THE ENGLISH MAIL.

Auckland Star, Volume I, Issue 94, 28 April 1870, Page 3

THE ENGLISH MAIL.

Princh! AitTnim m America. —The New York papers Lave been full of the proceedings in connection with Prince Arthur's yisifc. We take the following extracts from the account which appeared in the Tribune :—Boys with fiddles and harp played the choicest selections, while the younger ones went about soliciting pennies. Negroes, Irishmen, clerks, -washerwomen, well-dressed women of doubtful reputation, and politicians of both »exe3 asked questions of any one who was willing or able to give the least information concerning the Royal party. The hack-drivers were | particularly loquacious, and they improved every opportunity to talk and joke. " What is the meaning of all this ?" exclaimed a new comer. " Tho Prince from Canada is over to the hotel." "The Prince of Canada ! who is he— some big feller, eh ?" " Prince Arthur from England, sir." "Oh, no! yes, yes! Prince Arthur—a very nice man, I suppose ; some gineral, is he not ?" " No, the son of Queen Vie—." "Oh, yes, I know him; he ttas 'round here before the war. Right nice chap he was, wasn't he ?" The seedy individual addressed sucked a straw, and abstractedly gazed at the windows, occasionally condescending to answer questions, when they were not too deep for his whisky-soaked brain. Reporters darted up - the stone steps, and, with their characteristic modesty approached the desk. A young person who was said to represent a provincial paper, seemed determined to interview the Prince at all hazards. He button-holed the proprietor, who listened patiently to his questioning. Information was freely imparted, but the host distinctly gave the young man to understand that his services as porter were not needed while the Prince was his guest. Just then the luggage was brought in, whereupon the • reporter aforesaid took his stand by the door and commenced taking an inventory of the f royal baggage. First, there were three black | tin boxes, then a bundle of silk umbrellas with ' paragon frames. Here the proprietor came up, and again the countryman ventured a seductive smile. A lackey in a long drab coat approached, and the reporter photographed him on the spot. Then more baggage was brought in, and the reporter did not fail to note the splendid material of the soleleather trunks. There were hat-boxes of every size and shape. The cocked hats were stowed away in triangular cases, while the numerous shawls and blankets were visible among the scores of packages. When the luggage was properly numbered, the person with a drab coat and wooden spine managed to stoop low enough to reach the handles of a 50 dollar valise and carry it up to his Highness's chamber. Here another reporter arrived, and for tho seventeenth time the landlord was obliged to " take the stand." Those who have never been present at a cross-examination between a reporter and his victim should attentively read the following .- —Question : What tima did he arrive ? Answer :At one o'clock. Did you receive him ? Yes, sir. Where ? Yonder, on the pavement. What did he say ? What do you say ? (By this time the victim wiped hia face.) What wei'e your first iinpres sions on taking the royal hand ? Did Minister Thornton lead the way ? How many are there if the party ? When will! he Prince leave the city ? Will he visit Central Park ? You gave him your best parlour, did you not ? I suppose you engaged a squad of French cooks for this occasion V Say, look here, you want a good notice ? You Bhall have it. I will give you a quarter of a column. And the editors, I know, will speak of your noble generosity. I have it. You let me act as porter; I can carry baggage and answer the bell. My uncle had an hotel in Milwaukie. I will give you 50 dols., a puff, and the promise of an editorial, if you will grant me this slight favour. Answer : My dear sir, I cannot possibly do it. The idea is a good, one, and I think you would carry out the programme splendidly; but I cannot think of it. I will aid you in anything else if I can. Question: Who said-grace at the table ? Did the Prince have a goldnapkinring ? Did he put salt in his soup ? Who was the master of the ceremonies ? What is the name of your head waiter ? Does the Prince chew tobacco? How many courses ? Hero the poor man was sent for by the clerk, and while he was gone the reporter sharpened his pencils and stood waiting for hii victim to return.—Prince Arthur returned to New York from Washington on February 1. He visited the public institutions, and was privately entertained by Mr. Belmont, Mr. Morton, Mr. Stewart, and'other prominent citizons. The press generally remarked that his Royal Highness was acchieving great personal popularity. On Feb. 3 he accompanied (3-eneral M'Dowell on a visit to the fortifications of New York harbour. The forts raised and saluted the British flag, the military bands at the same time playing " Q-od save the Queen." Pitfall 3at the Admiralty.—We are told (the United States Service Gazette says), and have reason to believe truly told, that a detective system has been adopted at the Admiralty. It.is said, and we believe it, that the words of the personal confabulation of bargaining with the heads of some department re taken down for',t[ie..benefit of the head' and the detectives in general are reaping no jad harvests out of the Navy Estima'es. We ordially hope that the tfirst detective detected will be used as "in that case is made and provided," as pumps are always available.