BARBAROUS COURT ETIQUETTE.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 225, 16 June 1908, Page 9

BARBAROUS COURT ETIQUETTE.

9 . Putting larger issues asido (writes Mr. H. W. Lucy, in his letter to tho "Sydney Morning Herald"), C.-B. will not havo lived or died iu vain if his untimely death brings about reform ill tho bhrbarous methods pertaining to court otiqnetto. His breakdown dates i'ram November last, when tho German Emperor was paying a visit to this country. With all the cares of State on his shoulders, tlio Premier felt himself compelled to attend upon all tlii* State functions arranged in honour of tho visit. He was present at tlio reception at Windsor, and on returning to his room said to tlio secretary, "I havo boon

standing for two hours, and I must havo rest." Tho custom that compels porsonages invited to bo present at such receptions to remain standing throughout' their course, however prolonged it may be, is, in tho caso of persons advanced in years, sheer cruelty. I havo personal knowledge of tho caso of tlio wife of a Cabinet Minister who shared C.-B.'s torture of standing for two hours during tho function at Windsor, and was thereafter stricken by a gravo illness, from which slio is even at this dato slowly recovering. . Readers of tlio Diary of Madame D'Arh'ay will rceall constant pain long suffered by her when, as Faiuiy Buniey, she was in attendanco cn Gcorgo Ill's consort. . For .hours at a time this frail woman of genius remained standing whilst podgy brainless majesty sat at caso. Mr. Frith tells » story about some Gorman kinglet sitting to him for his portrait. Ho was always accompanied by an equerry, who remained standing through the hour or more tlio painter was at work. Moved to compassion, Frith one day dragged up a chair and begged him to bo seated. ,: He will stand," said lioyalty. and tho poor equerry stood accordingly. These things aro all very well in Germany; but they are among tho things whoso import to this country tlio staunehost Freo Trader would gladly see prohibited. ■