LONDON JOTTINGS.

Waikato Argus, Volume III, Issue 173, 21 August 1897, Page 4

LONDON JOTTINGS.

THE JUBILEE. [FROM OrK LONDON LADY C jBKESI'ONDENT]. London, July fl. Looking back upon all that has happened during the last four weeks, everything seems like a confused dream, for it has been just one dai'y whirl, and to attempt to describe one-half would be impossible. More able pens than mine have done justice to the wonderful Diamond Jubilee of ISD7, but perhaps th e relation of incidents which came under my own notice, or were told me, may not be thought amiss. WAITING. The fint glimpse of the Queen was on the Monday" '-'lst, when a large crowd of spectators assembled to greet her on her arrival at Buckingham Palace from "Windsor, and the enthusiasm displayed there was but a forerunner of what might be expected the following day. Of course, there had been great hunting for good seats for the day of all days, some of them being awfully high, which was a mistake, as at the last many were still unlet ; however, we were successful in getting capital places in a large shop front in Fleet-street not far from Ludgate. What a morning of expectation it was ! But going along the streets early to avoid the expected crowds one would never have thought such a grand display was in anticipation. People were walking on as quietly and orderly as if on their every-day busines?. We were able to pass through a private back-way through the Scottish Corporation Courts, so reached our seat* without difficulty. A GOOD-HUMOURED CROWD. Though we had some hours to wait, there was plenty to amuse us in watchinc the gradually-increasing crowd, their patience and good temper, and to hear the amusing remarks they bandied with those near ; lots of them squatted on the ground, eating buns and oranges, as happy as could be There were the usual vendors of cheap articles : " Official programme, Sir, one penny, the only k'recb programme." " Oranges, two-a-penny, lady, full of juice ; two Jubilee oranges, juice and all, only one penny." " Jubilee favour and medal, the best likeness of Her Cracious Majesty ever taken, to hand down to your children's children ; favour and medal one penny, only one penny, and so on." THE " SORROWS OF SATAN ! " Looking over the shoulder of a lady seated in front of nic who had been reading in the midst of all this going on, I found her book was " Sorrows of Satan." Good gracious ! I thought, fancy being perched on a Jubilee seat at 7.30 a.m. and troubling about the sorrows of his Satanic Majesty ! It certainly showed a concentration of brain power beyond me. SOLDIERS AND GRAVEL MEN. And now a detachment of Guardi came to line the street, which caused fresh interest. At last all traffic was stopped, showing the momentous moment was drawing near. Even forlorn pedestrians who cune looking wildly about to obtaiu a footing somewhere were igno miniously put to flight by police to the huge delight of the crowd. Just then a something was descried in the distance, evidently some privileged vehicles, and something white and glistening. What could it be 1 There was great excitement as it gradually can.e in sight, and then a roar of laughter, and, amidst frantic cheers of " Hcoray, hooray, three cheers for gravel," the gravel carts, which are always the preliminary of a Royal procession, approached. The carters in their long white smocks and carrying long shovels had been mistakeu for more important characters. They responded to the cheering and chuffing by shouldering their shovels and gravely bowing right and left. THE LORD MAYOR. At last the Lord Mayor with his escort came past on his way to meet the Queen. He was loudly cheered, and then, almost before we could realise it, he returned—-bsre-headed this time and bearing the big sword oi the city, and closely following him came the long-!o"ked-for pageant. THE PAGEANT. Talk of Queen's weather ! Was it a coincidence or not that, after all the unsettled weather there had been and the fears that even that dull grey morning would end in rain, the very instaut the Queen stepped forth from the Palace and sent her message all over her dominions and as the guns boomed forth, the sun burst through the clouds which had hidden it, and everything looked bright and beautiful. The procession was, indeed, a thing never to be forgotten, and it was wotderful how the people recognised each person of importance and cheered their favourites. I have heard this remarked on several times ; the crowd always seems to know everyone. Right gallantly did the troop? bear themselves ; the horses, too, with their beautiful glossy coats, moving along to the music as if they knew what a proud day it was. The ever-we'eome Guards, headed by the popular Captain Ames and the Scots' Oreys, looked splendid, but when the Colonials cime the cheering was greater than ever. Their uniforms were much admired, so different to all the rest, and so picturesque, too ; they rode remarkably well and in soldierlike trim. The Royal Family and all connected with them received a perfect ovation, and audible blessings were showered on the Queen as well as the Princess of Wales. As one woman in the crowd remarked : " Lord love 'em all ; I don't know which is best on 'em ! " Soon, too soon, it was a'l over, and the Diamond proccss'on became a thing of the past. A STIRRING MOMENT. Ytt not quite, for very shortly from St. Paul's came the first notes of the National Anthem. In an instant everyone was up on his and her feet, every hat was off, group after group took up the tune, and on and on went the wave of sound, to stop we knew not where ! DECORATIONS AND ILLUMINATIONS. As to the decorations and illuminations nothing could surpass them for lavish magnificance. The Mansion House, the Bank of England, and other public buildings were grand, but for taste and loveliness St. James-street carried off the palm. Fancy the whole street festooned across from end to end with real flowers, hanging baskets of tinsame here and there, each festoon fastened to tall Venetian masts, while hidden away among the flowers and leaves were f>o,ooo tiny electric globes, which, when lighted at night, made one realize what the term " Fairy Land " meant. While waiting near the Albermarc Club, to see the effect that night, the vast crowd became rather more of a crush than was pleasant, but the people were quite orderly and good tempered, notwithstanding they came in for a good pelting with " Jubilee confetti " from the balconies above. Only one elderly party shewed himself in such an nilJubilee frame of mind that a small boy perched on the top of a post at last, raised his shrill voice and sang cut, "I say, perliee, there's a gent here wots nwallered his own pepper-pot, ain't ger got a h'armbulance for him " '.' After this tally, the cent collapsed and was no more seen or heard ! The West End looked well in every way, particularly the different chilis. Baroness Burdett-Couts' Mansion was beautiful, entirely covered with imitation tapestry, with a stretch of crimson velvet just under the roof, and the balconies draped with violet silk and

gold fringe bordering. The newspaper buildings in Fleet-street were reinarkably wed done, especially the Daily Tclecraph, wheh was hung With White and covered with device? and festoons of choice exotics, with Crown and \ . L. in centre, illuminated by flash lights from the opposite side. The whole of Cheapsidc was festooned KiK'thway with rores of art'fictl flnvcrs, fastened to high poles on the pavement ; Fleet-street the same, the latter poles being violet and gold. There must have lio-rn miles and miles of artificial (lowers used for decorations. There were -100!) flowers-makers employed. Mrs Drill, from whose establishment the chief supply came, generously offered to make good all that had been sp Jilt by the previous rain, at her own expense. THE CITY. I could not help thinking that, for combined effect, the City beat the West End. In Picadiilj, and all long there, though one illumination of itself might be splendid, yet the Mansions arc so large and separate as it were, this was not tutiicicnt to shew to advantage the next almost non illumined place and light up its decorations. In Regentstreet, the same where the street is so wide, I noticed many dark gaps, but in the City the narrower streets and smaller buildings close together, made every corner seem to be penetrated with light. Looking along the Strand, and down Fleet-street and Cheapsidc, the effect was marvellous. The flowers, waving flags, hang ng draperies, illuminated mottoes, glittering crowns and sparkling devices, all mingled together in a blaze of light aud colouring, not leaving a single dirk spot. OPINIONS OF FOREIGNERS. Foreigners have been amazed at the lavislniess and enthusiasm displayed. Each nation appeared to be struck in some different way. The German, as he walked along, could only ejaculate " Colossal, Colossal " ! The Russian was most struck with the cleanliness of the troops, always. He said : " No man ever looks dirty." The Frenchman admired most the wonderful order maintained with so little trouble, and the good understanding between the police and the peop'e. GOOD ORDER. No wonder, for indeed the tact and untiring patience of the police have boon the theme of praise on all sides. They are a splendid body of men, and the most courteous, kind and patient I ever came across. There have scarcely been any street disturbances or rowdyism during the Jubilee, the cases at the Policecourt ivere fewer that week for three days than they often are for one. The Magistrates were astonished, and one of them exclaimed : " Why, is this all " ? Of course, all vehicular traffic being stopped on tho e nights in the chief thoroughfares made a difference, but though there were thousands of people peraniubulatiug the streets till morning, there was no accident or disturbance, and drunkenness was conspicuous by its absence. A MAGNIFICENT SPECTACLE : THE STATE PERFORMANCE AT COVENT GARDEN. We experienced a far worse crush the uight of the State performance at Covcnt Garden. The coiridor and all up the steps were just a jam, aud once in it you couldn't get out, while the heat was suffocating ; but the scene that greeted you or. entering was worth all the previous unpleasantness. Roses here, there and everywhere; 100,000 roses and 10,000 orchids! No wonder the Essex rose growers had to charter a special train to convey the flowers. In front of the Royal box orchids reigned supreme, interwoven with the roses and foliage plants. THE ROYAL LADIES Then as box after box was filled by " fair women and brave men," the scene became more and more bewildering in beauty. The Princess of Wales looked lovely in white satin, embroidered in silver, diamonds and pearls, with magnificent diamond crown ant necklace. The p.pular Duchess of York looked charming in deep pink satin, the bodice covered with chiffon and embroidery, with tiara of superb diamonds. Tin; Princess of Napks called forth great admiration, dressed in rose- piak satin, with high pointed diamond crown ; but one anil all looked well, and the effect of the numerous diamond tiaras which the Royal Tarty wore, to say nothing of the magnificent jewels flashing all over the house, mingling with the bright uniforms and court dress of the gentlemen, was simply dazzling, whilst flowers, lovely flowers, completed the beauty of the scene. THE PERFORMERS. It was impossible to give one's whole attention to the operatic performance ; indeed I think these short selections take away from the music of a whole opera. The scene from "Romeo and Juliette " was very good, and the music lovely. Melba was in that, but it was too short to judge what s'-c might be in full opera. I l'ked Miss Mclntyre in " Los Hugenots " very much, but the men were anything but a handsome set. Jean dc Besckc has a fine voice, and is better looking than the others. It was like a second Jubilee crowd outside, for the streets were thronged with people to watch the long line of State carriages with their occupants pass along. THE PRINCE AND PRINCESS OF WALKS. An amusing incident occurred near Picadilly that same afternoon; just when the crowd was more than usually large and a " block " evident, some one exclaimed : " Why, here's the Frince and Princess !'' The oiy ran along like wildfire, making the crush, of course, greater. The solitary policeman stationed at the crossing looked round in horrified amazement, and no doubt felt inclined to ejaculate, like little Lord Fauntleroy's grocer friend, Mr Djbbs, " Well ! I'm jiggered " ; for there indeed were the Prince and Princess with their family, followed by the Duke and Duchess of York, in their carriages as comfortably blocked as could be amidst trams and busses, carts and hansoms, and greatly amused they appeared to be. They had just been having an unofficial drive round for their own pleasure ; the people were delighted and as usual gave them a good cheering. It avas little Prince Edward of York's birthday too ; he was just three years old, and was apparently enjoying the bustle around him. THE DINNER TO THE POOR. One of the most touching events of the Jubilee was the Princess of Wales' dinner to the poor. She and the Prince, accompanied l, y Princess Victoria, visited three of tin- places, and her reception was most heartfelt in its warmth. Some of the old people ventured to take her hand as she passed along, which she surrendered to them with kindly words and looks, and they blessed her with their poor grey old heads bowed over that gentle, womanly hand. At the crippled children's dinner she stayed some time ; both she and the Prince were quite overcome when they looked round and saw (he sad and pitiable looking children, but the little ones brightened up and appeared thoroughly to enjoy themselves. THE COLONIALS. As to our colonial friends, if they arc not satisfied with their trip they ought to he. On all tides they have had kindness shown them. Fetes, banquets, theatres and entertainments got up specially for their amusement, and one and all have seemed to vie with each other in contributing to tho amusement of their friends " Across the Sea." One cf the nun composing the Gold Coast dotachmeut wlieu leaving said: " Me like

to stop—yes—two year—will be jolly." They were mighty delighted with the presentation of medals at Buckingham Pal ice by the Prince of Wales. The officers' meda's arc silver and those of the men bronze. Some of them positively beamed with delight, particurly the blight eyed little Dyaks from Borneo, when ihey pinned the medal on llieir breast. The Canadians have Icon great favourites and supremely loyal in their expressions. Thc'r commanding officer wrote a very nice farewell letter of thanks to all their military friends. by the way, let me remark that New Zealand docs not come to 'he front half enough ; the c is lass mention of her doings in the papers than of any of the other colonies. How is this ? Do not the newspaper reporters find enough to write about ? Lord Rosebery made rather a hippy remark the other evening at the National Liberal banquet givm to the Premiers. In proposing the colonies, coupling it with the name of Mr .Seddon, Prime Miirster for New Zealand, Lord Rosebery said : "He thought we had outgrown the word 'Colonies,' which was suggestive of something infantile or with even disagreeable associations and he was sure Mr Seddcii and their other guests would rather le included in the larger and more inclusive toast which lie would propose as ' The Empire.' " MADAME PATTI. I had the pleasure of attending Patti's last conceit this season at the Albert Hall, and enjoyed it greatly. .She sang divinely and looked charming in a lovely dress of rose pink poplin with tiny silver sequins worked in designs on the skirt, the bodice trimmed the same, an i a band of diamonds in her hair and round her throat. Shs has been much concerned of late about her husband, to whom she is much attached. He was thrown from his bicycle and the doctors fear some internal injuries'. I thought Patti showed marks of sadness in her face when nor singing. She received great applause, and when she gave " The Last Rose of Summer'' and "Home, Sweet Home" there wns a perfect furore after the intense stidness which reigned during each song. There is no doubt she still occupies the throne as Qne.n of song, I was charmed with Grace Oakley's singing, and her appearance is equally pleasing. Slight, but dignified in figure, with a sweet face surmounted by a mass of golden brown hair, quiet and unassuming in manner, and most becomingly dressed in soft white satin she looked quite a picture. Her voice is a rich, full contralto. The two old favourites Santley and Edward Lloyd were in great force. They were both in splendid voice and looked as jolly as ever, Lloyd is getting quite fat. MR TOM JACKSON, At last I have heard Mr Tom Jackson again, or as he calls himself, Mr Mandeno Jackson. He gave a concert last week at the Queen's (small) Hall, almost like a private concert, as it was not advcr.ised, and the tickets 10s (3d and 03 were only obtainable through himself, but by good luck I had a ticket given me. To tell the truth I did not enjoy it very much, it was rather a flat affair. Tom sang very nicely, but his voice is not a powerful one. He looks remarkably well and more boyish than ever. It was quite a ' Colonial ' company ; Amy Sherwin, Minna Fischer, Therese Sievright and others, and, of all people, Mr Clutsam who used to be in Auckland, was accompanyist. MR GEE. Mr A. H. Gee re-appeared at a concert last week at the Crystal' Palace, but I have seen no account in the papers mentioning him. What he Ins been doing a'l this time no one knows. I heard on good authority that he was disappointed with his visit here, and had been singing at one of the music halls under an assumed name. If, elated by his first success, he expected too much and tried to pose as "Le grand Artist" with the Londoners he would soon find his mistake out, but I only give this from hearsay. My article is getting too long, or else 1 would like to give an account of the Philharmonic Concert last Thursday, which was indeed a treat. MUSIC. As to new music, I have not come across much I care about yet. Everything sung or played nearly has, up to now, had a Jubilee flavour about it. or been S3lecled specially for tome grand occasion. There will be a better chance of hearing new compositions when things settle down more into their usual groove. The name of the very la't new music hall song tho' I must tell you, it is " Mingle Thine Eyebrows With Mine Love." No doubt some of your readers will appreciate the two-fold touching sentiment expressed in the title. THE DEPARTING GUESTS. The Premiers arc gradually "departing in peace," having had separate special dinners given them. To-night at the dinner at tho Holborn Restaurant in honour of Mr Seddon, there will be a new departure from the usual mode of entertainment, the Maoris, now in London, are to give a grand liaku or war dance. Won't they astonish the guests! Many other Jubilee incidents which came under my notice 1 intended touching upon, but space will not allow me to do so. I only hope what I have written will not bo unacceptable.