THE QUEEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11058, 9 May 1899, Page 5

THE QUEEN.

By Telegraph.— Association.—Copyright. London, May 7.. The Queen has returned to Windsor after her visit to the South of France.

The Queon's visit to tho Riviera is, of course, one of the many reasons which have helped to mako the success of the season; but no one could lead a life so much in contrast with the vicious whirl and fever of the goneral visitor to the Riviera than Her Majesty. Tho Queen goes for rest, silence, and fresh air. It is her love of fresh air which lias been her great passion in life, and which is largely accountable for her immenso vigour in old age; and the perfectly lucid -skies and the transparent air of tho Riviera enable her to indulge this passion at a moment when the uncertain climate of England would render it difficult for her to do so. No life could bo one of"quieter routino than that of Her Majesty at Cimiez. Her morning is usually spent in a quiet t-mr through tho gardens of the Villa T/iserb, and this she does behind "Jocko Junior," a donkey which she purchased hero on a previous visit, and for which sho has now the same affection sho always feels for the animals sho has about her for any time. In the afternoons she goes out in her carriage, and has also some one of the many long and delightful drives which aro to be found in the vicinity of Nice. On Sundays there is an early service in tho private chapel of the Hotel Rcgina, and Dr. Boyd Carpenter, one of the favourite preachers of the Queen, and Bishop of Ripon, lias been acting as chaplain for tho time being to Her Majesty. The sense of being home once again is brought home to tho Queen by many circumstances. First, thoro is the undoubted goodwill of the people, who recognise all that tho presence of Her Majesty docs for the prosperity of the city of Nice; and then there are tho quaint customs which tho work-people have in Nice, as in all other parts of Franco, all of which aro very gratifying to the Queen as testimony of good feeling. For instance, tho ladies of the fish market in Nice are on quite as familiar terms with great personages fs their sisters of Paris; and whenever the Queen appears they always tend a deputation to Cimiez, selecting the best-looking and most substantial of their number, who bear floral tributes to the Queen. These ladies, with all their substantial charms set out by bright red shawls and artistically coiffeured hair. presented their beautiful bouquets to the Duchess of York, who received them on behalf of Her Majesty, and then there was a pleasant little return to tho ladies in the shapo of a gift of 200 francs, which delighted them hugely. As she was going to her carriage, the Queen caught sight of her friends, and gave them a gracious salute. Another littlo episode of the place is worth mentioning. The Queen has always shown a truly admirable sense of humane quality in her treatment of the poor and of her own domestics. It is characteristic of her that one tf her favourite friends is an old peasant lady wlo Bolls flowers. Whenever the Queen passes her she always receives a tiny bouquet, vhich the faithful old friend keeps for her great benefactor;, and there is a short exchange of courtesies, of which the people around try to hear the echoes. It is little incidents like theso which help to make the popularity of tho Queen in these regions.