The Queen's Invitations.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 86, 24 January 1885, Page 6

The Queen's Invitations.

In connection with the Queen's invitations s to receptions, Lord Malmesbury relates the) following incident :— 11 May, 1865 —All London is talking of 'the way in which the Corps Diplomatique has b en invited to the Queen's recoption. ; It was in these terms : ' That the Queen would graciously receive them, male and female, at a Court to be held at Buckingham Palace. ' All those concerned are trying to shift the responsibility upon one another. The diplomatists have sent their | cards of invitation to their respective ! Courts ; and, therefore, it has produced a ! great sensation all over the world, as the torm male and female is never used in French, except in speaking of animals. We dined with the Hardwickes, and met Lord Clarendon, who told some amusing stories of the Americans at Rome. One lady, who lived in the Via Babuino, near a Jesuit Propaganda College, said, "I live in Baboon-street, opposite ono of the Pope's propagating houses." An American gentleman on bomg asked what ho thought of the Venus de Medici, said, " I never allow mysolf to be sat upon by those stone girls." Here is another one : — "January 21, 1861.— 1 heard to-day a good story of the present Duke of Wellington. Ho and the Duchess were invited to Windsor. She was in London, and went ; but tho Duke having a party at Strathfieldsayo, which he did not like to put off, sent an oxcuso, and when ho was afterwards told of the oflenco'ho had given, he replied, ' Her Majesty has no right to bo angry ; I obeyod tho back of tho card,and tho Duchoss obeyed tho front.' The invitation cards have printed directions on tho back, desiring that tho card should bo roturncd should the ladies and gentlemen invited bo away from London."