THE KING AT ETON.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 395, 2 January 1909, Page 7

THE KING AT ETON.

■ t -: \ .. ■' ! MEMORIAL TO OLD BOYS WHO FELL IN ' ' SOUTH AFRICA. ' VALUE OF DISCIPLINE. "You can have no better example than that ,of the brave men of whom this splendid building is a loyal and lasting memorial." . . Thus' the King on November 18 addressed ■ tho packed mass of Eton boys gathered in tho beautiful hall erected to the memory of those from the school who fell in South Africa: '. .-■lt was an. inspiriting spectuple.; Before .'the . King ;stood many old Etonians and others who have dono the.State service, among .them •Lord Rosebery, Lord Esher, Lord Cheyles,more, Lord Wemyss,: and Lord .Roberts. In the centro of tho puro white hall, in front of the Eton . Musical Society, all the boys were gathered in close; order, oxcept' those of the officers-.training .corps, into wnicli the, school oa'dets ; have , been; transformed; . under ;,Mr. Haldane's schemc. . The King :was! accompanied by the Queen, in purple velvet, Princess Victoria, in groy, Princess Patricia of Connaught,; in a charm- ; ing pale green costume, Princess Henry of Battenburg, Princeas Christian, Princcas Victoria of Sehleswig-Hplstein, and . .Princess Alexandor of Teck. - Memorial Ode. ' ' On his Majesty's entry 'tho National Anthem was sung, and after a religious service by. the Bisnops of Oxford arid. Lincoln, the College Musical Society sang the Memorial Ode written by Mr. Robert Bridges and sot to noble music by Sir Hubert Parry,-who himself conducted. Ono of tho verses is: — Lament, O muse of the Thamekin'.pride lament again . .' ; ' : ■ -: -With low, . melodious grief, remember them . this hour. -;■ ' ' Seyohd ,your dauntless joy, my brother was our v ■ ' ' *■■■ ~ - v "'■ Abo-v;e"all'-g6ld,- : my country, the laVish' prico 'of ; thy • power. - iThe ancient groves : havo mourned our sons, for whom no more. ~. ~The sisterly kipses, of life, the loved embraces, Remember the love of them Who'.came not: ; . baok from the war, ; " •- .. The'fatherly .tears'and the veiled faces. " I t-Tlto King's Bpocoh. ■ - - ■ i';l: Ths,..gjng,. whose, voice was- ; . Vibrant' .with 1 emoti6fc,ks ;;he .. uttered ;tlie words , quoted' above,-said in, reply to' an. address,.by. the. Captain:; of the School,. Mr: ! ,E., Matthews,. King's Scholar :fr''"...". .. ; " 'fho. Queen and I are most gratified by your; loyal ii'ndidutiful. 'address;; .-'Wo have ;al-. ways felt a special.- interest in. - successive generations' ■of ■ Etonians, ■' arid deep ' concern for'.-- their, welfare; .while', at' school,, and for their, success and '.credit in after life. Of those -whom I now' before nip iome will', ' T have no doubt, aim. at high positions iri the Stato, 1 and'-attain.'distinction -equal to; that of their most honoured predecessors. Others Will sorvo' their country with. vigour arid reputation in our;, forces • or,; in. .tho professions; of art and learning, :' ' .' '.' Your success and; :the. reputation which you bnioy-in tlio mouth of men, arid,"what is still; more,; important; in .'your! own mind ' 'and ,consciericp, : : depend , upon the riso . which j-ou' make of j Me. ;means I '. which are how. placed , gerierously.at' your disposal for the cultivation, of, your', minds and, bodies, and ..the dcvelop■ment of your pharacter. AWtatever may. be your; Subsequent, careers, you all.have the opportunityof 1 leaving Eton trained iii . the knowledge and acdomplishments of English geritlemenj and disciplined to ' the, self-re-straint, the coiisidcralion for- others, and the lpyal acceptance of .private and public duties ' are. the ideals of. our race. • " I exhort you to value and to make tho most ;of that. training . arid discipline: You' can have no better examplo than that of the brave men ,of whom this splendid building is a-loyal and memorial. Thoy sacrl-'-rficed j themselves with - devotion tothe great cau'so which we have all at heart—tho cause of our country—«nd; freely laid down their lives, for' her sake. ;In their lives and by : their ;deaths ;they; maintained the; traditions which have made Eton renowned' in our lnß--tiry,- - Those traditions are now in your keep- ; ,-ing. '- Bo',worthy of them. I pray, earnestly .tjiat; the -blessing of God may .'attend 'the career of: every one of you." ; ; -Throe Royal Eton Boys. -His Majesty's reply to. the Provost 'was: ■ '<Ivtharik' you-most heartily on behalf of the Queen and; myself for your loyal address, or . welcome, /My lifetime interest in your' famous foundation is well known to you. . I am glad to think'that three of my nephews have been educated in this great school, which ,is so close to Windsor Castle. 1 "I: have noted evory change and improvement in jfcho School, have watched with tho .utmost interest the great work "carried on within its walls. ; This is a pleasure .to me, :and .it. must-be! so to,' ! thoso on whom' rests tho' respor-"iility for the success or failure of'its'.work.; , . .'.'l can . well understand 1 your justifiable pride in the hoblp deeds of old Etonians, and I share botli the' prido you : must feel iri the contemplation of .this beautiful memorial building,-and..your ipersorial sorrow and regret at-the. loss, occasioned by tlicir . death. The brave men in whoso memory it is crectied nyill iiot be forgotten/.and. their; .noble . examplo will'serve to inspire their'successors in the .-school' arid [to incite, them to deeds of courage ; arid . devotion :to duty. ■ ■ "The admirable ' appointments' ofthe , interior of the building of this great hall, cap-; able-' of containing the ? wholo schools, and tho library arid museum will render it a •.very'.'.valuable and beautiful .'addition to the' college and a great acquisition to future students."' , j ''. ''' The boys lined the street and cheered ' their Majesties - with the; wildest enthusiasm . ; as they drove away. . .- ~ -.