escorts the wife of the
dean Of the diplomatic corps or some
other lady Of distinction TO the supper
table, where, as soon as the wine Is
served, the ranking prince or official
present is expected to propose his
health. The latter responds with a little
speech Of thanks and welcome, and
then the Formally IL over. The guests
are expected 10 enjoy themselves as
they would AZ any ordinary function
until midnight, when the grand mar
shall takes his place az the exit. This
Is the signal for departure, ana within
an hour the bathrooms and banquet
halls are deserted,