LOVABLE LONDON

Evening Star, Issue 21621, 17 January 1934, Page 11

LOVABLE LONDON

THE LORD MAYOR'S SHOW

[By M. S. Phi.mmkk.]

Now I know, why London is a.“ she.” Slowly but surely she just gets inside the cookies bt yoiir heart. "Her kindliness and sentimentality, thinly veneered with cynicism, her lipstick and powder coquetry, and hey quick responsive smile to'the call of a triumphant past, arc not these the substance of the eternal feminine P

And that’s why he who has ears to hear and eyes to see finds copious mental meals. Thus philosophises the newcomer as she joins in the throng that hurries citywards, for is not this the great day of the year when the descendant of Dick Whittington finds that his dreams of gilded chariots have come true ? , THE YEAR OF GLORY. Here I am going to let you into a little secret—that not one in a thousand knows about this affair of wigs, gold chains, and prancing steeds. It is the symbol of Cockney supremacy—yea, even over Royalty itself. There is still a sacred spot in Fleet street where used to, stand Temple Bar, and here the Sovereign must halt till permission to go through the city is given by the Lord Mayor, duly, 1919, was the last occasion when the King, on his way to the Royal Exchange to read the peace proclamation, paused while the magistrate presented the city sword to George V., who then handed it back and proceeded on his way. Nor do mayoral privileges end here. London’s' guardian must be the first to be summoned after and informed of the Sovereign’s death ; he holds from the Crown the keys of the Tower, and four times a year receives the password for'this erstwhile State prison ; he is the chief butler at coronation banquets; he can 1 prevent troops from entering the city ; and to this day soldiers, except the Buffs, must not march through with fixed bayonets or colours flying; but,— even more precious—London’s sword and mace are carried upright before

him—an honour shared, only by the head of the kingdom. All these glories were wrested from the ill-fated John of Magna Carta memory, though, in fact, William the Conqueror was made to understand quite plainly that, conqueror .as he was, he was only,on sufferance in London, and like a wise man he did not argue the matter with a woman. CRIME AND PUNISHMENT. ; - The Lord Mayor has Jots of real hard work in hjs year of'.ppwer,. though not of the same type as in olden days, when he had to settle quarrels and strikes between the various city guilds or industrial corporations. Fancy keeping the peace between seventy-seven different bodies' i am , sorry for the poor bowyers and fletchers (bow, and arrow makers). Their • ipiserable twenty or so members and, pitiful annual income of £IOO a year make a sorry show by those plutocrats of mercers and £IIO,OOO a year. All the same they stick to their livery, and like the others jealously make membership hereditary or the ultimum , bonum of election by merit. The Prince of Wales is'a-Fish-monger. ' ,

I like the vintners—still wealthy and the possessors of a fine old sculptured hall almost on the banks of the Thames. They DID know how to make “the punishment fit the crime.” Listen to this. John Rightways (sic) and. John Penrose, naughty fellows, sold bad wine to the deceit of the common people,' the contempt of the King, to the shameful disgrace of the officers of the city, and to the grievous damage of the commonalty." Penrose had to drink a draught of his wine, and the rest was poured over his head, nor was he ever a vintner again. " THE SHOW.” In the days of Jong ago the annual November 9 procession sailed—or rather was rowed majestically—on the ihames, for it was along its banks that trade throve • and a goodly sight it was, also site. Nowadays, what with traffic by land and water, it yearly becomes more difficult to accommodate the excited juvenile mob anxious, apparently, to be run over by cars and trams, and the heavy, bedecked chariots with their precious freight of aldermen and ■sheriffs, not to mention the 'white, curled, bewigged coachmen and lootmen in full war paint. you know what arc ■formers? Makers of bits, bridles, and the like, and a fine wagon they had, with -men at work blowing up the fire with bellows, more and more bellowing coming from the thousands and thousands of young throats as they pipe: “Here he comes.”

“Now ’Arry,” urges the’ young mother of a future citizen. “Don’t forget to_ give I ini a cheer; waye yer nag. ’ No second bidding'needed this time. All along the densely populated paths paper ribbon banners flutter in the wind, peanuts spill in the excitement, shoves pass unheeded, captive balloons find unexpected liberty,'sellers of-tissue-paper handkerchiefs with the show programme gaudily painted do good trade. -A wild, almost hysterical shrillness breaks out afresh. Judiciously left to the end, like the best bit of a slice of cake, conies the-truly wonderful coach, the hero within bowing to all and sundrv. •

It was well worth the Jong wait in the cold.

But no one has yet been able to tell me tlie connection between the election day, November 6. with Alichaelmas Day, and the Goose.

STAINS OH THE NAILS Stains on the nails from nicotine or other causes can generally be removed by rubbing with a little lemon juice, and should there be stains beneath' them, soak the tips of the fingers in a mixture of warm water and cloudy ammonia, a few drops of the ammonia to a saucer of warm water. t This is a better plan than sarubhing with the. nail-brush, which is apt to widen the space between the finger and the nail, and make it liable to soil quickly.

WEDDING HOOK—M‘LEAN. A very pretty wedding took place at All Saints’' Church on the, evening of December 21, when Pena Ellison, daughter of Mrs H. S. and the late John E. M'Lean, of “ Loganview,” Dundas street, was married to James William, son of Mr and Mrs Charles Hook, of Macandrew’s Bay. The service was conducted by the Rev. Hardy Johnson, and Mr Lilly presided at the organ. - The bride looked very sweet as she entered the church on file arm of her cousin. Mr Alfred Tunnage, of St. Leonards. Her frock was of white net over ivory satin, the puffed sleeves and corsage being trimmed with pearls. A Wide niching round the hem of the full •skirt was caught here and there with tiny sprigs of real orange blossom, which flower was also used to hold in place a lace veil, which fell in graceful folds to forin a train. To complete her toilet she carried a spray'"of white roses.

• Tlie bridesmaid, Aliss Tui Knewstubb. looked charming in a graceful frock of primrose lace over primrose' satin and a picture hat of organdie to tone. She carried a boiinuet of,leilion roses and carnations with soft green tendrils to match her green shoes! The'best, man was Mr Bert Gordon . A reception was later held in the Strand Salon, where' Airs Af‘Lean, wearing a frock of black and white silk crepe and carrying a bouquet of red roses and carnations, received ;tlie gues f Airs Hook, mother of the' bridegroom, wore a floral s!!' frock with a coat and hat to tone, and carried a bouquet of roses and orange marigolds. Later tlie happy couple left for the southern lakes, tlie bride travelling in a navy blue and scarlet ensemble; with hat to match.