Annotations of Annabel

Radio Record, Volume II, Issue 23, 21 December 1928, Page 13

Annotations of Annabel

DEAREST: Edward, the Prince, proving irresistible target for eyes of Empire ands beyond, carried us all with him in eadlong race across the surface of the world. To adapt Mr. Davies’ poemIn midst of life, though full of care, We've all found time to stand and stare, as with mind’s eye and heart’s hope each of us followed the son of the Royal house in his high endeavour to reach the mecca of his father’s bedside. Greatly appreciative are

British people of magnificent assis- — tance on that mighty trek prompted by love and duty, and noble courtesy from differing nationalities ahd all sorts and conditions of men. Now we rejoice with them that do rejoice, inside and outside of Buckingham Palace, that the King, who has never failed his people in war or in peace, is emerging from the dark valley of "twilight and evening bell." RUE to type, during weeks of anxiety the Queen carried on the day’s work with undaunted courage and in accordance with the traditions of our race. So it happened that last reek thousands were thrilled to hear er voice for the first time over the wireless. The occasion was the uhveiling at Tower Hill of a Memorial to men of Marine and Fishing Fleets who, duting the Great War, gaye up theit lives, finding vanished sepulchre in the "unplumbed, salt, estranging sea." The noble words spoken by Queen Maty were, ‘‘To the glory of God and in honour of brave men." Peace to their memory, heroes of fishing smacks and -game small vessels,

that have been immortalised in most moving verse by Mr. Rudyard Kipling. WR. Philip Guedella, in "Bonnet and Shawl"’-assuredly as inspired title-makes witty and ruthless commentary oh characteristics and code of the Victorian female, as unpleasantly sometimes she was designated in the dear old days. Apparently wives of great men all remind hit they can make the lives sublime of their beloved partners by deliberately repressing feminine individuality, and exhibiting a sweet subservience that in theory throughout the ages has been beloved by man.

(THE alertly brilliant Jane Welsh Carlyle, one of Mr. Guedella’s ladies, rather kicked against the pricks of holy yoke of matrimony with the great and tempestuous Sage of Chelsea, finding him vastly unentertaining, in spite of his being so grandly conscious of "this vast Universe that storms in upon us, infinite, vague-menacing.,.", and oblivious to little homely happening and happiness strewn along the path, that go far to make that universe worth while. Hard to live in the rarified mental ether of so gigantic a genius, his attractive spouse discovered; nor was she first or last so to make conclusion. In the Gospel, according to this vivacious English journalist, who uses his lightness of literary touch to such amusing purpose, the Victorian woman escaped marital misunderstanding by moulding herself according to prejudice and predilection of her lord. Which method, by traitors to the great cause of feminism, is still practised as the better way of matrimony. ’Tis one, be it said, not to be despised, if the man be worth it. And quite often he is!

N passing, occasional wonder arises as to why children of this day and generation are permitted to go on shouting themselves hoarse, thereby ruining timbre of voice and nerves of their pastors and masters. In my abode dwells a youth, a handsome child, the only son of his mother, and she a widow and my landlady. At times I admire sturdy grace of this young barbarian at play, sun-bleached shock of hair and ruddy countenance. When, however, lingering long just outside my window at front gate, fumbling lovingly and noisily with iron latch, opening it violently. and immediately slamming it for sweet nleasnre’s sake. the while he shouts

Be a to boon companion Gordy (presumably contraction of name unknown)which, shrieked explosively, makes admirable expletive--then |' ubjure him and his gang, and peace on earth, goodwill to men, fades into the miragce of a lost illusion. MEANTIME Beauty, adorned and unadorned, crowds pavement and emporium, sweetly intent on doing her darndest to get the right things for the right people and pay her debts of heart and head. Amid profuseness of choice ’tis not difficult to find suitable trifles. Pink perfection of be-ribboned sachet, pufiet of posy make pleasant standby; while novel and lovely are tiny mitrors, small slight stems supporting gilt frame. oval glass flanked by miniature presentment of powdered, rose-fichued Watteau-like mayde of old. _ And, so stifling that long lonk back on past days diffused with light that never was on land or sea, we welcome linking up of friendship and recurrence of the happy Christmas-tide. Your

ANNABEL

LEE