COLONIALS AT HOME.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXVI, Issue 7927, 2 August 1886, Page 4

COLONIALS AT HOME.

SOME PRETTY SPECIMENS. [from oub own correspondent.] [By Telegraph.] (Per s.s. Rotomahana, via the Bluff.) The London correspondent of the JSt'r—mingham Daily Mail says s —There are somecurious stories afloat in London about the behaviour of Colonials who, on the responsibility of the Reception Committee of the Indian and Exhibitioni are allowed to invitations which the aristocracy an<K.the polite worldare generally showering-...down uponthem. Some of these are humorous, and othei s the reverse; for instance, it is a good story told on the authority of Lord Charles Beresford, that when he gave a Saturdajr to Monday invitation to a Colonial visitor that gentleman accepted the same, and came down by train with his luggage wrapped in a checked pocket handkerchief. This iB the sort of thing which the noble member for Marylebone would greatly enjoy, and which he wauld delight to tell to all his friends. The behaviour, however, of some amongst the hundred and fifty Colonials who were recently entertained bv Sir Thomas and Lady Brassey at Normanhurßt Castle, near Hastings, was not so harmless. In fact, some of these people seem to have conducted themselves in a manner calculated to bring the gnatest discredit on the Colonial world in gtneral. Sir Thomas Brassey personally took hm> visitors in parties over hi 3 / house, and showing them' the curiosities and picture gallery, for which Normanhurst is famous, but he must have found his , patience sorely tried by the questions which were rudely pressed upon aim as to how much this picture cost, and what was the value of that, and other' articles of value. Some of the guests, too, becamederidedly hilarious before ltncheon was served, and this fact may perhaps be charitably regarded as accounting for the eccentricities in which they indulged. After those of the visitors who cared to Bee the house had done 80,'theystrolled about in the garden until luncieon was ready. The keen sea air had dovbtless sharpened* their appetite, and luncleon was not prepared as rapidly as they could have wished, so some of the bolder spirits determined to give a broad hint of their impttience. By somemeans or other, they jot hold of a ladder, which they reared up against the side of the house, climbed »p, pressed their faces againßt the windows of the rooms in which*-.

was being laid, and encouraged thefootmen and others to more active exertions. Sir Thomas gave his visitors a magnificent luncheon, but it operated very unfavourably upon their animal spirits. Of the less well-mannered amongst them, one individual, a member of a learned profession, actually so far forgot himself as to dance a jig on Sir Thomas Brassey's billiard table. Of course, the more respectable portion of the guests were horrified at the disgrace inflicted on themselves by the vulgarity of their fellow Colonists, and ' many of them have vowed never again to attend any entertainment got up for the benefit of our Colonial guests.