Rensselaer Republican, Volume 14, Number 14, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 December 1881 — PRINCE OF WALES AT HOME. [ARTICLE]

PRINCE OF WALES AT HOME.

A Ball at the Palace of Sandringham—Royalty at Its Best. London Letter to New Nork Mall. The county ball this season came off last Friday and was a very brdliant one. Two years ago when I was last in Norfolk, our carriages stuck in tHe marsh near Lynn-Regis for nearly two hours, and the water got in and made us all very comfortable: but the weather last we*ek was simply perfect, and although we had to drive fully five hours before we got to Sandringham, being a merry party and the stars shining brightly, it was pleasant indeed. Sandringham Hall is situated on the sea coast, close to Hounstanton, the now famous 'watering-place. It is by no means of an old house, having in fact been rebuilt by the Prince himself during the past twenty years. It stands on rather high land, and commands a fine view of the sea and woodland, and is altogether exceedingly pretty. The house is not large; that is to say for a royal residence, and there are a hundred “seats” in Norfolk fifty times finer, but it is excessively convenient; every possible modern improvement has been introduced. It is heated like an American house, and has the most magnificent conservatories, full of rare exotice and winter gardens, imaginable. The park is charming, but even this does not bear comparison with the Marchioness of Lothian’s place at Bliekiing, where Anne Boleyn wjes born, or that at Houghton Hall, the seat of the Walpoles, or, indeed, even that at poor Lord Townshend’s, Riynham Hall;but it is in many ways ways very delight ful, well stocked witji deer and. wateied Uy several pretty streams and a large lake. v On arriving at the hall the guest is .at once taken by a servant in royal livery to a dressing-room, where he or she finds all the conveniences necessary for touching up his or her toilette. Then a gentleman usher dressed in a black velvet court costume, and carrying a wand, tipped with silver, leads you into the presence of the Prinoe and Princess, who stand in the center of a rather formal group of royalties and illustrious personages. Your name is Called, and the Prince bows and the Princess courtesies, which acts of courtesy you repeat with all the grace at your command. Sometimes the Prince says a few words to you, and if your face is familiar to him he even condescends toebat in a very friendly manner. The Princess, on the other hand, is rather reserved, but always graceful and well-bred. On Friday, for the benefit of your readers. I will .-ay H. R. H. looked charmingly youtnfui, aud wore a dress of mauvecolored silk, covered with small rows of Brussels lace, edged with wreaths of pansies and lilacs. Her train- was of violet-colored silk shot with silver threads and heavily embroidered. She wore several orders and stars, a diadem of diamonds and amethysts and a veil of tissue. Round her neck was the famous band of black velvet, studded with enormous diamond stars. Her bracelets were amethysts and did: moods; and she held in her hand a boquet of Parma violets, stephanbtis ana white roses. A lovely costume, n’est ce pas? The Princess Maud, of, Wales, who is now a very beautiful girl, wore white tulle, very simple, and a wreath of white China roses. H. R-. H. the Princess Christina, lilac silk, with crysanthemums, and very big pearls. Graceful and animated I found to be the Princesses of Hesse-Darm-stadt, daughters of the late Princess Alice. In our company came a yon ng lady who was lx>rn deaf and dumb. Ou this (act being', communicated to our royal hosts, tne Prince and Princess with jreal kindness tbek special notice of her, and tfie Pnpce, although the lady 1.4 not in any way c nn >ctcd with the county magnates', with exquisite good nature and breeding asked her to dance with him, so that the afflicted lady had, through the delicate conduct on the part of the Prince, a charming souvenir of her ball. After the first formal introduction, which is rather alarming, all becomes smooth sailing. In no private house could you meet with more attention and "kindness. Nothing has been removed from the tables in the numerous sitting-rooms. The family albums lie around as usual, and one of these I discovered to contain some admirable caricatures, done by the various members of the family, especially by the Princess Beatrice, who evidently possessed a keen sense of the ridiculous, for some of her choice sketches of well-known public men and women were most ludicrous and truthful. General dancing does not begin until their Royal Highnesses have. gone through the cermony of the opening quadrille, which is usual perform--ed by guests staying in the house only; Once the “ice-breaker” is over, -then all fall to and amuse themselves as best they can, rather after the fashion of a public ball; but the Prince looks after his guests, and intoduces bashful young gentlemen to partners, aud makes himself useful and amiable in a thousand ways. As almost all the people present know each other, and indeed,for the most part me connected, it is quite amu° : ; o hear the remarks n» de as fat d.-zagers, blazing w'th diamonds, troop in with their fair youug charges, or rather fast widows flirt only too evidenly With dashing officers. Si