How the Qween Travels.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 207, 18 June 1887, Page 7

How the Qween Travels.

The Queen's saloons are in the centre of the train, and these commodious carriages, fitted for day and night travelling, her Majesty occupies with Princess Beatrice. There arc two beds in the sleeping compartment, which opens from the day saloon. The beds are simple, in green and gilt furniture and fittings, something like elaborate " cots " in shape, and generally the interior fittings of the train leave nothing to be desired, The floors are carpeted, the ceilings padded, the wiJe windows curtained, the lamps deeply shaded. Elective bells communicate with the attendants or the officials, and by pressing a button at the- end of a long variegated cord or bell-pull the alarm is sounded in the van. A separate electric button is fixed in each side of the sleeping compartment, by which the attendants may bo summoned ; another button when pressed will cause the train to stop as quickly as may be. There are the Westinghouse vacuum and ordinary brakes fitted to the train, which are worked as required by the exigencies of the locomotives of the different companies over whose lines her Majesty travels, some engines being fitted with vacuum, and others with the Westinghouse brakes. The usual furniture, comfortable but simple, and a lavatory, are all included in the Queen's saloons. There are hooks and racks for parcels, wraps, birdcages, and small bundles, of which Her Majesty and tho Princess convey a goodly supply. The late John Brown used to occupy a seat in the Royal day saloon, back to the engine as tha train stood, and facing the door of the Queen's apartments so as to be within call at once. The Royal saloon devoted on this trip to Prince Henry of Battenberg, who was temporarily separated from his wife, is one used by the Prince of Wales, and fitted with smoking cabinet and bedroom, with two beds, a lavatory, and a stove. The Queen's carriages are warmed in the usual way with hot water. Nothing is wanted to render the journey as littlo irksome and as little fatiguing as possible. The carriages exteriorly are bright and clean, and newly polished. The wheels are "solid," blocks of wood taking the place of spokes, tho springs aro massive, the tires glide smoothly over the rails, the gas is a patented article, the carriage steps lei/ down as in road carriages, and the wide plate-glass windows permit an extensive view of the country through which the train is passing.

" George Washington Napoleon Jackson Hannibal Harrison." "Yes, ma'am." "Tell Josephine Rosina Cleopatra Matilda Victoria to bring up the slop-pail." " Yes, ma'am."