Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1908-03-07
RULES OF THE KING.
Formalities When Edward VII. At
tends a Public Dinner.

When his majesty is to preside at
public dinner variety OF formalitles
have to be rigidly observed. In the
first place, the invitation, including q
list of the committee, the toast llst ana
the speakers, must be received at
buckingham palace at least month
or six weeks ahead of the date pro-
posed for the function. 1t Is then SUD
mitted to the king by his private secre-
tary. and If the date does not ciash
with arrangements made previously all
other details being in order, the invita-
ton Is graclously accepted.
A statement must also be sent an
nouncing the hour at which the rune
ton is to begin and when 1t Is expected
TO end. These two points are most es-
sentlal as royalty and punctuallty are
synonymous terms. Moreover, the KING
does not care to spend more than GER
tain number Of hours at any puDlc
dinner: therefore speeches and other
matters have to be arranged accord
lngly.
After these necessary preliminaries
have been satisfactorily arranged the
dav on which the banquet Is to take
Mace Is awaited An hour or so be-
fore the commencement Of the dinner
nm official arrives at the banquetlnS
hall IT Is his duty to examine the
plan of the tables and to see that the
chair of the king Is suitably placed so
ns 70 be free from drafts, noises ana
other disturbing influences. This DILL
cial IS exceedingly fastidious, ana MS
word is law. On not few occasions
he has thrown every one into state
of CONSERVATION by demanding a
rhange in the arrangements Of dinner
nj the eleventh hour. The require
ments of his majesty In these and oth-
pr 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 VINE
which the illustrious guest Is TO drink
arrives in charge Of a royal servant.
Members of the royal family always
send their own wine to public dinners
md in many cases their own speclai
brands of cigars also The wine Is IN
the charge of a responsible servant IN
fine employ of the royal household
whose duty it is to stand behind the
chair of his master and wait ipon hlin
Special attention has to be paid lo
the MENU care being taken that lhe
card contains an assortment of dishes
for which the more important mem
hers of the royal family have a predi
lection. The menu is usually short anc
rarely exceeds four or five courses
. Private servants always attend eXclu
sivelv to the requirements of the roya
guests.
= Like most of his subjects. his maJes
5 ~ has dining whims. He Will on IL
l account. for instance, allow two knives
[ 70 lie on the table before him together
S If Is believed that the king puts som'
e faith In the well known superstition
4 that i'll comes from the crossing o
Il knives. Let this I've as it may. at al
e dinners held at Buckingham palace
|, clean knife is placed beside each CUES
d with every course, and this rule mus
l. he rigidly observed at all public as we
l. as private dinners attended by hi
majesty. And his servants take specia
pains TO see that it Is so.
Dinner must be served as soon as hl
majesty is seated. None save men
y bers of the royal family Is expected I
converse with the king until addresse
= by him. and a stranger must on no az
. count attempt conversation without
u formal introduction. The royal visitc
is exceedingly particular on this polr
u and Is most precise in indicating thos
> to whom he wishes to be introduced.
i No one is permitted to leave the u
4 BILE at a public dinner until all u
e members of the royal family have mr.
i risen and retired. The king rarel
d smokes at public functions. but SIP
u cial room is usually set aside for h
maiesty's accommodation should |
II wish to do so.-London Tit-Bits.