Year: 1872

Nothlng can be simpler, writes the cor
respondent of Scottish newspaper, than
the daily routine of life at Balmoral Cas-
tie. and this has always been the rule with
her Majesty when free from the trammels
OF State. The old servants at Balmoral
will tell you-speaking of by-gone days
that in Prince Albert's time Balmoral was
picture of domestic felicity-'a home
full Of laughing BARNS" "And ah - said
one, who had been fayorite nurse. ,sthe
Prince was fond o his BARNS, and they
dotted on their father He used to play
with them in the corrdor-and sic daffin
and glee The Queen, looking out Of her
room, would stand and watch them with
smile on her face; and when the fun
grew boistrOus she would raise her finger
with n gentle hush. but the mither's heart
was wi them The Prince is every
where held in loving remembrance. Her
Majesty's habits have been very simple
About seven she prepares for rising, break
fasts at nine: after breakfast she has her
dispatches to look after. for even in her
mountain retreat the Queens ''mind is
ta'en up wi the things o. the State" Then
follows private correspondence heavy
item in the Queens list of duties. Two
special messengers convey the dispatches
to London, one to relieve the other, rs
they travel day and night. Luncheon is
at O'Clock, and in the afternoon the
Queen usually takes an airing in her car
riage. On the lawn in front of the castle
q picturesqe white tent stands, and her
Majesty passes much of her time in that
snug little corner. During meals the
Queens piper plays in front OF the win
dows. OF pipers there are several. be
lieve. Rosa. the Queens piper, is chief
and it is sight to sec the handsome old
Highlander in full costume marchin.
proudly to time as he plays a pibroch
The pipes are a sight of themselves,
with their rich silver mountngs and gay
streamers, and royal banner floating in
the breeze. The Queen dimes at half-pas
8 Her own table is spread in the library.
Since the Prince Consort's death her Maj
esty has not made personal use of the
the Court dine there. 1t is one of suite
of magnificent apartments, all of which
are carpeted with Stuart tartan, the hang
ings and draperies being Victoria tartan.
The ornaments in the rooms are all Scot
tish in their tendency. The library, which
is the innermost apartment in the suite,
is a cosy, comfortable room, small by
comparison with the others, and it has
look of brightness with its gittering books
and CHEEKY fire, and snow white table
cloth, and twinkling tapers. There is no
ostentatious display, however, in the Roy
al sanctum. The arrangements of the
room are of the simplest character. even
to the dinner table. \ very select party
dimes with her Majesty, not even the
Princess Beatrice. unless on an extra oc-
casion. The Queen spends much of her
time alone in Prince Albert's room. She
comes quietly in to dinner with her knit
ting in her hand. and retires early.


1t is well known that her Majesty is n
woman of method and were it otherwise
she could never get through the amount
Of work she does. She is very fond OF
the open air, and in all weathers she is to
be seen abroad. A rainy day does not
keep her within doors in her waterproof
and umbrilla she defies the elements. 1t
is quite common occurrence to see her
walking in the grounds under driZzling
rain.


The weather in fact, has no influence up
on the royal programme. So far as concern.
her Maiesty's constitutional airings" a
good stout umbrella carries her bravely
| through pelting rain or powdering snow
drifts, whether on foot or seated in hei
open carriage, or trotting on her High





our Queen is hardy woman at least she
has no fine lady fancies' in the matter OF
constitutional delicacy. She does not both
er with supertluous wrappings when she
faces the smell" mountain breeze she
dresses consistently with the climate ana
the weather, and fresh, comely. sensi
blc-looking lady she is in her comfortable
plain Jacket and broad-brimmed straw hat
The Queens walks and drives are not con
fined within her own policies; she cross
es the Dee almost daily, and is quite a.
often seen on the opposite side of the
river. She always uses an open carriage,
but not always the same. Sometimes it l.
4 wagonette, sometimes low pony phae-
ton. No guard of honor accompanies the
royal equipage however. Her trusty at
tendant, John Brown, sits on the box be-
side the coachman, and when there is not
room for him there, he rides on horseback
| by the side of her carriage. No fuss at
tends :he Queen. An outrider a little in
advance of the royal carriage, clears the
road, and the Queen goes on her way,
with smile and a nod for any one who
chances to meet her. But. rs Il rule, her
Majesty is not intruded upon when she
ventures beyond the royal domains, unless
on Sunday, and then it is strangers only
who run after her. The cottagers do not
annoy her, and she comes and goes with
ont molestation. Indeed, they make q
point of keeping out of the way when the
white horse of the outrider appears in
sight. Should the Queen, however. hap
pen to come unexpectedly on her subjects
by Deesidc she is ditferentially acknowl-
edged. The Queen and her ladies fire.
quently picnic in the woods, or on the
hillside should it be handler. Materials to
make fire and cooking utensils are taken
in the carriage, and tea is made on the
green sward and handed round in rustic
fashion without any ceremoney. At these
afternoon .'teas" the Queen has no spec


ial chair of honor Her seat is often on


the clump of a tree with her cup in her


hand. or any other casual resting place


that turns up conveniently. Excursions
are made also to various places Of inter


est, and every corrie and glen within
reach has been visited by the Royal Fam
ilv