A Jubilee Show.

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume X, Issue 192, 11 August 1887, Page 2

A Jubilee Show.

Tiie very name of the “Jubilee” must by this time he sickening to New Zealand people, but there are still a few peculiarities connected with it which are worthy of record. The “divine service” in Westminster Abbey seems to have boon a theatrical show in every sense of the word. There was an overture played by a brass hand, and in the intervals of prayer and praise the aristocratic audience freely passed round flasks of liquor and sandwiches. There do not appear to have been any ginger beer, nuts, or oranges, a fact accounted for by there being no “ gods in the gallerv.” Not only was the Queen cheered when she entered the sacred building—an Abbey rich with historical associations, and honored by the dust of great men whoso names, deeds, and writings will live when 1! tiie Kings and Queens of Eng- ] tad are forgotten —but we arc told th.tt the irreverent congregation chi .ir’-.ed the Marquis of Salisbury, in orb r to lie perfect! vimpartial towards those star actors, gave Mr irbeDtow Iris share of applause also. At the end of the service—or performance, whichever one likes to call it —Her Majesty threw off tin.* dignity of office and became an ordiaarv woman for a few moments. “ When the benediction had been said the Queen’s sons knelt before

her and kissed her hand. They arose, and Her Majesty kissed each upon his cheek. The Princesses next advanced to the Queen and kissed her hand, and she kissed them all, favoring some twice. ( ’ The worst part of all this Westminster mummery is that, although it was a show got up for the benefit or a privileged few, and although thousands of Londoners within a stone’s throw of the Abbey are on the verge of starvation, the cost is said to exceed £IO,OOO.