THE FIRST OE JUNE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4400, 1 June 1882, Page 3

THE FIRST OE JUNE.

There is a "Glorious First" as well bb a 11 Glorious Fourth." The former has reference to an English summer .day, eighty-eight years ago, when a great naval battle was fought between England and France, and.' Britain's supremacy was triumphantly aesorted, In the fogs that had for days been lying, thick upon the sea off the coast of France, Lord Howe had been cruising about, and peering in vain for a glimpse of the enemy. Yet perhaps the opposing ships were all the time within an hour's sail of one another. At the end of May, the ships of Admiral Joy euse wereseeu— a goodly fleet; and there- was an intensity of activity aboard the English vesßelß — for Bngland's sailors feneff that a battle coald not well: be kngor delayed, and that, the strength of the enemy would ensure a hard struggle, and make worth winning the victory they counted upon. The Frenchmen, it was said, had the advantage— not in the number of ships— but in. guns and men ; hut the EDgliiu ships were " heart of oak," and ths English Bailors were trus-born tars, everyone. The battle was fought on the first day of June, and the victory was of bo brilliant a character as to oreato a. deep and lasting rcspecb for England's prestige, all over the known world. Thoie were not the days of cable lines and Beuter's messages ; and so it happened that not until more than a week had elapsed was the news known in London. JBut it spread with all the opeed of beaoon signals, and tho London audiences of that night were apprised of the good tidings from the play-house stages. What rejoicing there waß, — what lusty cheering. The programmes of that night included unannounced and unprepared items ; for " God nave the King " and " Kule Britannia " had to be sung, and enthusiastically applauded,, ere any ordinary business of the stage could be even thought of. Cannon banged and bells clanged ; the populace crowded the streets, cheering till they were hoarse, and taking to themselves such license as crowds have ever been wont to do upon liks occasions. Such, in brief, is the history, oi the " Glorious First " of June, 1794.