The Washington herald., 1912-03-04
GOSSIP OF BRITISH COURT

length OF time without being accompa-
MED by one OF his ministers. when King
George Journeyed all the way out to
India for his coronation. AS a rule,
whenever the King goes abroad. .or(eyen
II he spends some time away from his
capital one member OF the cabinet is
in attendance upon him. The duty Is
supposed to fall upon each minister In
turn. the period varying from week
to a fortnight or even month. In
actual practice. however. no more than
two or three OF his advisers are called
upon to lie in attendance. the length OF
their service depending largely upon
their personal popularity with the SOW
ereign.
The late King Edward frequently dis
pensed with the services of a minister
when abroad : Nor does the old custom
of having member OF the cabinet pres
ent at Windsor, when the court IL in
residence there, prevail any longer. In
these days OF telegraph. telephone, quick
motor. cars. and other methods OF rapid
intercommunication, il is not considered
necessary that a responsible head Of
a department should be Obliged to cave
his official duties for a lengthy period.
We know from Disraelis memoirs how
very exacting Queen Victoria was in this
/ respect, perhaps because she was a
woman and had TO rely more upon her
| advisors than a man. At any rate, she
1 insisted upon a minister being in her
| retinue wherever she went. More than
/ that, being a fine conversationalist her
| self. she made IL a point that her minis
| ters should be equally brilliant. Lord Sal
isbury, who Was far more of a thinker
| than a talker, was often heard to COM
plain about the post-pTandial conversa-
| tiOns at BalmoraL II generally is quite
cold in the highlands Of Scotland in the
| late autumn, but the Queen, a great
lover Of fresh air, would persist in hav-
ing as many windows open as possible,
and Lord Salisbury. who was very sus-
ceptlbls to chills. had to pass many an
uncomfortable hour making talk
Accommodations and bodily comfort in
those days at BalmoraI or at Osborne
| House as well were very limited. At the
frst-named place the minister's suite con-
sisted Of a small bedroom and a sitting
room. lavishIy decorated with tartan,
which by the Queens orders had been
introduced In almost every room in the
palace, but has now been done away
with. There was also a room for the
minister's valet When King Edward
|
things he did was TO modernIze BaImoral,
and no house needed It more.
The duties OF a minister in attendance
are not arduous. except. Of course. at
such times when the political horizon is
clouded. or during one Of the many tribal
wars with which England almost contin-
ually had to wrestle In far-on countries
When things are normal-dull-the minis
ter has little to do but TO enjoy himself.
Nowadays every facility is accorded him
to do so after MS own fashion and desires.
Breakfast is served in his private sitting
room, unless he prefers TO Join the gen.
tIemen or the court.
| Luncheon also is a meal at which II is
In the OPTION OF the minister to appear
! or 20 stay away. When the King is out
shooting OF fshing-sCarcely a day passes
but what he is engaged in one or the
other Of these spOrts-luncheon is taken
in the open. and II the attending min
lister happens to be sportsman he is
naturally invited to Join the royal party.
The ministers presence at dinner, how
ever. Is insisted upon. and he is also
required to be present in the drawing
room after the meal Queen Victoria
went through official documents with her
ministers twice each day. in the morning
and after dinner. King Edward, who
was exceedingly methOdical. yet full OF
bonhOmie. devoted only the first part OF
the morning to official business. Unless
dispatches received during the day were
especially urgent they were never sub
mitted or discussed until the following
morning
II anything. King George is still more
methodiCaL He Is an early riser. and is
generally at work by O'Clock. He ex-
poets all documents to he ready for him.
and business. therefore. is dispatched
speedily. This done, the cares OF state
are dismissed for the day. unless mat
ter of great urgency should transpire.
Evenings at BalmOral are devoted to
general conversation and to amusement
Mr. Lloyd George, who has a great
fund of humor. is persona Crata on such
occasions. Mr.. Ralfour enjoyed great
popularity on these visits, owing TO his
perfect performance upon the piano.
Queen Alexandra is a cultured musician
and herself a pianist of great ability,
wherefore music always was notable
feature after dinner during King Ed
wards reign. Lord Beaconsfield 5 wit. and
especially his biting satire, amused
Queen Victoria-kings and queens are
very human, after all-and Mr.. Glad
stones deep theological knowledge also
appealed TO her-sometimes.
During the daytime the minister in
attendance has, things very much his
own way II he is a sportsman there is
ample opportunity for gratifying his
tastes A royal carriage or motor is at
his disposal and invitations from the gen.
try to the country houses in the vicinity
are showered upon him for all manner
of functions. Golf. archery, tennis croquet,
bowling and other games may be indul-
ged in. and there are charming walks
for those who prefer nature and turn
among the hills and valleys Of the sur
rounding paCk. In inClement weather
there is the smoking room. a billiard
room, a covered badmintOn court. a well
stocked library Crammed with interesting
first editions and autographed volumes
and scores OF curios and mementos of
events in the royal family. All the lead
ing magazines and daily domestic and
foreign papers are to be found there and
cigars and cigarettes are at his elbow.
All official dispatches are opened by
the minister himself, who masters the
contents and makes such notes as may
seem to him necessary before submit
ting them to the King. II the latter ap-
proves of the manner in which it is sug-
gested that they should be dealt with.
replies are dictated to the corps of pri-
vate secretaries. IT the event Of the
King desiring Information on any sub
ject. it Is the duty of the attending min
lister 10 obtain 1t for him
King Edward kept somewhat late hours,
but the motto of the court during the
present reign is early to bed and the
minister who is called upon to be in
attendance upon King George may be
perfectly sure of enjoying one thing.