"ALIEN'S" LETTER FROM ENGLAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 2734, 8 August 1906, Page 66

"ALIEN'S" LETTER FROM ENGLAND.

(Specially writt«» for th c Witness Ladies' Page.)

A GAY WEEK. One of the most interesting events of

London's social week has been the arrival of Mr Roosevelt's daughter, "Princess Alice," as the Americans fondly call her, the bride who so short a time ago interested all America, and whose wedding only interested less in England than that of Princess Ena. « , Mr and Mrs Longworth enjoy«d their trip on the St. Louis, but the distinguished bride, who was naturally an object of interest to all on board, took every opportunity of rest and seclusion that her state rooms afforded, and appeared in the saloon only for luncheon ana dinner, seated at a side table- with her husband. It is said that her compatriots on board were disappointed at b.er reserve ; but she was. doubtless saving herself for .the excitmtnts' of her first visit to England, to which she Bad looked forward with much jrteasnf*. It" was. a glorious June day- when 'tile St. Louis put into Southampton—that quiet, . smiling harbour • among the - Hampshire hills and pine forests that gives "litti& indication: of XondonC and H« teeming life. When the bqat came in the President's daughter stood on the deck chatting gaily with •her friend.s — a bright-faced young woman with* /eager eyes, charmingly dressed in , a travelling costume of black-and-white check, and a picture hat of black-and-white, witn a string of beautiful pearls round her neck. There was ai semi-public

welcome at the port, and another when the visitors arrived at Waterloo, where they were met by the American Ambassador and Mrs Whitelaw Reid, the First Secretary to tue Embassy, Mr J. Ridgely Carter, and Mrs Carter, the military attache, and others. Affcer the introductions Mr and Airs Longworth were driven to Dorchester House, the- beautiful residence in Park lane of the American Ambassador and Mrs ' t^hitelaw Reid, whose ,guests they are to be. In the glorious sunshine London looked its best, with, its busy traffic, and there was' welcome here and there as the car-

riage passed, and from the balcony of the Ambassador's house Mrs Longworth had her first look at Hyde Park at its mostfashionable time. Very soon a splendid electno car drove up, and Mrs Longworth, with her hostess and Miss Reid, drove

through the park, then off to Piccadilly and Oxford street and ..est End streets, the President's daup.iter showing as jnucli interest in London as ncr compatriots

from across the water, a great number of whom ar«'here just now. It is easy to imagine the excitement among the American visitors at the fact that- th«ir "Prin-

cess Alice" was among them. When she drove through the park she was obviously interested, as were the fashionable crowd there, or that part of it aware of her presence. Perhaps it appealed to her, as to most strangers, with its after-four-o'clock spectacle of wealth and colour, fashion and culture, rolling in a ceaseless double procession along the Row, between the double line of seated spectators* and participants in the <jay scene, from Marble Arch to Hyde Park' corner. And beyoncl and around this Row, which has been compared in picturesqueness to the Vienna "Prater" and the "Buen-Retiro" of Madrid, there are endless stretches, vast, irregular, wooded with England's magnificent trees, pastoral sweeps of green for grazing sheep, its cool, deep, wide sweeDing streams, and its revelation on revelation of silent groves, and forest walks, and heath in the very heart of a inig-ov metropolis. But one does not see Hyde Park's wooded recesses, streatas, ! and lake at a first glance on a summer afternoon. The introduction to the Row ' suffices. One never forgets that first . drive, ' especially if one passes within I touching distance of a laav who from girlhood has embodied all one's ideals of ; what a princess should be. To me it was j an electric moment when I met those •

lovely, sad, blue eves. And the moment "was only matched when Alexandra was Queen, and a black-edged letter reached me from San^rin wham announcing that she had *e**"*r€ my book, *' Another TVojnanV Territory." But this has nothing whatever to do with the American President's daughter,, who on the first night in London visited, with her husband, the Alhambra, where she was neartily greeted on this first public apEearance by an audience who made known er welcome to England. The nest night the American "Princess" met England's King at dinner — asituation that the most advanced _dreams . of "The Pilgrim Fathers" had never conceived in all their dreams of advancement. America entertained England in London at Dorohpstor House, w'lon the King honoured the American Ambassador and Mrs V\ hitelaw Reid with his presence at dinner. The- Loid-in-Waiting and the Equerry were in attendance upon his Majesty. The house in Park lane was beautiful

■within and without. Its windows and balconies overlook Hyde Park, which at hour was mysterious and. dim, its lamps gleaming among the trees. The interior of Dorchester Houpo was a bower of flowers. Roses were clustered on the staircase, in the reception rooms, and everywhere in honour of the illustrious guest, and of the other distinguished company. And "the man in the street," from , 'Arry upwards, appreciated the occasion and, as near as the oolice would admit, looked on. But Park lane is only a broad lane in dimensions, the railings of Hyde j Park on one side and the palatial man- ( sions on the other, among which is that white palace which Barney Barnato, the South African millionaire, * built, but did not occupy. The American Ambassador and Mrs Whitelaw Eeid received the King at the door of Dorchester House. His Majesty took his hostess into dinner, and at his ,

particular request Mrs Longworth, the American "iTincess Alice," was seated on the other side. A brilliant company were assembled of dukes and duchesses, English and French admirals, members >of the British Embassy of the United States ; Mr and Chamberlain were among the long list of distinguished people. After dinner all the other members of the American JKimbassy were received by the King, and at the reception after the dinner another long list of dukes and duchesses, lords and ladies arrived. It was a most brilliant reception, a semiroyal function which did honour both to England and America.

The Ellen Terry jubilee, concerned Londoners much more vitally than royalty and State functions. To give you a vivid idea of the enthusiasm wbieh led people not only to an all-night sitting, but to a 30bours' wait, before the programme- began, would be -to represent a world within a London world of which the antipodes has bat a • faint conception. It was one of those occasions on which the public wished to show its appreciation of genius, and"to thank a. life-long caterer to its intellectual enjoyment. And in* great measure this demonstration linked, consciously or unconsciously, with the memory of Sir Henry Irving. Great as Ellen Terry is, disconnected from Irving, the world has not always known her, and the thousands of enthusiasts who flocked to the theatre had thousands among them who had worshipped at the Irving-Terry shrine, and men and women who wept at the great tragedian's death came to support, his artistic colleague. Thousands were not able to find places in the theatre, but all gcod wishes went with those who had waited in the street from 12 to 30 hours to say "God speed" to a great actress. Although Ellen Tesrry doss not now actually retire from the stage, this in reality will be her last great appearance — one cannot have an artistic jubilee twice over. And now that her patient ldmirers have rested from their vigils they will never cease to rejoice that they were present at the greatest dramatic event of the time." One old lady took up her station on a camp stool outside the gallery dcor at 6 o'clock the previous morning, and as the day wore on others joined at the pit and gallery doors, until the sight in Vinegar yard and Russell 6treet could be matched nowhere in the world — men and women, old and young, camping in the streets, waiting goodhumouredly for a next day's opportunity of doing honour to a favourite star. By 5 o'clock in the evening there were nearly 100 people waiting to spend the night in the street, and by 10 o'clock at uigbt several hundreds, preparing to make themselves as comfortable as possible with the oamp stcols that were hired to them by hawkers, who, with the smartness of the London hawkers, were prepared to turn an honest penny on the occasion, and with these and the rugs with, which the people had provided themselves, they made themselves as comfortable as circumstances would admit with the ready optimism of the Londoner at play. The sight attracted crowds of peopk, but there was perfect order, although those waiting came in for some witty chaff. Fortunately, the night was fine, but one cannot help speculating wbejther they would have stayed there all the same had it rained. Long past midnight people still walked round thu theatre to see the extraordinary sight of the camp. Some of the younger people were fast asleep, but the old lady sat quietly wakefu). About 4 o*clock in the morning Mr Arthur Collins went to see I^he camp outside his theatre, and made arrangements with a shop close by to provide tea and coffee and cake. At 10 o'clock the doors opened to admit the waiting crowd, and it says something for the stamina of Londoners that for the next eight hours they remained and had energy to cheer every item. The early comers had their reward, for it was a memorable sight to watch the great house fill until tier after tier and, stall after stall represented all the most distinguished of London's rank and fashion and beauty, combined with wealth. Many were recognised as they took their seats. It goes without saying that there were a number of American visitors among the crowd, and many distinguished foreigners. The better portions of the house were beautifully dressed, but the ladies who wore their silk and lace and jewels, and whose seats cost fabulous sums, did not honour Miss Terry more than the pale-faced women dnd girls in pit and gallery, whose toilet had become somewhat tumbled in camp.

" Trial by Jury ** was the first item of importance,* and apart from other interests was that of picking out the dramatic authors in lhe jurymen. Some were recognised from their portraits. The ''School for Scandal,' with an all-star part, fol-^ lowed, a magnificent series of tableaux arranged by academicians As these living pictures were composed of famous players, and were, apart from that interesting fact, extremely beautiful and representative of famous pictures, the triple interest deliglitod the audience, which did not leave an item uncheered. The enthusiasm grew and grew, till ''Much Ado," with Miss Terry as B-eatrice, and almost every member of her clevtr family taking part, caused roar and roar of applause, and so at last tlie climax of the day was reached when the reception ceremony was at hand. The great audknee was hushed when Lady Bancroft etood all alone before the tableau curtain. Speaking in slow and distinct tones, so that the whole house might hear, she said that it was her happy duty to welcome the audience to the jubilee of Ellen Terry, that it was a happy occasion, because she vras not going to leave her public, although she had spent 50 years iv hard work and in defying Time. "Ellen Iwry has basked in the sunshine of your '

affections for 50 years. Now she is going to appear before you."

The curtain then went up, and Ellen Terry, truly in defiance of Time, looked beautiful in classical white draperies surrounded by many beautiful women and distinguished men, including almost all those of note of the English theatre. When the roar of greeting had subsided, and Miss Irene Vanbrugh had handed Ellen Terry a basket of exquisite flowers, Lady Bancioft addressed her: "My dear Ellen Terry — or may I on this occasion call you "Sweet Nell of Old Drury'?" — and expressed the pleasure of her friends in celebrating her jubilee. After Ellen Terry's address to the people, which greatly moved them, and the great programme was ended. Mr Arthur Collins announced that £6000 had been realised.

Another great social event of the week wo? the marriage at St. George's, Hanover square, of Lady Mary Hamilton to Lord Graham, 'heir to one of the great Scottish dukedoms. The bride is one of the richest heiresses of the day, t)he only child of ttie late Duke of Hamilton ; she is said to own practically the whole of the Isle of Arran, and that magnificent seat Easton Park, in Suffolk. Lord Graham ,is a favourite in tha navy, and it was he who in th* great Scottish review held last year by the King in Edinburgh was in charge of the Naval Brigade. The greatest interest has been taken, in the marriage throughout the kingdom. The future Duke of Montrose and his bride are a young and handsome oouple, and both are greatly endeared to their Scottish tenantry. Lady Mary became immensely popular during her late electintfieering campaign on behalf of her future husband. London was. early astir, fo' the wedding, to suit the King's engagements, and ensure his presence, was to b3 held at 2.5, and the* police declared they had never seen anything like it short of a royal wedding. There was a crowd of at least 15,000 congregated about the church, many of whom were ladies, and the stalwart, smiling police had to use gentle v firmness to keep the approaches clear. George street was literally packed from Pitt's statue in Hanover square to Conduit street, and when the King passed in a closed carriage the cheer was not greater than greeted the bride from the mass of people. Long before 2 the-church was crowded, every seat being numbered, the invited guests being admitted only by the corresponding number. There were some of the most exquisite costumes worn that have appeared! this season, and what with the decorations and the dresses of the ladies, the beautiful old church made a fitting setting for the bride, who looked lovely in her bridal dress of ivory 6atin and Brussels lace, the beautiful Brussels lace veil being fastened with a wreath of orange blossoms, and she wore two superb rows of diamonds round her throat. Her mother, Mary Duchess of Hamilton, who with the uride had been staying with the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire at House during the week, took her daughter to the church and gave her away, and, with the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, sat in the church with the King. The bridesmaids, eight in number, awaited the bride in the porch, and made an exceedingly charming picture in their white chiffon gowns, with bouquets of pink rosebuds and rosebuds in their hair. I append their names: — Lady Mary Acheson and Lady Theo Acheson, her first cousins ; jL<ady Helen Graham, sister of the bridegroom ; Lady Helen Grimston, his cousin ; \liss Brocklehurst, Miss Marjorie Graham, and Miss Lister-Kaye, daughter of Lady Beatrice Lister-Kaye ; and little Miss Victoria Stanley, the daughter of Lady Alice Stanley.

Af. the conclusion of the ceremony, when the bridal pair appeared, the air was rent v/ith cheers. Hats and handkerchiefs were waved, and, despite the police, the carriage of the bride and bridegroom was mobbed, and thousands surged forward until the officers forced their way through and formed a cordon and released the carriage, which was followed with cheer on cheer.

Devonshire House was also a point of attraction all day. A «reat reception was held therein after the wedding. Here is a description of the wedding cake and the wedding rjresents : —

It was in the Adams' style, and rose from repeated plinths to a height of about sft The base was hexagonaJ, with medallions portraying Cupids holding sloving-cups. Surmounting this was a tripod of classic form, with torches and swags empanelled. Above this ro?e a vase in character, crowned with a bouquet of roses and white orchids, with trailing ribbona to dancing Cupida on each corner of the tnDod.

The bridegroom ha^ given his bride a magnificent diamond tiara, and her mother's gift is several rows of very fine pearls. The Duchess is herself the owner of some of the finest black pearls in England.

The King's present to Lady Mary is a very daJntv conceit in the newest form of jewellery, and quite French in style. It is a narrow band of black velvet, upon which are placed diamond slides, the centre being m the form of a Louis XVI <vreath with a hanging diamond in the middle, of it To make this necklace flexible, slides are placed at frequent intervals round tha whole piece of velvet. which is edged with a narrow row of diamonds.

The Duke and Duchess of Montrose have given their futuie daughter-in-law a. necklace of turquoises and diamonds. The Queen of Spain has tent a very handsome porcelain vase ; Consuelo Duchess of Manchester's present is one of the present fashionable white parasols with an enamelled handle which is jewelled all over. The Duke of Manchester has presented his cousin with a necklace something after the style of that given by the King. The Duke and Duchess of Hamilton hare given soau? "beautifully-bound books, and Lord and Lady Rothschild, who invariably send beautiful gifts as pre.=«nts, have giv«n her an enamelled parasol handle studded with diamonds.

The day remained fine, though cold, and the beautiful grounds- of Devonshire House were spy with the toilets of fashionable women, and sightseers lingered till the bride appeared in her beautiful goingaway dress and the happy pair started for their honeymoon at Easten Park.