The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1901-04-27
BRITISH siNEcvRES
The Queer Lot of People Who Lived
About the Queen.


You may expect that the reformers
In England will attack parliament i'm
mediately upoa its assemblage for the
purpose Of cutting off the sinecures OF
queer lot Of people who have lived
about the queen, writes w. E. Curtis,
In the Chicago Record. There are a
thousand or more attendants at Wind
sor castle. Many of them hold their
positions by hereditary right and have
little or nothing to do. The sovereign
of England has, however, several hon.
orable and remunerative appointments
which King Edward VII. will cling to
as tenaciously as his mother. He has
the privilege of appointing six trum-
peters, who draw pay at the rate OF
$3.50 q year and are given quarters In
the barracks at Windsor with their
families. These appointments are not
hereditary and the late queen used
them to reward soldiers who had dis
tinguished themselves by extraordin-
airy gallantry.
One of the most desirable posts at
Windsor castle Is that Of 'the king =
INNER" who in ancient times decorat-
ed books and manuscripts with initial
letters and who now prepares the
parchment commissions when his ma
jesty is pleased to confer knighthood
or some other honor upon one OF his
subjects. The gentleman who now fills
the post has extraordinary skill with
the pen and brush and his diplomas
and certificates were greatly admired
for their exquisite taste and skillful ex-
ecution. He receives a salary of $2,5OO
a year. The clockmaker at Windsor
castle receives the same compensation
and it is his business to keep all the
timepieces in repair. The historiogra-
pher, who is supposed to keep record
of events, holds hereditary office with
a salary of $4,000 year. The master
of music, Sir Walter Parrett, the ia
nous organist, receives 81 500 and ar
ranges concerts for his majesty's di-
version. The surveyor of pictures is
paid 1900, the librarian (who by the
way is Richard r. Holmes. an eminent
author) receives $500, the examiner of
plays $1,000, the keeper of the swans
is paid $500 and the barge master, who
looks after the boats used by the royal
family at Windsor, has similar COM
pensation.
The kings champion is relic of the
middle ages. On coronation day it is
his business to prance around in
armor mounted on a mail charger with
a long spear and monstrous sword,
and challenge all the world to dispute
with him the title of his sovereign to
the scepter. This challenge holds good
during the period of sovereignty, or
the life of the champion, and may be
accepted by subject or alien.
Queen Victoria and her uncle, Will
liam w., dispensed with this medieval
absurdity at their 'coronations, but the
champions pay and perquisities still
continue, for they are hereditary and
cannot be abolished even by act Of par
lament without some indemnity.
The present champion is Francis Sea-
man Dymoke, who is now venerable
man. and IL any should take the trouble
to accept his challenge he would have
to resign in favor of a more brawny
Briton. He receives salary of $500 a
year and certain allowances Of food
and clothing which he draws from the
lord steward of Winssor castle.
Another ancient supernumerary is
the page of the pipe, VINO also holds a
hereditary Office which dates back to
the time of Charles II. That merry
monarch acquired the tobacco habit
from some of his Virginia colonists and
required page, who was paid salary
of $500 a year, to keep his smoking ap-
paratus in order. In moment of gen.
crosby his majesty made the appoint
ment permanent. Until 1765 the honor
was held by the duke of Grafton, who
got hard up and sold it to a merchant
named Harrison. AS Queen Victoria
did not smoke the Office was sinecure,
but the descendants of Harrison are en-
titled to the privilege of entering the