Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1908-03-14
RULES OF THE KING.
Formalities When Edward VII. At
tends a Public Dinner.

tends Public Dinner.
When his majesty is to preside AT a
public dinner variety OF formalities
have TO be rlgldly observed In the
first place. the invitation. including u
list Of the committee. the toast list and
the speakers. must be received at
buckingham palace at least month
or six weeks ahead of the date pro
posed for the function. II Is then sub
United TO the king by his private secre.
tary. aud II the date does not clash
with arrangements made previously. all
other details being In order, the invita-
ton Is graciously accepted.
A statement must also be- sent an
nounclng the hour at which the func-
ton Is to begin and when II Is expected
to end These two points are most eS-
sential. as royalty and punctuality are
synonymous terms. Moreover the king
does not care to spend more than Ger
tain number OF hours at any public
dinner: therefore speeches and other
matters have to be arranged accord
iRsly.
After these necessary preliminaries
have been satisfactorily arranged the
day on which the banquet Is To take
place Is awaited. An hour or so be-
fore the commencement OF the dinner
nm official arrives at the hanquetlng
hall II is his duty TO examine the
plan OF the tables and TO see that the
chair Of the king IS suitably placed so
as TO lie free from drafts. noises and
other disturbing influences. This oiii
cial is exceedingly fastidIous. and his
word Il law On not n few occasions
he has thrown every one into state
OF CONSERVATION by demanding a
change in the arrangements Of n dinner
at the eleventh hour. The require
ments of his majesty In these and 9th
or matters. however are now So well
known that mistakes are OF rare oc-
currence.
As soon as the seating arrangements
have been passed" the special Wine
which the illustrious guest Is 10 drink
arrives In charge OF royal servant
Members OF the royal family always
send their own wine 10 public dinners
and IN many cases their own special
brands OF cigars also. The wine Is in
the charge of responsible servant in
the employ OF the royal household.
whose duty II Is to stand behind the
chair Of his master and wait upon him.
Special attention has 10 he paid to
the menu. care being taken that the
card contains an assortment of dishes
for which the more important mem
bers OF the royal family have u predi
lection The menu is usually short and
rarely exceeds four or five courses
Private servants always attend exclu-
sivcly 10 the requirements Of the royal
guests.
Like most of his subjects. his maies
" has dining whims. He will on no
account. for instance. allow two knives
to lie on the table before him together
II Is believed that the king puts some
faith IN the we'll known superstition
that III comes from the crossing of
knives. Let this he rs II may. at all
dinners held ut Buckingham palace u
clean knife is placed beside each guest
with every course. and this rule must
he rlgldly observed Mt all public as well
as private dinners attended by his
majesty. And his servants take special
pains 10 see that IL Is so.
Dinner must be served a. soon rs his
majesty Is seated None save meHe
bers of the royal family Is expected tc
converse with the king until addressed
by him. and stranger must on no ac-
count attempt conversation without a
formal Introduction. The royal visitor
is exceedingly particular on this point
and is most precise In indicating those
TO whom he wishes TO be introduced.
No one is permitted TO leave the Ia
BILE nj II public dinner until all the
members of the royal family have first
risen and retired. The king rarely
smokes nj public functions. but a spe
cial room is usually set aside for his
maiesty's accommodation should he
wish to do so.-London Tit Bits