Letters of a Diplomat's Wife, 1883-1900Waddington, Mary King
History
Letters of a Diplomat's Wife, 1883-1900
Waddington, Mary King
Europe -- Social life and customs
This morning I saw the 9 gigantic horses which were paraded under the
windows. They started to-night, as they must rest at Berlin. M. Lhermite
is a treasure. He also starts to-night with his cooks and provisions of
all kinds. W. and Pontecoulant gave him all their instructions, and then
he came for mine. I told him I must have my maids in the room next to
me, and as we had a plan of the house, it is quite easy. I have a
fair-sized bedroom and dressing-room (which he will arrange as a sort of
boudoir) on the court (no living rooms are on the street), and the maids
a large room opening out of the dressing-room. He is eminently
practical; takes charge of the whole personnel, will arrange a sort of
dormitory for all the men servants; will see that they are ready in
time, clean and well turned out.
Pontecoulant, who is also very practical, overlooks that part of the
business; also the stables, and Mr. Leroy and Lhermite will report to
him every morning. Leroy has also just been in, much pleased with his
gala carriage and liveries. Hubert is beaming, and most particular about
his lace jabot and ruffles. I wonder how they will all ever settle down
to our quiet life again.
Thursday, 10th.
I will finish this afternoon, Dear. I am ready to start, dressed in my
travelling dress, dark blue cloth, with a long coat lined with red
satin, and a black hat with blue feathers (I haven't got on the coat and
hat yet). There has been such a procession of people all day, and great
vans to carry off the luggage. I have been rather bothered about my
jewels--how to carry them. I have taken everything the family own.
Anne's necklace, with some extra stones I had, has been converted into a
tiara. All the Russian women wear their National coiffure at the
Coronation, the Kakoshnik. As that is very high, studded with jewels,
any ordinary arrangement of stars and feathers would look insignificant.
Freddy, who is an authority on such matters, advised me to concentrate
all my efforts on the tiara--he also suggested ropes of pearls
(artificial) but I couldn't make up my mind to that. Chemin, the
jeweller, was very anxious I should "louer" a sort of breastplate of
diamonds--but on the whole I preferred taking less--merely mine and the
sisters'. What I shall do if they are stolen or lost I am sure I don't
know. I don't care to carry them myself in a bag, as I never by any
chance carry my bag, I should certainly leave it somewhere; and I don't
like to give it to the maids either, so I have put all the jewels in two
trunks, scattered about the fond, wrapped up with silk stockings, etc.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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