THE QUEEN AND THE SCHOOL CHILDREN.

Evening Star, Issue 11251, 26 May 1900, Page 3

THE QUEEN AND THE SCHOOL CHILDREN.

EXTRAORDINARY DEMONSTRATION. The review of the school children by the Queen was by far the prettiest and most engaging thing witnessed during Her Dlajesty’s visit to the Irish capital (says a late Home paper) and' the demeanor of the tremendous crou d which gathered in Phoenix Park left nothing in doubt as to the popular appreciation of its characteristic charm. The idea, originated with Dir John Cooke, M.A., the hon. secretary of the. Society for tho Prevention of Cruelty to Children, who has lieun one of the most active of those who have been concerned in the arrangements, and the completest success has rewarded the efforts of the ladies and gentlemen who associated themselves with him. In all there were some 32,000 or 53,000 children marshalled in Phtenix Park, between the Vice-regal lodge and the Gough statue. From about a quarter to ten o’clock to a little after eleven o'clock the Northern quay was tho secno of a Lilliputian procession, in which almost every unit carried a little banner. 'The clean, shining faces, the sparkling eyes, and shrill cheers of the dear little Paddies were ail eloquent of pleasure, though some of the small creatures must have been sadly tired before thew got . home, again. On they trooped, literal and actual miles of them, black-hcadcd, brown-headed, golden-headed, red-headed, some of them ravishingly pretty ns Irish children have a. knack ni being, now and then some of them comically a-grin with pure delight, some full of thought and wonder at the big city and the movement and the crowd, some—there is no denying it —with evidences of poverty in their scanty dress, but even tho poorest with a touch of holiday attire, and, taking them altogether —there- is no denying this, cither—ns charming, as wholesome, ami engaging a sight as ever won the sympathy of a crowded town on a. royal festal day. They thronged tho special and ordinary service electric tramcars inside, and out, waving their small banners, and keeping up such a ceaseless cheering with their treble pipes that if there are not. a round 20.000 cases of infantile sore throat in Ireland at this moment it is a wonder.

Tn the Phoenix Park they were marshalled to the stands prepared'for thorn, and some of the schools were headed by their own juvenile bands, one or two of which played surprisingly well. When all the. children had been ranged up, the length of the route they flanked was very near'threequarters of a mile. They piped their thin cheers without ceasing. They cheered the distribution of sweetmeats; they cheered their teachers ; they cheered each other across the road; there was simply no end to their exuberance, and their innocent pleasure gave a delightful flavor to the whole morning. On the Queen making her appearance in the Park she was received with a deafening roar, which increased to a, perfect hurricane of cheers as the young son of the Lord Mayor presented her with a bouquet of lilies of "the valley, violets, and shamrocks, to which this card was attached by national streamers; “To our beloved Queen from the children of Ireland. Queen’s Day, April 7, 1900.” And that Her Majesty smiled her brightest on receipt of it. There was no doubting that she was at onco touched and happy when she. came in sight. Her beaming and tender smile was a sufficient warranty for that, and the reception her people gave her was so enthusiastic that, accustomed as she is to expressions of loyalty and affection, oven Queen Victoria may have found the popular greeting a little out of the common. Her Majesty's carriage—the plain landau she has used from the first—was preceded by two of the mounted police, and followed'by five others, and with the Queen were seated the Princess Christian and the Princess Beatrice, whilst Colonel Carrington, as equerry, rode alongside. The carriage was driven round the (Tough statue, and then returned to the Viee-regal lodge by the original route, and the return of the Queen, which had not been expected by the crowd, was the signal for a renewed demonstration, which was fervent in the extreme. The popular delight seemed to pass all bounds, and the cheering was almost frantic. The repose and quiet of the previous two days have worked wonders, and it wa.s not easy to realise the burden .of the years which weigh upon our venerable Sovereign as she went smilingly along. It is quite safe to say that no person present could have witnessed anything more delightful than this exchange of greeting between youth and age, between the humblest and the most august. It was a most graceful and most affecting spectacle, and an episode followed it which, though it was not observed by the crowd or accompanied by any hurst of popular emotion, was oven more touching and beautiful. In the evening a smoking concert was given at the Mansion House, and at this function the pressmen of Dublin were invited to meet their colleagues of England. Here the Lord Mayor told of what happened after the departure of the crowd, and Her Majesty’s return to the lodge. News was conveyed to the Queen that a little squadron of school children from Mayo had arrived ,npon the scene too late to join in the demonstration. Now, what did this Empress of hundreds of millions do but reattire herself, call out her carriage afresh, and drive out again to save this little handful of her infant subjects from disappointment. Was there ever anything sweeter and more considerate? Dublin is delighted, and the people of Dublin arc good judges of such an episode as this.