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
We found a nice open carriage waiting for us at the door of the Palace
and drove off to Drottningholm, one of the Royal residences on Lake
Malar. The drive was charming, through pretty green country, and as soon
as we came near the Lake, villas (generally white) in every direction.
We crossed various little arms of the lake before we arrived at the
Chateau. It is an enormous pile, and stands very well in a large park.
The Governor, a fine old soldier (who rather reminded me of Marshal
MacMahon), was waiting for us with his son, and showed us everything.
The rooms are large and bright and exceedingly simple. It seems the
Royal Family are very fond of the place. There is so much room that they
can have as many people staying as they like, and they all live on the
water. We drove through the park, and saw the Governor's villa, not far
from the Palace. As we had been going since 10 o'clock the idea of tea
was not disagreeable, so we consulted our coachman (at least Mathias
did, as we couldn't talk), and he told us there was a good little cafe
in the park, at one end, far from the Chateau, where the public were
allowed, so we stopped there and had a very good cup of tea. It was cool
and green, and we rather liked sitting there with the lake before us in
the drowsy quiet of a summer afternoon. However we had to get back to
Stockholm, as W. had to make a visit to the Ministre es Affaires
Etrangeres. He sent him word just as we were starting that the King
would receive him to-morrow at one o'clock. He must also see if he can
borrow anywhere a Swedish grand cordon. He sent all his decorations
back to Paris with his uniform, quite forgetting that he might want some
on his way home, and they tell him he must have his, that the King is
very particular about such matters, and wouldn't be at all pleased if he
presented himself without his order. Patenotre's is no good, as it isn't
the same order.
We left W. the carriage and walked home, stopping and looking at all the
shop windows. I don't know that there is much to buy, but we are going
on a real shopping expedition to-morrow morning. Mathias showed us some
queer old streets and houses and a famous shop where there were all
sorts of fishing outfits. He is very anxious that we should go on to
Norway, see Christiania and some of the famous fiords. He says the
country is much finer than any part of Sweden, and there is much more
"couleur locale." It is just the season for it. I should like it
extremely, but I am afraid W. won't. He wants to get home, and must stay
three or four days at Copenhagen, where there is a fine collection of
medals.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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