An Evening at the King's Court.

Hastings Standard, Volume XI, Issue 5567, 27 July 1907, Page 3 (Supplement)

An Evening at the King's Court.

UOW PRESENTATIONS ARE CON DUCTED.

The average person probably finds it difficult to understand wiiy thero should be such a keen desire on the part ot society people to be presented at Court. To tho uninitiated, the mere honour or pleasure—however you may liko to regard it—of making a curtsy to tho King and Queen in tho ballroom ot Buckingham Falaoe scarcely compensates one for the expense and trouble involved. As a matter of fact, a presentation at Court means a great deal to those who move in upper circles. Without it a woman has 110 recognised social position ; she is never invited to Royal entertainments, and when visiting a foreign country cannot be presented to its Sovereign. In tho old 'days, when a lady had been once presented, she couki continue to attend Courts, uninvited and unchallenged, until the end of her hfe. But time has changed that privilege.

However, it is obvious that there are still great inducements to secure tiie precious card of invitation from the Lord Chamberlain xvhioh entitles one to attend the Court, apart from the fact of thus being able to witness a sight of splendour and magnificence unsurpassed at any other Court of Europe. Everybody who is anybody is to bo KM '\ a *- a Court presentation princes, Lords, and dukes, grey-haired ambassadors, generals, politicians, and diplomatists, down to young attaches, all attired in full uniform or Court dress, tho men's attire, in many cases, being 110 less brilliant and gorgeous than the dazzling confections worn by young debutantes who nervously await their turn for presentation. Those who by right of birth are entitled to attend Court aro members ot tho aristocracy and of the leading county families, the wives and daughters of officers in tho Army and Navy, ot clergymen and barristers, of important financiers, and of men engaged in largo commercial enterprises. But tho 'ino is rigidly drawn at those occupied in retail trade, no matter how refined or well connected tltey may .be. Nowadays several titled women, members of old families, keop shops of their own, ana this fact entirely prevents their appearance at Court. This rule is absolute, and has no exceptions. Tho general company drive into the courtyard of Buckingham Palace under tho portica at tho Stat© entrance. There is also another entrance, known as the Pimlioo door, through which members of the Diplomatic Corps ana what is known as tho Entree company are allowed to pass. By entering with tho general company, however, one obtains a splendid rkvw of some of the beauties of Buckingham Palace. After alighting at the Doric portico, tho debutante enters the large but somewhat low-ceilingod entrance-hall, with its marble floor and staircase, and its double row of pillars in pure white Carrara marble. From the hall access can bo obtained to the so-called Bay Window Room, which is one of the finest on the garden floor of Buckingham Palace. Tho Bow Library is used as a cloak-room, where wraps and cloaks are left and numbered tickets received in exchange. Tho staircase is a model of splendour. Every stop is a solid piece of white mar.blo, and the gold and cream ceiling shows some marvellous decoratioji. Stationed on the staircase and everywhere about are Yeomen of the Guard dressed in red and gold, with neck ruffles, 'buckled shoes, and the flat hate that have become known by their name. Attentive gentlemen ushers pass the guests on in batches of about thirty through the ante-rooms which lead to tho last halting-place, tho Tapestry Corridor. Tho ballroom, where tho Court is held, is a superb saloon, with walls panelled in crimson and a floor ot satinwood and mahogany. At one enri i«s a fine orjran and tho gallery for His Majesty's musicians.

The King and Queen enter the ballroom about ten o'clock. They are proceded by the White Stares and followed by tire most important- officers of the State, who. together -with other members of the Royal Family take lip their position in a semi-circle round their Majesties in order of precedence. Then the business of the evening commences. Trains aro let down and spread npon the floor, cards are passed from hand to Hand, and a great silence prevails, broken to a nervous debutante's car only by fiho sound of her own tread on the polished floor and by the announcement of her name in a tone of official authority. When the two deep eurtisies have been duly made, the lady has to retire from the Royal presence wit!) all the grace at her command. Formerly a debutante* was obliged to undergo the nerve-trying ordeal of kissing tlio Queen's hand, and, if a peeress, of 'being saluted on both cheeks, -while, irf addition, sho was obliged to -walk backwards from the Royal presence. But King Ed-ward has altered all that. Their Majesties remain seated, and a curtsey is all that is required. Between "one and two hours are thus taken up -with the business of presentation, after fwhieh the King and Queen retiro from the ballroom to partake ot supper -with a few favoured guests. Supper is also provided for the general company, with this difference—that while the Royal party sit down to a formal meal, the others refresh themselves at the buffets, for the most part standing up. It may interest readers to learn, by the way, that strict regulations govern the dress of both men and women t"™ o attend at Court. Men <who do not belong to the Services must appear in the regulation velvet tail-coats and steel buttons, knee bret?ches, black silk stockings, buckled shoes, and -white gloves, with cocked hat under the arm and-small sword at the side.,Ladies, too, must dress to order, in evening toilette, -with train from three and a half to four yards long, white gloves and white jOßtrich feathers. I'or mourning 'black trimmings are permissible -witi the black toilette, but a special permt must bo obtained if a lady wishes to attend Court in a high-neck-ed gown and long sleeves. A doctors certificate is generally necessary m order to obtain this permission. TIIE FALL OF THE VICTOR. "I want to have a tooth pulled,'-' announced the small boy with the steelgrey eve " and I "want gas. ' fhe 'dentist shook his head. "You're too yoUng to have gas, my little man. Besides, I'm quite sure you aren't afraid of being hurt. Sit still, and be a man." "It isn't that at all," said the little man: "but I'm afraid I shan't be abie to help giving a bit of a spueal when it comes out. r , Well, that won't matter at all.' said the dentist. "I'm sure I shan't ""'"xo. you won't: but I shall. Lookcut o' that -window." The dentist looked, and sa-w a large group of grinning lads standing under his -window. " Thev're all the kids I've fought and whacked." said his "ana they're, come to hear me holler. Bridegroom: "What's the matter, driver?" Coachman: "Tho horse has just thrown » shoe, sir." Bridegroom: "Great Scott! Do even horses know we are jnst married? '