The Vinita weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1905, 1903-12-10
WAIT UPON The QUEEN.
nnsiish women who Are Iionored
by Waiting Ipon lSink Ed
,xhrdia spnMae.

nj tHo Ahulea IN NollluB IN the
household Of Queen Alexandra. Of
Great Britain, ere women OF the high
est rank. and are besides accomplished
In all the polite arts and many Of them
eminent In the learned circles OF the
realm.
There is, perhaps. no greater lady In
all the peerage than the duchess OF Bhc-
cleuch. who Is proud to be mistress OF the
robes OF her majesty. The daughter.
sister wife and aunt of dukes, she has
every qualification for her Office which
exalted rank can give her. and when we
add TO this that she Is tall, stately and
handsome, queen Of society and wom-
an OF rare charm and many gifts, and
that she was an intimate friend OF our
late queen, as she is OF Queen Alexandra,
II Is clear that she has exceptional quail
iications for her high Office,
The mistress OF the robes Is chief OF
all the queens aids and a brilliant and
Imposing figure at the state eceremonlals.
IN addition to the manifold duties OF
her position. she enjoys the doubtful
privilege Of the opening Of parliament,
ard Of being attired In black when IN at
tendance at court
Next In Importance to the mistress Of
the robes come the four ladies Of the
bed chamber who are rarely ofless rank
than that Of countess Unlike the mis-
tress Of the robes. whose appointment
Is political. these ladies are appointed
by the queen. and are usually either per-
Bonal and dear friends or the wives and
daughters OF distinguished men who
have established a claim to royal graft
tude.
The Countess Of Antrim. for instance,
was the daughter Of the late Gerald
Grey, an old-and dear friend Of Queen
Vlctoris, and Lady cosford is daughter
Of the Duchess Of Manchester. one Of
the most intimate friends of the royal
family All four ladies OF the bed cham
her are womea Of great social gifts ard
charm, and are rather the queens friends
than her servants.
The duties are both light and pleas
ant involving residence at court rarely
exceeding six weeks. which Is made as
agreeable 10 them as possible. whether
amid the ceremonial OF Windsor and
Buckingham palace or In the peaceful
environment OF Balmoral All their ex-
penses. except those OF dress, are borne
by the queen. and as the ladies are usual
ly chosen from those who are not too lib
orally provided for the salary Is a very
comfortable addition to their private
means
The two extra ladies OF the bed cham
Der are usually peeresses whose days OF
active service are practically over. and
whose reward lE a sinecure Office with
an acceptable salary attached. The two
extra ladies Of Queen Alexandra are
much older than her majesty. and we're
among her earliest friends and attend
ants when she first came 70 us "a ra-
flant bride from beyond the seas"
OF the four bed chamber women the
most notahle L Charlotte Knollys. the
daughter Of Lori Knollys. who for many
years has beer sn intimate end hlehly
trusted companion OF the queen. Ur-
Ike the other ladies Miss Knollys Il Ia
constant atier lance on her majesty.
acts ss her an.an1ensis and is indla-
pensable In hundred ways.
Of the made Of honor there are four.
All beautiful ard gifted and IN evefg way
Two OF them are the lovely
twin dahehters Of the late Lord Vivian,
to whom the Queen Is greatly attached
They are always, when possible. N AZ
tendance together and By the queens
Wish dress exactly allie. A very afttd
Fpu9g lady IS Mary Dyke. daughter Of |
sir William Hart Dyke. whose musical |
ssiil and sunny sayeiy are highly valued |
'y the queen ard Sylvia Edwardes. who
fas fstorite of Queen Victoria. is al
most equally clever ard charming.
To the maids II honor falls the afree.
b1S duty Of aetiiis ri turn as the queens |
they read. sing and PLAY
her and generally entertain her. They
requently accompany her "a drives and
alks. share her hobbies from fancy
'nrk to photography. and IN short. full
! their mission in life By being pretty.
miabie. helpful and amusing. The lsf
the maids OF honor is indeed an en-
able one. for when they marry they
'eeiYe the welcome dover OF Il .oOo.
ey are entitled to the description Of
honorable" for the rest Of their iives.
ID are practically assured Of a suite
rooms at Hampton court and n pFolz
'le plare in the royal household for
eir husbands
Indeed. apart from the great honor.
Ie profit and pleasure Of being one Of
2 queens ladies' they are always
sured Of tho royal favor and every
inr that It means in the way Of un-
Hing kindness and consideration.
AtumtHam IN Pfants.
Hitherto aluminium has not been found
phanerogamic plants. or at most only