"THE OLD BRIGADE."

Evening Star, Issue 12602, 6 September 1905, Page 3

"THE OLD BRIGADE."

Happiness complete and supreme is realised by few mortals, but at Chelsea, on July 24, there were 400 veterans who oxultingiy claim that tbey have drained the crap of happiness to the di-egs. Monday was the greatest days in their eventful lives, and July 24, 1905, will for scores of years stand out like a beacon light in the history of Chelsea Hospital- For upon that day the war-worn veterans, re--1 splendent in their scarlet frock coats and fulldress cocked hats, spent three delirious hours at Buckingham Palace. They were inspected ; by their King and his charming and gracious ! Consort, both of whom conrersed with the proud old men, who straightened their bent backs to saJut© their Majesties. And, delight of delights, one and all were invited to remain to lunch as the King's guests in the palace grounds. There, in specially-erected tents, the veterans enjoyed' a meal that will never be forgotten. A score of brakes took ibo men to the palace—"middle-aged" men of ninety-two and " boys ° o£ sixty-four, veterans with one arm or ono leg—each as happy as a child. Behind followed an ambulance carrying a few others, and half a dozen cabs on which were resting wheel chairs brought up the rear. Into the chairs the old men were lifted, and they took their places in the ranks with their more active comrades, who merely required sticks with which to walk. Their Majesties and the other Boyal personages at onoe proceeded to inspect tie pensioners, and spoke to them individually, asking questions concerning their services and decorations, commiserating- with the invalids and generally displaying keen interest in their guests. In their Majesties' presence sticks wore forgotten. The fine old men straightened themselves, and stood with their withered hands at the salute. "Three cheers for the King-.'" called Sir George White, and the inspection over, four hundred voices, gruff and oracked, were raised, and four hundred threecornered hats were waved. "Three cheers for the Queen!" and again the roar of voieea. The old boys hobbled away, with a score of j neatly-dressed nurses, to the refreshment I tents, where they were later visited by their J Majesties. The Queen passed among them, speaking to one and another, and sympathising with their ailments, and many an old veteran was made happy for life by having food passed to him by Her Majesty. As a. souvenir of their ever-to-be-reniembered visit the King presented to each pensioner a briar pipe, with the Boyal cypher stamped upon H. The gift was accompanied in each case by a quarter of a pound of tobacco.

A shipyard at Ominato, Japan, stiU in operation, was established 1,900 yeare ago.