THE ETIQUETTE OF COURT DRAWINGROOMS.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2006, 9 June 1875, Page 2

THE ETIQUETTE OF COURT DRAWINGROOMS.

(PJIOM THE ' QUEEN}.

! Now that the season is commencing, it is probable that the dfawingrooms for the season will toon be announced, and those who have never yet attended one, but who propose doing so this year, may be glad of a few hints on the etiquette of the occasion. -ufc i« whispered, whetbor on good authority or not we cannot say, that, in consequence of the crowded slate of. the drawingroonT held'after' Easter last season, more receptions are to be held this year. Usually there are but threejdrawingrooms —two before Easter and'one after. — It is curious that people who really ought to know better will continue to talk of the Birthday' drawingroom, the facfc f "being thai no such reception has been held since the lamented death of the Prince Consort. At the Birthday drawingroom no presentations could, take place, and no one could appear in mourning ;~those who attended it were supposed to be desirous of congratulating the Soverign on the auspicious 'occasion., "All the drawihgrooms now'held, are presentation drawingroqms,' and it is with the etiquette of-these that we are principally concerned. The lady wishing to be presented must jirst find a lady willing to'present lier, and also .to attend the drawingroom at which she wishes to be presented; for, although it is by no means necessary that the two ladies should pass at" the same time, or'even that they should meet, it is absolutely de riffueurjhfit/a; lady who' presents another should attend the,drawingroom. This preliminary, being arranged, the presenter gires, her ? friend a note addressed to the Lord-Chamberlain', stating her; intention of attending a certain drawingroom and of presenting Mr* Jones. .This note-Mi3 Jones leaves at the Lord Chamberlain's office at least two clear days before the drawingroom, accompanied by V large card, on whicluis legibly written " Mrs Jones, presented i by Lady Brown," or " Mrs Jones, presented on. her marriage by. "Lady Brpwn." — \.Fjcom the Lord Chamberlain's office she receives oa application two pink presentation cards, on which; ".presentation"; i« printed in large letters. These she .takes to the palace 1 with her,; giving 'one to the page-in-waiting at the corridor at tKe • top of the grand staircase;-, and reservring the otherr to bo given; up at the door of the presence chamber, where it is handed from one official to another till it reaches the Lord - = Chamberlain, who announces the name to the Queen. Care should be "taken by the lady to write Her own name,.and also that of the lady presenting heir,-very legibly, so that there maybe no danger.of mistakes. In the case of the presentation of a bride, it is usual for her to be presented by her Husband's mother, sister, or some other member of his family, if possible and convenient; but this is a matter of taste, not of necessity. Presentation-dresses for brides and for young girls should he entirely white, no. far tier colour being allowable than blush roses, or apple blossom;" but" this rule is not arbitrary for more elderly ladies —indeed, it would look - rather absurd in the case of a mother wfid is herself presented, and then presents " her daughters' on the same occasion^. 3ne word here as to the feathers, which form ah essential"" portion" of the - Court dress. A fashion has been gaining ground of late years of having these plumes to match the colour of the toilette, and they are certainly very pretty and far more becoming than the • orthpdpx.white feathers, which, are some; what trying to any but the most delicate complexions. Still, we arc able to say on excellent authority that these coloured plumes are regarded with much disfavour m the very highest quarters, where they are. considered as a departure from'-the strictetiquette of Court costume which imperatively demands white feathers. Also, from some remarks which we have lately heard, people do not seem to be aware that bodices cut either square or en cceur are not considered full dress, and that ladies presenting themselves at a drawing room so attired-will be denied admission unless provided with a" special "perm|ssfp|| from the.Lord Chamberlains office,.lq obtain which a doctor's ceitificate of the impossibility of the lady in question wearing alow dress with"safety is imperatively necessary. On entering the palace, ladirs .cross the. hall to.a largo cloak room, where all,wraps are deposited, and thenj' aioending'tlie 'staircase and passing along the corridor, enter the ball room, which is the first of the suite: of reception rooms. The room nearest to the presence chamber is reserved for those having the privilege of the enlrfe, such as the diplomatic corps, members of the present and - former Governments, the _ great officers, o.f sfote, members p.f the, household, Queen'g aid;4se - (janips^ and others. 'As each' room' fills," the doors are closed by a for) presided over by two qf the gentle* men at arms, so as to prevent undue crowdipg; and as each apartment emptiej^ _ > those in the next room are admitted to fill it. The last room is separated from the presence chamber by the width of the picture gallery, and while crossing this the ladies' trains are spread out by the attcpda- H U in waifog. . If- Hej? ■ Maiestv is present; the lady about to'be:preseMea should take off her right-hand glove before reaching the presence chamDer,*as it is on that hand that Her Majesty places hers for the lady ,to kiss. If the lady presented is a peeress or a peer's daughter, #er Majesty kisses her on Jhe cjrtefc! If the, Queen is not" present thei-e. &.'ss kissingx>f handg. In'either. casfe. ft-ipip-courtesy must be made tp paph^memfceV' or the Boyat family present as the lady passes... To do this gracefully rpquires some dexterity, 'as very little time is allowed, .and the train is taken up and-. thrown over the, arm almost before, the requisite number of reverences are .completed. All, except those privileged/-to-fcemaih in th(o throve room, b& stippdiiod; to leave the 11 room at'once, and »edfc thew carriages, or,- if not fatigued; linger in the picture gallery to greet theirfriends and admire the various dresses. The

drawingrooms commence at three o'clock with, the reception of those entitled to thfc entree, whff'enter at a sep&rlate: dqoi* leadrag from outside' Buckingham Gate \ the palace is thrown open' wo! hour 1 befdro]

and those who are early ~ ar© the most likely to have the pleasure of seeing Her Majesty, who is frequently obliged to retire from fatigue before the conclusion of the drawingroein. ;