The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-10-07
LADIES IN WAITING.
Attending Upon Royalty is Not With
 out Its Drawbacks.

There are two qualifications without which no woman need hope to become lady in waiting, writes one who has her- self attended upon royalty. The flrst IS the power to make herself agreeable at all times, both to her employer and to the royal household.
 The second qualification the possession of strong legs. may appear an easy mat ter at first sight, but, according to this confession in the Ladies' Realm, when carried into practice 1t Is very trying. The woman who has been accustomed to seat herself whenever she feels tired or standing Is apt to become nervous and strained when she knows that she may not, except under the plea of Illness, seat herself for at least couple or hours to come When royalty braces her muscles subjects must not dream of re- laxing theirs.
 Some women can stand; there are oth- CTS who cannot. Among the former Is Queen Alexandra. At the giving away Of war medals two years ago she was ob- served and timed by an onlooker.
 Without showing the faintest signs Of fatigue she stood, with practically no change of position, for two hours and twenty-five minutes. Though Her Maj esty now sits during portion of the time court is being held, the ladies in waiting remain standing, and this function lasts at least two hours.
 The writer once asked a lady of the bed chamber who was never robust now she had managed the standing during the late Queens drawing rooms. Queen Victoria In her latter years always used small chair. which supported her, yet was practically invisible to those who na ssed before her The lady of the bed chambers reply was
 "O1d and roomy slippers. I always kept an old pair two sizes too large, which did duty year after year. ana were useless for anything else.
 While on duty the lady in waiting has to be always with her mistress, unless the latter desires to be alone, which Is very rare Royalties are apt to feel dull when left to the monotony of their own thoughts and get accustomed to constant companionship.
 She must not leave the precincts of the palace, as at any moment she may be summoned. Yet that summons may not come for many hours-nay many days, If the court happens to be sojourning in the country.
 There Is no possibility of mapping out her day and settling to her own oceupa- tions. and no matter what the news may be from home, no matter how alarming or saddening, she must never appear ruffled or unhappy In the royal pres ence It Is treason to disturb the equani- mity of queen or princess.
 There are a variety of duties which fall to the lot of the lady in waiting. There are many letters to be answered. some
 times of a begging character, or some times accepting or rejecting appeals to open hospital wards, lay foundation stones to open bazaars and charity fetes. Sometimes the royal lady desires to of fer a visit to one of her subjects, or to accept their invitation to honor them with her presence; in such cases the lady in waiting has to write to the intended hostess. stating any little desires for her comfort and happiness which Her Royal Highness Is known to possess, the names of certain friends whom she desires to | meet. which are added to the list of euests submitted for the royal approval. Queen Victoria often disliked fires in | her bedroom and in warm weather had | blocks of Ice placed In her apartments. | All such little personal fancies must be | stated by the lady in waiting to the hos | tess that life may for the time being, he made as agreeable as possible to so | honored a guest
 l Sometimes the lady in waiting has to do | some shopping of too delicate nature to | be intrusted to one of lesser standing; sometimes there are private charities to | be inquired into.
 | Then there is frequently the dressing
 of the stall which Her Highness has sig | nified her Intention to sell at, and the re-
 maining on after the royal patroness has | left. to see that all the goods are dis l posed of and the profits safely trans ferred to the proper quarter She must
 also finish any articles of needlework
 which her mistress has begun and tired of. She must be able to play, if not sing,
 and be competent to touch up any paint
 ing or drawing, possibly helf execute | hotb abandoned by her employer.
 Many royal ladies are inveterate and
 unwearying sightseers. Some are con
 firmed burners of the midnight oil. They | keen their attendants with them till the
 early hours of the morning. either play
 ing cards. listening to music, or plying the | hibited.
 Dress forms an important part in the life of the lady in waiting. She must be provided against all emergencies. Mourning she must always have ready to don at any moment She requires couple of court trains. which can be worn over different dresses. Some ladies in waiting. like their private sisters, bor-