SERVING OF QUEEN ELIZABETH'S DINNER.

Western Star, Issue 946, 9 May 1885, Page 1 (Supplement)

SERVING OF QUEEN ELIZABETH'S DINNER.

A gentleman entered the room bearing a rod, and along with him another, who had a table cloth, which, after they had both kneeled three times with the utmost veneration, he spread upon the table, and after kneeling again they both retired. Then came two others, one with the rod again, the other with a salt cellar, a plate, and bread; when they had kneeled as the others had done, and placed what was brought npon the table, they too retired with the same ceremonies performed by the first.

At last came an unmarried lady (we were told she was a countess), and along with her a married one, bearing a tast ; rjy iv. He; the former was dressed in white silk, who, when she had prostrated herself three times in the most graceful m?nner, approached the table and rubbed the plates with bread and salt with as much awe as if the Queen had been present. "When they had waited there a little while, the yeomen of the guard entered bareheaded, clothed in scarlet, with a golden rose upon their backs, bringing in at each turn a course of 24 dishes, served in plate, most of it gilt; these dishes were received by a gentleman in the same order they were brought, and placed upon the table, while the lady taster gave to each of the guard a mouthful of each particular dish he had brought, for fear of any poison. " During the time that the guard, which consisted of the tallest and stoutest men that can be found in all England, being carefully selected for this fservice, were bringing dinner, twelve trumpets and two kettle drums made the hall ring for half an hour together; at the end of all this ceremonial, a number of unmarried ladies appeared, who, with peculiar solemnity lifted the meat off the table and conveyed it into the Queen's inner and more private chamber, where, after she had chosen for herself, the rest goes to the ladies of the court. The Queen dines and sups alone with very few attendants, and it is very seldom that anybody, foreigner or native, is admitted at that time, and then only at the intercession of somebodyin power."