IN LONDON

Evening Star, Issue 20582, 6 September 1930, Page 23

IN LONDON

[Written by Cynthia, for the ‘ Evening Star.’] THE OPENING OF INDIA HOUSE. There were cheering crowds all the way when the King and Queen opened India House, Aldwych, which is one of the new parts ol London; that is to say, the rebuilt parts, lor these improvements were sadly needed, and now, instead of squalor and unhealthiness, beautiful buildings have arisen, phoenix like, from the ashes of the past. One of these is India House, and gorgeous uniforms, Hashing jewels, and scenes of Oriental splendour greeted their Majesties. There _ was wonderful music and singing, a choir of Welsh women stood on tho roof of a building opposite India House and sang tho National Anthem as the King and Queen arrived, and very beautifully do t!y>y sing, as 1 believe everyone knows who has visited Wales. Tho guests alone made most wonderful splashes of colour, for Indian raiment is magnificent. Turbans and jewelled headdresses of all kinds and in every shade of coldur, uniforms and fine silk dresses of, the Indian folk, combined to give a dazzling effect of reds, greens, pale blues, mauves, and pinks. The scene in the library, where tho speeches were made, was a memorable ono just before tho arrival of the King and Queen. It is. a white, arched room lined with dark* red panelling of Indian timber. Above, to the right and left, is a gallery with wooden railings carved in such intricate design that only by hours of examination could its full beauty be appreciated. To the right of the dais, in the gallery, the scarlet and gold uniforms of the Royal Life Guards string band caught tho eye. All round tho gallery were prominent Indian people. Beneath, on both sides of' the aisle up which the King and Queen were to pass, sat Indian princes and princesses, with lords and ladies of England, the Prime Minister and his Cabinet Ministers, and members of Parliament. Lord Chelmsford Marquess of Reading, two former Viceroys of India. Taking it all round, India House is an Oriental palace in which East aml . West may join hands. Tho decorations.are all Indian and perfectly beautiful and far beyond my humble pen to describe, and I am tojd the committee room is a thing to marvel over. In all, this palace has twelve floors find cost £324,000. It’s another sight belonging to London for those who come hero to see. Now we have Australia House. New Zealand House, Canada House, and ono for all our dominions; none is forgotten, and each has the official representative home with us. The great excitement of this week is tho last Court of the season, which will be more crowded than over, but my next week’s chat will cover that. REOPENING OP THE NATIONAL CHURCH. There’s only ono St. Paul’s_ Cathedral in all the Empire, and it’s the Empire’s church. Amid great enthusiasm after some years of work, lor it was considered unsale, it has been reopened by tho King, who, with tho Queen, paid a serai-State visit there to do so. . Tho grand building, one_ of Wren’s masterpieces, was full, standing room only. It was open to the public, and long before the hour for the special service every scat was taken, and the King and Queen, tho Prince of Wales, tho Duke of York and tho Duke of Connaught, ; all were there. No fewer than ICO 'archbishops and . bishops walked in procession to tho choir, the Lord Mayor and sheriffs were there in state, the Prime, Minister and his colleagues and- many peers and members of Parliament occupied places under tho dome; and a great congregationrepresentative of all classes ;hcrcd in tho nave and transepts. , Absent only was tho Primate of All England, who was to have :delivered, tho address, and who was regrettably withhold from tho service by illness. Bells pealed from tho great round tower, and it was indeed a splendid sight. I was interested to see tho Lord Mayor of London in full trappings of his important office, bearing the famous pearl sword point upwards. This is an insignia of the City of London, and has tcT bo presented to the King when ho enters the city. Tho service was most impressive, trumpets being used with magnificent effect in the processional hymn. Tho bidding, with which tho service opened and which was said by the Dean, was a welcome "to our cathedral church of St. Paul on this day of its completed restoration ”; and it was followed by the Lord’s Prayer. All through there was a dominant note of pride and gladness, and again and again those thrilling trumpet tones recurred, as before tho National Anthem, the hymn “Praise my soul, tho King of Heaven,’’ and notably the Old Hundredth and tho To Dcum, to music hv Dr Stanley Merchant. They rang through tho cathedral with a challenge recalling that of the trumpets in tho so familiar Rido of tho Valkyries. Assuredly never has 1 God Save the King” been rendered with more sincerity that it was at this thanksgiving service. The roar of cheering as the King ad Queen and tho Royal party left did one’s heart good. THE STORY OF THE LORD’S CRICKET GROUND. As all eyes are turned to tho national game it may bo of interest to hear tbo origin of the name Lord’s, the famous Marylebono Cricket Club ground in London. It was so called after a north countryman named Thomas Lord, a scientific gardener, who camo to London and found employment with several noblemen to care for their lawns. So successful was bo that upon being offered tho caro of the M.C.C, when it moved to the White Conduit Fields in tho year 1780 that it was stipulated that his aptitude in turf growing was such that the turf he put down or made by the work of head and hands should become his own property. Meanwhile cricket was growing more and more popular for the Earl of Wincholsea started a cricket club, and so much had the fame of his turf spread abroad that he requisitioned Lord to lay tho turf on the pitch. Hero this celebrated gardener brought his turf, and it grow and flourished so much that people camo to sec its wonders. Now, in 1814, the year of the memorable Battle of Waterloo, tho M.C.C. moved its ground to its present position, and Lord was again requisitioned. Ho rolled up tho turf from the old pitch, which ho had the right to do from Lord Winchelsea’s ground, and rclaid it on the pitch at Lord’s, where it grows to-day, and is like a lino green carpet. Tliat is why tho ground is called Lord’s, because ho ami his turf became synonymous, as ho had the right to move tho turf where ho liked.

It is most interesting, and I am told by a member of the club that the groundsman now in charge of it knows almost every blade of grass that grows there! THE SEASON’S JOYS. I am sure there have been few seasons in London that have presented so many attractions, especially for our overseas Press delegates who have arrived in the Old Country with the outlook as though money wore booming. It s the topmost note of crescendo, and Juno ending and July being entered, the trumpeters are giving a full blast to what must (bar Ascot’s thunderstorms) bo the finest and gayest season for ninny year. Ho do wo do it? lliat s the question wo ask ourselves! It’s no nso protending wo are not worried over tho Empire outlook, and that wo are not all longing for tho once prosperous days, because we are, and our children have to bo educated, and with safeguarding coming off what a state of things! We aro taught by history there have always been crisises, and there’s no doubt ono is near now m tho history of tho Empire. RELICS OF KING TUT. After all tho talk of tho curse of Tutankhamen’s tomb, it’s rather disconcerting to learn that some of these deadly relics have been reposing in the House of Comm oris itself, and unknown to all but ono person! It makes one believe less and less in superstition. It seems Mr Jack Lees, M.P., for tho Belphor Division of Derbyshire, who, it is said, was the victim of great misfortune while he possessed them, decided to hide them in an old chest m the precincts of the House. The owner declares ho does not believe in tho curse, but on two occasions was taken so seriously ill that at the wishes of members of his family ho promised to bury them so that there should be no tempting of ill luck or good fortune. Thus tho House of Commons lay under the evil spell. It is understood these relics were given by the late Lord Catvaron to a relative of Mr Lees, and at first they were proudly exhibited as treasures, but the illness of Mr Lees caused a panic in the family until they were removed. It’s strange that nineteen people connected with tho excavations of tho tomb have died under somewhat tragic circumstances. It may be just coincidence, as Mr Howard Garter continues merrily in his research work, and nothing has happened to him to disturb the even tenor of his way. Ho refuses to believe there is any such curse. I’m afraid I do, too, especially when one. comes to know all the other tombs of kings have been sacked by robbers. It’s always a wonder to me what has become of tho marvellous things all those Egyptian kings had buried with them. COMING TENNIS STARS. I have not said much about Wimbledon, as all our thoughts have been on tho cricket pitch, but wo have fared badly, you will know by tho telegrams. One hoped the women might pull it through, but no, England has not produced a champion anywhere of lato. There is Bunny Austin,. splendid in play, but lie lacks stamina, as is proved by his collapses this season. This is a great cause for regret, but I hear on all sides young Perry is a coming star. —ho is a splendid fast player, and purely English, so while there's life there’s hope. As I said before, we English do know how to lose gracefully! ANOTHER AIR QUEEN. Women seem to bo carrying all before them over “air outings,” as someone has called these hazardous flights. Miss Winifred Brown has just won tho King’s Cup for tho '750-mile air contest round England. Another woman, Mrs A. S. Butler, finished fourth. It’s quite extra ordinary what women do and succeed at these days, and so little tired was she that she went to a dance that same night, and did not get to bed till tho early hours. Talking of sporting events, you seo England had no luck at tennis, and was knocked out of everything. Concentration is what is wanted, I am told by those who know,- in championship play. It’s tho same with all games, not only tennis. It was quite wonderful to note that the veteran player, Tildcn, has returned to his one time form, and won again after many defeats. How that man has doggedly stuck: to tho game. 1 suppose ft’s tho only way to win anything. Competitions of any sort require the application that so many of our players have not the time for. You must be well oil’ to-day if you want to become a champion, and there’s tho rub. Then, again, our women all went down, and Helen Wills-Moody for the fourth time carried off the honours. It is agreed by most tennis players that Suzanno Lenglen, who retired from tennis rather than be defeated, would have met her Waterloo against tho redoubtable Helen now-. In her heart the old champion must be more than satisfied she retired when she did. It’s not our British way of looking at things, as 1 think the world in general knows. SIXTY YARDS OF TULLE. Did 1 tell you about a big London wedding, where the dresses of tho bridesmaids took 60yds of white tullo each? Well, you may easily imagine tho fullness of the skirts to require this. There were eleven of them, and very pretty were the girls, some of tho beauties of the season; but, if this sort of' fullness is to continue, crinolines must slip in. Each frock was gathered from the waist and fell to the floqi, and there was a sort of circular trimming of pleated tulle, with gold stars, in the middle, which made the appearance far more bulky; then, to add to the full effect, elbow capes of tullo with pleated frills at tho hem were worn. They might have walked out of an early Victorian picture. Tho bride’s dress was just as lull, but beautifully embroidered on heavy satin, with lilies and gold leave - They had headdresses of pointed leaves of gold and silver cut crystal, and carried posies of crystal flowers. A strange fancy, 1 thought. I’ve been looking at my diaries and note books, ana now 1 Ivel 1 may safely look back and firmly decide on what has been, and what has not been, successes this season. Ceitainly the long trailing skirt has not been a success, and about as hideous a garment ever devited by woman, or man, for that matter. When out charming women wore sweetly feminine and glided over smooth green lawns with a croquet mallet and drove in victorias behind a pair of glossy horses, fussy clothes were roaBonallu, and all the idle charm of elaborate dress becoming, because they did n jthing but look lovely, but that time L past, for even the richest of Eve’s daughters, and 1 agree with many others the best dressed women at all tin. parties given during the London i-easo i, hove been those who have firmly kept their dresses within reasonable length, and simply trimmed.

IKE JAC KET COSTUME. It’s quite certain what is known as the ‘‘Jacket Dress” is the success of the summer. Made of many different kinds of material, according to the time of day for which it is intendedflowered silk, crepe satin, georgette, crepe of many kinds —and in all colours, this neat, becoming ensemble has been worn at the races, at garden parties, and for luncheons, and invariably it looks right. The hat which goes with it. if small, may be jaunty and not look wrong, and, if large, may not have too eccentric a lino to the brim. For the morning the jacket dress and coat and skirt are of light woollen crepes and jerseys, or of mixed wool and artificial silk, and the hat is a beret or a c.loclie Usually a small bunch of flowers or one llower is worn on a jacket dress or coat and skirt. My note book also tells me that ankleiength skirts for evening wear are by far the prettiest and most worn, and, as to coats, these are almost tailored in the:i neatness, and are seen in silk, satin, and velvet, or sequin coats simply cut are worn over evening dresses for dinner at a restaurant and for the theatre. Wraps may be long or short, but the long capo or dolman is a later style than the snort wrap. Trimmed with big collars of fox fur, wraps either have uneven hem lines or are so cut about the arms and hips as to drapo gracefully. 1 saw the loveliest long theatre coat of pink old world brocade, slashed un at the sides and flounced with fox fur—tiie effect, with the l gorgeous high collar, was what one might call a dream.