THE GOLDEN WEDDING.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 556, 10 July 1909, Page 11

THE GOLDEN WEDDING.

Many have -been the congratulations showered upon Lord and Lady Roberts this weok, in view of the-golden wedding celebration, at I Suglemere, Ascot. The death of such a ono as George Meredith gives an added worth to the few great figures of the Victorian era. who still-remain. Of these "Bobs" is, perhaps, the bost loved. Tho half-century of marned .bfo which .Lord and Lady Roberts have,'enjoyed has..not - been, without- its shadows.;' The:loss of.the.gallant eldest son, who'fell after winning'the Victoria Cross during the Boer War, was : only one of several tragedies. ;.Yet ■ to'.few'- has a■' more .continuously happy life.been vouchsafed... In "Fortyone Years iu...lndia',".: Lord Roberts tells .the story of liis meetiug '.."fate, in ,the shape- of Nora B6ws." , Ths hdneymoon- was 'interrupted by. a command "Lieutenant" Roberts to,, attend: at Buckingham Palace to receive :,the Victoria .Cross, '.won ;during the Indian Mutiny.: ''Then the ; pai.r went baek'to the East.. Lord.Canning -was' Viceroy at t'hetime. He.knew. the young'couple and askedthem to dinner. .; Lord' Clyde: took in the bride. ITie China expedition was' in prospect, and, think-, ing :to gratify the; young girl on his righthand side,- Lord Clyde whispered, "If Rob-, erts,'hadn't been a. newly-married man I'd have sent him." ■ Young '.'Mrs." Roberts's reply startled his lordship; /She, hesitated for a moment, and then broke out, 'Tin. sorry, but I can't be very grateful to you f<jr making'my 'husband, feel i:am ruining his career by standing.-, in' the ; way 'of.,his being on . service." '. "Well,"; retorted 'Lord. Clyde, ■ "I'm ihanged 'if' I. can: understand - you;, women'.". However, another chance of active. service offered soon after. This time Lord Clydo did not interfere. -■ --'

No fewer than 140 women'candidates have been nominated for the forthcoming elections for the -Finnish''Diet. ,In the, last -Diet' twenty-five., women ' members were ■ eleoted. but it is iexpected: that this time the record will' -be ,easily" broken. The opponents: oi the women promise to iintroducca .tncustiro limiting' tho. electoral- privileges of women, who,' they are ,not practicaljwliticians and do ''not apply 'themselves sufficiently, to their' Parliamentary wort,. ..