TOPICS OF THE DAY.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 12851, 9 July 1907, Page 6

TOPICS OF THE DAY.

Probably the nearest apRoyal proach, in real life, to the Visitors, sensations experienced during that worry-dream of finding oneself somehow transferred from bed to ballroom or reception without any preliminary process of dressing for company, would bo those of the man, privileged to entertaiu Royalty, who discovers, too late, that on this great occasion he lias mado some small but deadly fault in etiquette. What were the feelings, for instance, of the baronet who appeared at his door to receive our present King, then Prince of Wales, for the first time, arrayed, as loyal respect seemed to demand, in the knee-breeches and silk stockings of ceremony, when the Prince took the first opportunity to whisper, "Slip upstairs, my dear fellow, and change those things. They are not worn unless the Princess is with mc." Another etiquette anecdote of tho same, date records how the guest of a Duke, and a fellow-guest with ltoyalty, actually sat down to dinner wearing a black tie, and was presently rebuked by having a salver handed to him, bearing tlie regulation white article, "with tho Princo of Wales's compliments." One very sensiblo rule prescribes that a houso which entertains a king must first have its drainago system put in perfect order. Thus etiquette guards against tho typhoid danger, which has no respect for palaces. Before the plumber's bills arrive, tho host must contrive, besides, to lay in a good stock of pens. Royalty disdains to use anything but a quite new pen, and once augustly used, it is "tapu" even for host aud hostess, unless express permission is given for a less noble hand to wear it out. A small saving, however, may bo made on menu cards. By a rather curious custom, at a table where the King dines, it is etiquette that only the Royal persons should bo informed what there is to eat. Also finger-glasses at dessert may bo dispensed with. This rule Implies merely a delicate regard for the feelings of a guest who might bo reminded of tho use to which they were put in Jacobito days—for surely no ill-affected subject in theso times would bo tempted to drink, in Edward the Seventh's presence, to tho King "across the water"? Invitations to meet Royalty must, of course, bo wisely dealt out, under State approval; and nothing short of illness can excuse an invited person from appearing at the right hour, and remaining until the principal guest retires. A witness to this last necessity is the abject letter, written in apology by Mr Gladstone, when he once loft a dinner-party rather early, without first asking leave from iho Prince of Wales. But, after all, the English Court is content with a very mild degree of ceremony.

Mr Leonard Huxley A contributes •to the Great "Cornhill" some j n . Darwinian, teresting reminiscences

of Sir Joseph Hooker, tho groat botanist, who celebrated his 80th birthday the other day, and on whom the King has conferred the Older of Merit. As was stated in our appreciation of Sir Joseph Hooker* work a few days ago, his researches wero of considerable assistance to Dorwin in working out his famous theory. Hooker waa the earliest confidant of Danvin's great conception, and for fourteen years he alono shared th© sex-ret in full, and brought new material and criticism to his friend's aid. Wo find Darwin writing to him in 1844: "I am almost convinced (quit© contrary to the opinion I started with) that species are not (it is like confessing a murder) immutable. I think I have found out (hero's presumption) the simple way by which species become exquisitely adapted to various ends."' And Darwin said that if his book convinced Lyell, Hooker, and Huxley, that would be enough Hooker was ono of the members of the Club wliich Huxley and his brilliant circle of friends founded so that they might not los© touch with ono another in tho j_.ress of work. The idea was to •line once a month, before tho meeting of the Royal Society. The nine members of this brotherhood, which Huxley named tho X Club, were 'Thomas Hirst, afterwards director of naval studies at Greenwich, William Spottiswoode, afterwards President of the Royal Society, John Tyndall, Edward Fronkland, Huxley, Hooker, George Bush, John Lubbock (now Lord Avebury), and Herbert Spencer. The group furnished six presidents of the British Association. Was there ever, before or since, a regular gathering oi scientific men, equal to this? Some of these men left their impress deep on tho nation, and no doubt many an idea afterwards launched into public view was inspected and criticised at the X Club. Tho proceedings were not by uny means confined to the discussion of abstruse subjects. Huxley has recorded that at one meeting talk turned on politics, scandal, and expert witnesses, which he —following Lord Young— facetiously put in the third grade of liars. Mr Leonard Huxley combats the idea of the second-rate novelist that tho man of science is a cold, shrivelled-up being. He is often a.s adventurous as a hero of Scott, and lie can unbend sufficiently to sing a jovial, aud even a comic song.

Some astonishing The . particulars of the Talking-Machine, growth of the ph. oaograph trade are given by a writer in •Chambers's Journal." When the machine was introduced les3 than 30 years

ago, the pnblic hoped that* perfection would come quickly, and when it did not, they were disappointed. Then the invention came to be regarded as a joke, and laughter was succeeded by indifference. But science, working steadily, has made such improvements in tho talking machino, that the public have been won over to it again, and a huge trade has been built up. Tliere is scarcely an important business street in London or the Provinces without an imposing shop devoted entirely to the sale of talking-machines. A retail house will hold a stock of between 1000 and 2000 machines, and will havo an annual sale of hundreds of thousands of records. In England thero arc nearly a dozen large firms manufacturing the machines, with an aggregate capital running into seven figures. In seven months one firm sold 1,500,000 records, end last year another earned for its shareholders a profit 'of more than £200,000. Tiie writer notes the largely-increased demand for machines among people of means and education, and the growing popularity of records of a better class. The phonograph is becoming less a reproducer of comic songs, and more a storehouse of good music. It is estimated that thero are now in Gmit Britain at least 100,000 ntords to choose from, ranging from the latest music-hall scug, to a speech on education by the Archbishop of Canterbury, or an aria by Melba. It is •>aid that at least one-third of the income mado by many well-known singers is earned in the recording-room. Collectors spend a good deal of money on records. Collections of from 000 to 1000 records arc fairly common, and a man known to the writer has over 2000. Another's collection has overflowed from his house to his stable, and yet another has employed a mechanic for some weeks fitting up special rooms for the pccomniodntion of tho records. .Specialisation has already appeared; there is a fairly steady demand for records of particular composers, and even special operas.