Evening star., 1924-01-31
LabOrites Must Learn
Difficult Backward Walk

BY THE MARC USE DE FONTENOf.
Since Premier James Ramsay Mac
donald is reported by cable from
London to have received the approv-
al of the king to the appointment of
Tom Griffiths, member OF parliament
for Pontypool, to the post of treasurer
of the royal household and of James
A. Parkinson. member for Wigah, to
the controllership OF the royal
household-that is to say, to court
dignities that are invariably held by
members Of parliament of the party
in power, and TO serve as sort of
connecting link and liaison officers be-
tween the court and parliament,
these two laborites, both of them
former workingmen and excellent
types of their class. will be obliged
to acquire with all possible speed the
difficult art of walking backward.
For, in addition to their legislative
duties al Westminster. they will be
obliged to take part in every court
pageant and royal entertainment.
along with the other dignitaries of
the kings household, arrayed in a
lavishly gold embroidered uniform
knee breeches, white silk stockings
and pumps with gold buckles and
carry in their hand long white
wand or staff of Office. Thus ac-
coutred they will in all royal pro-
cessions at court batls. court recep-
tions. at the opening of parliament,
etc. and even at great court pageants
in public, such as. for instance. the
institution, be called upon to immedi-
ately precede the king and queen.
walking backward. They will form
part of that little cohort of so-called
white staves" comprising the lord
chamberlain of the household and
horse, who has until now been the
marQuise of bath and the vice cham
berlain. all equally arrayed. who will
conduct the royal cortege crab fash
ion.
This walking backward constitutes
a token of great respect. 1t is an act
Of homage that men of the old regime
in Europe still accord to every great
lady of their acquaintance, when they
back out of her presence on the con-
clusion of a call. and is based on the
doctrine that 1t is discourteous to
ever turn the back to any one who. is
entitled to Difference. The turning Of
the back upon person is to such an
extent a demonstration Of disregard
and contempt that it has even come
to be used as a figure of speech for
the expression of aversion. and hence
it is not unnaturally forbidden by the
etiquette of most of the courts of
Europe. The court method of walk
ing backward" takes the form of
walking three steps backward. fol-
l.. 4 1ox ~ oA1
ing sovoreigns, then a half turn and
three siding steps, then another half
turn followed by three steps back
ward with another bow. and SO on.
This walking backward has to be
also up and down stairs. which is still
more arduous and requires an enor-
nous amount of practice.
I, Those not accustomed thereto
sometimes comes to grief. as did the
one of those rare occasions on which
the late Queen Victoria opened par
lament in state, was in attendance
on her majesty and carried the crown
Of the realm on velvet cushion. At
which he had occupied a place on the
dais of the throne in the house Of
lords, he proceeded to move back
ward, leading the way for the queen.
He forgot. however. the three steps
edge he fell backward, all huddled
up in his long. heavy. ermine- barred
peers robe. from the folds of which
he was extricated with difficulty.
while the crown of the realm all
studded with Jewels rolled onto the
floor. The queen, whose face showed
more concern than amusement, al
though the gravity Of those around
her was screly taxed BY the spectacle
presented by the Cock OF the North"
as the duke was called in conse-
quence of his somewhat strutting
gait. addressed a few kinds words to
him expressing the hope that he was
not hurt, and then swept out with
her cortege. .
X X X
This royal law Of etiquette of back
ing out of the sovereign's presence Is
by no means restricted to the dig
nitaries of the court, but is incum-
bent upon all those who are received
by the anointed of the Lord, espe-
kelallx- by military. and naval ,o63cers4