Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1910-08-25
NEW NEWS OF YESTERDAY
The Yankee Who Danced
With Queen Victoria
BY "HclIand."
BY "HcIIand."

1t was. in the autumn of 1879, at
reception given in Philadelphia to
Samuel ] Randall. then Speaker Of
the National House of Representa-
tives, that | first met Richard Vaux,
who for many years before his death.
which occurred i'm 1895, when he was
in his eightieth year, was regarded
as one of the Quaker City's most dis
| tinguished citizens and one OF the
worlds best known penoloeists As
he appeared at that reception. Mr..
Vaux was a typical dandy in dress,
! despite the fact that he then had
sixty-three years to his credit. His
clothes had the artistic touch that
only the most fashionable and ex-
pert of tailors can give. His feet
were Immediately shOd. 1t took only
glance to tell that he was proud
of his profusion of curly hair Yet
In the presence Of his genial smile,
the humorous twinkle in his eye, and
his sincere and charming manner
one thought of only the true gentle
man behind the mask of faultless-
almost foppish--dress.
Speaker Randall introduced me to
Mr.. Vaux, and In doing so remarked
that the latter had once been promi-
nent in the diplomatic service of the
country.
mot exactly prominent" amended
Mr. VauX, when Mr. Randall had de-
parted Il was only secretary Of the
legations at London and Brussels. and
in great many respects l have al
ways regarded secretary of legation
as nothing more than a high grade
clerk. But" and Mr.. Vaux smiled
fascinatingly-" there was one exper-
fence I had as secretary of legation
of which ! have always been proud
and ] am sure / have every reason
to be proud of it. 1 will tell you
about it.
when I was secretary of the Amer
lean legation at the court of ST. James,
Queen Victoria was having the most
brilliant court and social experience
Of her reign for the prince consori
was then living and she had not giver
up her love of gayety to go in life
long mourning I'm memory of him. Al
that time the Queen was noted for be
ing especially fond of dancing. and
before / had been in London long
was told on all sides by her admirine
subjects that she was especially
graceful in the square or country
dances, something rather difficult fol
woman so short and stout
well. there was TO be a great court
ball, an especially brilliant function
It was generally known that the
Queen intended to take part in some
of the dances. and so, when / was
commanded, as they have it over
there. to attend this court ball, l was
very happy Today, even, ] can hold
my own in the Virginia reel or in
the lancers. but in those days it was
\ said of men that ] was an excep-
tionally graceful dancer Whether
that was true or not, l don't know, but
I do know that my pleasure in dane.
ing made me most impatient for the
night OF the great court ball to ar.
rive.
How carefully I dressed for tho
event,-and in those days. sir, | prid
ed myself on dressing with scrupu
lous neatness and care, and 1t wai
said of me that was the best dressed
attache in London. How eagerly
watched the Queen dance. to discover
for myself that her reputation as al
exceedingly graceful dancer was moi
a whit exaggerated And then, sud
denly, I'm an intermission' how sur
prised and supremely happy | was
made when I was informed that the
Queen herself had commanded me
to dance with her in the next square
dance And as / went forward t
meet her | was told that the Queer
had beheld and liked my dancing, anC
so had sent for me.
"She received me with a cordial
but very dignified bow. and permitted
me to lead her out upon the floor. Az
went through the first half Of thu
dance with her | was in a maze o
terpsichorean delight believe
never danced better in my life. ant
I doubt If I ever had a more grace
full or responsive partner. All, al
too soon the delightful experience
was over. For. as was her custom
the Queen changed partners the latte
half of the dance but as she parte'
from me she smiled graciously ant
gave me a few words of commenda
ton that have never forgotten. 'Yol
dance very well, Mr.. Vaux,' she said.
Mr. VauX's countenance was lighte
with a glow OF happy "reminiscences
'"That experience and those words o
praise are among the most gratifying
incidents of my career" he continued
and I think I am safe in saying tina
am the only living American VIII
has ever had the high privilege o
dancing with Queen Victoria" Their
after a moments pause, he added II
fact, never heard of any othe
American. living or dead, who eve
did dance with her"
mot even James Buchanan whe
he was our minister to Great Bri
tain?" | asked.
mo. Mr.. Buchanan never danced
He couldn't" Mr.. Vaux replied wit
mock solemnity.
Copyrighted. 1910. by F. j. Edwards
All Rights Reserved)
Tomorrow Mr.. Edwards viii tell O
"The Negro Who Painted a Prize"