LADY OF QUALITY 66 organisations and institutions asking for her patronage and support. And here again she must use considerable discretion in order to avoid giving offence and causing jealousy. If she took an interest in this charity it might be averred that she did so for vote- catching purposes ; while if she failed to support that she might lose her husband valuable friends. It is only necessary to recall what a hubbub was caused when it was thought that Mrs. Asquith, some time ago, had used the Premier's official residence, 10, Downing Street, for an exhibition of French dresses, to reaHse how very careful the Premier's wife has to be if she is to avoid unpleasant squabbles. Mention of lo, Downing Street reminds one that the Prime Minister may live there if he chooses to do so. Mr. Balfour does so when in office ; so did Gladstone and Disraeh. In the case of Mr. and Mrs. Asquith, however, they decided to continue to reside at 20, Cavendish Square — a house more suited to the requirements of their large family. Mrs. Asquith has filled her home with artistic treasures, and it is replete with old books, old pictures, and old furniture. She has been heard to confess with a sigh, however, that since Mr. Asquith became Prime Minister she has had little time to devote to her hobby of collecting, or of indulging in her favourite amusement of hunting. " Pleasurable pursuits must be put on one side," she remarked at a gathering a short time ago. " Even while holiday- making there are a hundred and one duties to attend to. The honour of such a position as Prime Minister's wife, however, brings full compensation." It cannot be said, how- ever, that the privileges attached to the position of Premier's wife are particularly striking. It is true that her husband is in daily communication with the Sovereign, and has his ear at all times, and at all functions is a most honoured guest ; but his personality overshadows that of his wife. Although, however", she does not take high precedence amongst the nobility, for instance, the friendship of no woman in the country is more sought after than that of the wife of the man who guides the legislation of Great Britain. Royalty The King. — A letter to the King should be written on thick, white notepaper, and sent in an envelope large enough to take it without it being folded. There are two ways of addressing the King. One is " To His Most Excellent Majesty " ; the other, " To His Most Gracious Majesty King George V." The name is included in either of these forms. There is a formal as well as an informal mode of beginning all such letters. The for- mal mode is used by all but intimate friends of his Majesty. Such a letter would begin : " Sire, — May it please your Majesty," and refer to " Your Majesty." Informally, the letter may begin : " Dear Sir " or " Hon- oured Sir." The conclusion of a formal letter would be : " I have the honour to remain. Your Majesty's most faithful subject and dutiful servant." In the case of an informal letter the ending would be according to the degree of in- timacy between his Majesty and the writer. The Queen. — Punctilious persons observe the same rule as in the case of the King with regard to the notepaper being unfolded ; but it is not incorrect to have it folded once. The paper should be white, and of a good substance. The mode of address would be: "To Her Majesty Queen Mary," or " To Her Majesty the Queen." or " To the Queen's Most Excellent Majesty." All letters to the Queen or Queen Alex- andra begin " Madam," and above this word is written the form of address adopted. The ending of the letter would be : "I have the honour to submit myself with profound respect. Your Majesty's most faithful subject and dutiful servant." Royal Princes. — Address : " To his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales," " To His Royal Highness the Duke of ." The abbreviation " H.R.H." is sometimes used on envelopes, but never in the inside of a letter. Beginning : " Sir," with the title written above it, and refer to as "Your Royal Highness." Ending: "Your Royal Highness 's dutiful and obedient servant." Royal Princesses. — Address : "To Her Royal Highness the Princess of ," or " Duchess," as the case may be. Beginning : " Madam," with the title written over it. Refer to as " Your Royal Highness." Ending : " Your Royal Highness's most humble and obedient servant." Sons and Daughters of Royal Princes and Princesses. — In cases where the chil- dren do not rank as Royal Highnesses, their title is Highness, and the above rules apply with the omission of the word " Royal " and of the word " most " before "humble" in concluding a letter. To be continued in Part 2 of Every Woman's . ENCYCLOr.<EDIA.
