ROYALTY’S ABSENCE.
FROM THOMAS HARDY’S FUNERAL.
Arnold Bennett assailed
LONDON, Jan. 18. Mr Arnold Bennett, the well-known author, finds himself roundly assailed in a sheaf of letters, published in the Daily Express, in which paper lie complained of the absence of Royalty from the Thomas Hardy ceremonial at Westminster Abbey. Mr Bennett returns to the attack, saying that it was indisputable that the arrangements were shockingly bad. With regard to Royalty, he says that he did not suggest that the King should be present. He realised that His Majesty, for various reasons, could not be there, and in any case such a suggestion from privato citizens was gravely out of place. “I merely permitted myself to express respectful regret at the absence of Royalty,” Mr Bennett adds. “I repeat that a military funeral of similar importance would not have lacked the presence of Royalty. Although I have received scores of abusive letters, I maintain my position, and in maintaining it I feel that I am supported by a large number of citizens.” The Daily Express editorially says: “The Royal Family is strong and secure enough in respect to the affections of the country to stand the criticism of a sincere and reputable man of letters in Mr Bennett’s position. But where Mr Bennett was wrong was in the assumption that the funeral of Thomas Hardy could properly be compared with that of a Field Marshal or an Admiral, who are in the direct pay of the State, and thus in the direct service of the King. Thomas Hardy was in an entirely different position. It would be an intolerable burden on the King and Royal Family/ as well as a misconstruction of their functions, to expect their presence at every public funeral to witness the grief of the relatives of one who was not known to them in a personal or an official capacity.”—A. and N.Z. cable.
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Bibliographic details
Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 45, 20 January 1928, Page 7
Word Count
317ROYALTY’S ABSENCE. Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 45, 20 January 1928, Page 7
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