QUEEN'S SUPRISE VISIT TO A HOSPITAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13485, 11 May 1907, Page 2 (Supplement)

QUEEN'S SUPRISE VISIT TO A HOSPITAL.

TOUCHING SCENES. The visit to the London Hospital on. March Bth of the Queen and her 'sister, the Dowager Empress of Russiawhich, by-the-way, was of a quite unexpected character, consequent upon a change in the Royal programmeafforded delight i alike to the representatives of the highest Courts of Europe and to the humble inmates of the noble institution of which Queen , Alexandra \ is patroness. . .. • , ' , ■ The arrival of *. the Queen and her ; sister within the quadrangle was the signal for a vigorous outburst of hearty cheers, in which a large number :of -students, nurses, . and patients, who had perched themselves Von the balconies, joined. ;;- \ Their Majesties' visit to the "Queen" warda ; memorial to the late . Queen Victoria, and utilised solely i for children— marked by several pretty incidents of a touching character. <• The '■ august-visitors, who were ;in •' the brightest spirits, chatted kindly with each little occupant of the cots which were arranged neatly round the walls, and the merry light in the eyes of the juveniles reflected.fcbe great joy-»th'ey felt'at, the generous .attention which was bestowed upon them. . •■ • : ; . ,■ .- • ; Ail of . them were greatly cheered by words of sympathy and encouragement,j by gentle caresses; and by kindly greetings. In response they chatted away with all the ardour of childish glee and irresponsibility. The ward contained' but one cradle, in which .reclined the tiny form? of a fourweeks infant. This little mite had already gone through two operations, but had made such a rapid recovery that she will shortly be discharged. Much of the Royal' sympathy was given here-c;v ;;..■' ■?;■. ■.-■" : '^.- • ■.; Elsewhere a gay little spirit from Norfilk, who ~no doubt felt he had a special : claim j for a. mark/-'of Royal favour, Opened his j large eyes in wonderment, for lie had never I seen the Queen. „ „ '< i

" Near by, a pretty, little girl: of five sum-' mits waited with, much expectancy for her share of the attention. ; Her chief concern j had been that after her operation she would not v " come - round" in time to 'see " the Tween." Her childish delight almost overcame her as she found that this . pleasureJ was not to be denied; and with great glee she handed a bunch of violets to "the Tween," who gracefully ; accepted her little offering.'. .*■ " ■■■'■';,..■ - ' • r j Of a contrary disposition was a lad of! Bethnal Green. Freddy Daniels, with a j precocious turn of business, espying a large cluster of fresh violets on Her Majesty's breast, immediately asked for and obtained them. A favourite nurse kissed him ten- 1 derly, and by a magical influence the Royal gift became hers. The infants prattled to 5 the Queen, ■'and insisted on showing Her Majesty their .wonderful toys, .in which the greatest interest was taken. Rabbits and wee piggies, dolls, and what-not were examinedby the Royal visitors , with a pleasure which gave : the little ones unbounded ■ joy. To show their delight at the favours they; received, the children, enthusiastically threw kisses in the orthodox juvenile style, to which the Queen and her sister responded in the same ; manner.

Having expressed complete satisfaction with the arrangements, their Majesties partook of light 'lunch in! the committee room. Shortly afterwards they visited the new out-patients' department in Turner-street, and also the department for the treatment of lupus, to which Queen Alexandra gave the first Finsen lamp. \ : -■'■'•.'