THE ARMY PAGEANT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10009, 4 April 1910, Page 4

THE ARMY PAGEANT.

I The British Army Pageant, which is to be held in the grounds of Fulham Palace from June 20th to July 2nd. promises to afford an intensely interesting series of speclacles, calculated to arouse in the breast of even the most phlegmatic Briton some feeling of pride ot blood and country. Scenes depicting battles that have assisted to promote the destiny of the Emprie cannot fail to sweep the whole gamut of patriotic sentimenr, and for this reason alone, as serving to resuscitate some of the glories of the splendid past, the Army Pageant will fully justify the preparations that have been set on /oot for rfome time to secure I

the completeness of every essential detail. It speaks eloquently both of the lavish care that is being bestowed upon the preliminary arrangements and of the broad-minded spirit which has dominated the plans of the pro- J moters, that the utmost pains have been brought -to bear on securing a correct representation of Joan uf Arc. The subject, naturally, is one de manding the utmost delicacy of treatment to avoid wounding the susceptibilities of our excellent friend?, the Fre ■ h. The problem has been handsomtiy overcome, for Joan will ap-„ pear in the pageant triumphant on the field of Patay, wearing full armour, carrying the standard of victory, and surrounded by her faithful

knights. What proved difficult was the question of a lady to sustain the exacting role. After much searching an idea) Joan materialised in the person of Mrs Henry Hohler, of York, daughter of Sir George Wombwell, the famous Yurkshire squire and Crimean veteran who rode wi*h the 17th Lancers in the gallant charge of the Light Brigade and came unscathed out of "'the valley of death." Much nerve and skill as a swords wo- | man will be demanded, as, best riding a spirited white horse, clad in I armour, and bearing a standard, she muse head a charge of French knights on the field at Fatay, scattering and overwhelming an opposing force of English. The encounter is to be one of the most thrilling incidents of the pageant. It will interest the ladies to know that Mr Hobler will be called upon to wear her'dark hair cut short, a scarlet vel- i vet jerkin, bright brassards (armour for the arras) with small coudes (elbow pieces), bright leg armour, gorget (breastplate) of white armour, white satin surcoat to the ankles, lined blue, "powdereV vlth fleur-de-lis, and edged with gold, long jagged sleeves, lined with blue, edged with gold, and a scarlet swordbelt and scabbard. She will ride a white horse, with high saddle and blue and gold trappings.