OFFICIAL FLUNKEYSIM.

Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 7, 23 November 1863, Page 5 (Supplement)

OFFICIAL FLUNKEYSIM.

Among the items of. intelligence which have reached ns from London, there is qne referring to the arrangements for her 'Majesty's embarkation at Woolwich for Germany^ the authenticity of wliich we -should almost be inclined to doubt but for Unauthoritative Way in which the announcement is "made. In consequence, it is said, of her Majesty having expressed her desire to take ber departure With the strictest privacy, all applications for admission to , the Arsenal to witness tbe embarkation have been rejected. So far well. We can all readily understand, as we. all sympathise with, the feelings which would dictate such a wish' on the part of the Queen, and further than this we think it probable the expression of her . Majesty's wish^did not' extend. "Court flurikeyism, however, never satisfied with obeying unless it can also exaggerate and caricature royal wishes and orders, has determined that in this instance any one, guilty of being found in the neighborhood of the Queen's route, or of looking through a window, shall be „ subject to a penalty of severi'y compared to which those imposed under the Exhibition Medals Bill are nothing. " Orders have been issued by the beads of departments, instructing the police to arrest any persons belonging to the establishment, or otherwise, who may be found loitering in or about the thorougfares during the time appointed Tor the Queen's arrival. The clerks and others occupying offices in the vicinity of the avenue leading to the pier are also "warned not to approach the windows. The orders are to be enforced under pain of summary dismissal.", It further appears that as any breach of these instructions" is ordered tobe rigorously dealt with," It has been been mercifully suggested that the establishment shall be closed for the day at one o'clock. " A half holiday," says the officials, "is usual on such occasions, and is, theiefore, not without* precedent/ -Half holidays, and whole* ones too, have been no doubt usual on such occasions with all classes of her Majesty's subjects^ but . with the view of having an opportunity ' of ■greeting their Sovereign, not of getting out of her way to escape a penalty incurred bylooking at her. Has it come to that pass that the relations henceforward;^existing between British subjects and their So ye** reign when she goes abroad are toy be[ on the same footing/is in those eastern cities wliere, .when the despot passes -thorough (he streets^ the ' inhabitants must retire within their houses, shut their doors, nor dare to look out until he is past,,.. on : pain of - instant death i We hope for- some further imformation on this subject, which will enable us to answer the question we put. '