"ALIEN'S" LETTER FROM ENGLAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 2913, 12 January 1910, Page 79

"ALIEN'S" LETTER FROM ENGLAND.

A BUSY COURT.

_ November 26. , ■* vm g Manoel had a busy week-end, but no said he never had a happier one. He has not only been much impressed by his visit to .Windsor and London, but with boynsh spontaneousness ha has expressed his appreciation both of his welcome and the wonderful old castle where his father, among many kings, stayed as a visitor betore him. The suite allotted to the young Lang was a famous and beautiful one, commanding a lovely, typically English \iew r of the home (or castle) park and the ■Thames, with Eton College and a wide landscape. Within the walls of Windsor Castle are priceless treasures and historic memento®, which at all times are unobtrusively but efficiently guarded, and v/hen the King is in residence the guards are doubled, and no one can enter his presence without being known to the police. But it is when a foreign potentate is visiting that not only the palaces, but the public routes are most strictly guarded. The strain of duty is very revere, and it is with a sigh of relief that the chief of the police sees the safe departure of foreign royalties. Yet although every third plain-clothes man within a mile of the scene of a State function may be a detective, nothing of the guardianship is apparent, and the comings and goings of royal guests are to the uninitiated life as :’ee as yours and mine, even the guarded Themselves being unaware of*the rigour of rue guard.

Xot less than the splendid scenes of: the Chapter of the Garter, the magnificent royal and State banquets at the Guildhall, King Manuel has enjoyed the less formal royal gatherings, the shooting parties, and the command performances at Windsor. The weather- has been cold and windy, but dry, and it has been remarked; with what good health end zest King Edward has entered into the entertainment of his young guest. Out with the guns he has 'discarded his pony, and tramped quite long distances. Some of the Windsor ba-es have been considerable. The Prince of Wale's is credited with being one of the finest shots in England, and King Manoel is reported to have done well. The shooting parties have been honoured by the presence of her Majesty and other royal ladies for luncheon. On one shooting morning, when the two Kings started early in their motor car, which was followed by another bearing gentlemen of the English and Portuguese Courts, they nearly ran into the Scots Guards, whom they met at a turn of the road of High street (Windsor) as they were aoproaehing the castle to relieve guard. The Ivincs made a detour, the Guards saluted, and the band struck up the national Portuguese anthem. King Edward then went on to his farm, and showed his beloved fat cattle—seme of which have secured first and second prizes in the late show, —and later there was a little ceremony of tree-planting, King Manoel adding one to the "Monarchs' Clump" on top of Bromley Hill (.Windsor), where the first tree was planted in 1862 by Quesn Victoria in memory of the Prince Consort. Among other interesting additions to the group of saplings since planted was that of King Carlos, five years to the day before that added by his son. The last day of the shooting was on the Virginia Water preserves among the sylvan scenery, and the Queen and Princesses found the sportsmen at lunch in the Fishing Temple. The theatrical performances at the castle were great successes. Kini-z Edward was a great admirer of Sir Henry Irving. Never was a monarch more appreciative of the talents of his subjects —and for that matter of all talent, —and th-se command performances, whatever the anxiety they produce in the realm of the managers responsible, are rr.ore than worth ifc for the courtesy and warmth of welcome. Special trains convey the performing com- I pany to and from the castle. After the performance a supper is provided in banquet style, and the anplause and congratulations of the Royal House are worth striving for. for apart from the honour of performing before kings, it must be taken into account that the present King and Queen are great theatregoers, and is there any star on the operatic or theatrical stage the European world over that they have not applauded? H. B. Irving, who takes his father's famous double part in " The Lyons Mail" —the command performance of Friday last —is so strangely like Sir Henry at moments that those who knew the veteran actor are doubly thrilled.. And Sir Henry's great part in " The Bells" haunts the playgoers of to-day in his son's representation, In some scenes there is a marvellous lieness. But Sir Henry was the creator. And his Majesty remembers the old historic "first nights" at the Lyceum. i At the command performances recently, j which were brilliantly performed, the "audience" was large. The King ' and Queen;, the Queen of Norway, on right and left of King Manoel, and behind Princes and Princesses, and a large company of guests, all superbly dressed. A bank of | flowers divided the stage from the royal | stalls; red and gold chairs and flowers and jewels were everywhere. j Saturday was a busy day. Although there were no State functions, a visit to I the Victoria Barracks occupied a portion of , the morning; the afternoon's engagement! was King Manoel's visit to Eton College, which, it is said', he thoroughly enjoyed. | The Kings, host and guest, drove over in j 'a motor car, Queen Alexandra, Queen j Maud, Princess Victoria, find Prince Olaf | following in another. Canon Lyttelton ; and the vice-provost received the illustrious guests, the boys loudly cheering and forming a guard of honour. The upper and lower schools were both visited, also the ;

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Beaumont College, which stands amid the wooded reaches of the Thames. In this college are the Catholic Etons of good families from England, France, Spain, America, and Portugal. The young King shook hands with the boys, and was presented to notable ladies and gentlemen. The royal party watched the progress of a football match for some time, which greatly amused King Manoei. An Eton boy, son of a famous writer on economics, read the following original verses: Youth calls to youth as deep to deep Across the sounding waste of things That still with jealous care would keep In loneliness the hearts of kings. For youth.'with splendid self-esteem, O'erleaps the bars of rank and race; To us your kinghood does but seem A glory given your youth to grace. The boy beneath the King we see. And, boylike, give you of our bast, More glad than we may toll to be The hosts of such p royal guest. And where you knelt with us to-day Shall many a boy's prayer plead for you. That God may guide your amuous way And keep you ever brave and true. On Monday the state visit to Windsor came to an. end, and all the royal party left, King Manoei, King Edward, Queen Alexandra, Queen Maud, and the Princesses travelling together to London. On the platform King Manoei thanked the Mayor of Windsor for all that had been done for him, making a handsome presentation, also giving. £IOO for the Windsor poor. The two Kings drove from the London station in state to Buckingham Palace, with outriders in scarlet, making a spectacle for the people who lined the streets, the two Queens and Princesses following in anothei carriage behind. In the afternoon King Edward left for Sandringham on his way for Castle Rising, where he is visiting Lord and Lady Farquhar in Wales, his duties as State host for the time being over. Covert shoots have been arranged for several days, then his Majesty proceeds to Sandringham for Queen Alexandra's birthday festivities.

Meanwhile King Manoel is enjoying London*, shopping and theatre-going, paying calls of State, etc. On Tuesday he was Queen Alexandra's host at luncheon at the Portuguese Legation. The party was a. small one : Queen Alexandra, Princess Victoria, the Marquis de Several, Lord Granville. Lord Knollys, the Hon. Charlotte Knollys, M. Camara Manoel, Chancellor of the Legation., and several others. After the luncheon the. Queen was assisted to her carriage by King Manoel* She left for Sandringham, where she will quietly remain until after her birthday. When King Manoel decided to stay in London on a private visit, the Portuguese suite of rooms at Buckingham Palace was hurriedly prepared, and by workman working night and day all was in readiness. The young King has received many distinguished callers at the palace, and has entertained at the Portuguese Legation. One day during the week he gave a luncheon, party, at which he received the Duo d'Orleans and the Due de Mcntpensier, bis Majesty's uncles: thfl Marauis de Several, Lord Granville, General Swaine, Captain the Hon. Sevmour Forteseue, Count, Sabugcea, the Marauis de Fayal, th° Marquis Lavadrio. Viscount As?eea, Commander F. de S-erpa, Dr Mello Erevner. M. Camara. Manoel. M. Almeida Carvalho. and M. Baleilha Reis, Portuguese Consul-general. A reception followed, at which the Portuguese colony in London attended. And every night there has been a. theatre, the hastiivconstructcd royal box being- draped with the Portuguese blue and white.

Probablv one of the scenes that will be most deeply imm-essed upon the King of Portugal's rnind wss- the great scene in the House of Lords on Monday It was historic, as the momentous occasion on which the House of TxiHs met in its full strensth to debate the Budget and to decide whether or not it would be justified in rejecting it. Lord Landsdown moved the amendment—" That this Houoa is net justified in giving its conGent to this bill until it has been submitted to the judgment of the country." Long before half-past 4 on Monday, when the debate was to commence, the scene in the Hour© wps one which could take place nowhere eke in. the world. The scarlet benches were thronged with peers, while peeresses filled' the ara'lkries. Cabinet Ministers from the'House of Commons crowded the steps of the Throne, and distinguished stransers filled' the hall. The brother of King Edward, the Duke of Connaught, and the Russian Grand Duke Michael were amonnr the royalties listening intently to the debate between the political giants of the country, and among the most interested was the> young King Manoel, with several members 01 his suite. An eye-witness says:

The Chamber presented a picture impressive in it-self and doubly impressive hy reason of the pent-up feeling, the strife, the expectancy, the indignation hidden bsn-eath' the surface of the assembly. Peers, raany of them wearing their bats, shut out every glimpse of the scarlet benches, and the space- in front, of the throne was filled with a crowd of Privy Councillors and pons of pears. Mr .Tolm Burns was at the back of the crowd, keen to catch every word. Mr Churchill, near him, was wearing- a. half smile. My Birrell was looking very erinr. Thpre i 3, in effect, but one gallery in the House of Lords. At, a height of about thirtv feet it encircles the whole Chamber, providing room for a- narrow ring of spectators—though it broad&ns at the end of :he House most distant from, the throne for the accommodation of strangers. That narrow

ring of an audience was as intcre.stin.g- a 3 the gathering on the floor. A pleasant-faced youth in a frock coat sat between the Portuguese Minister .and Lord Granville. It was King Manosl. His interest was manifest, because from time to time he would turn for a word of explanation to the Minister, and then would lean forward so that he should loss no word of the debate proceeding below him. On each side of the young King the gallery was occupied by peeresses, so numerous that many, unable to find seats, stood in the doorways, quite content so long as they could get a glance at the scene. Among those seated were tho Duchess of Connaught, the Duchess of Somerset, Lady Ampthill, Lady Lytton, Lady Pirrie, and Lady Halifax. The line of peeresses was broken at one point by a group of diplomats, including Mr Whitelsw Reid, the American Ambassador, and several Japanese. All that brilliant ring of onlookers leaned forward over the rail with intensity on their faces. Occasionally one whispered to another, but there was the completeat silence when a dramatic moment came in a speech. They had a picture below them worth many a long journey to witness. A great crowd of famous men -was gathered there to take a course of action which will in time to come figure in our history books. The Duke of Connaught sat on the front cross-bench. Lord Rosebery. ex-Prime Minister, unable >at first to find a place, sat on the steps of the gangway. Smilingly refusing invitations by Lord Salisbury and the Duke of Marlborough to the Opposition benches, he later found a. seat on the cross-benches. On the woolsack sat the Lord Chancellor in wig and gown, his square, genial gace wearing an expression of unusual seriousness. Peers unable to find other seats shared the woolsack on each side. On the front benches facing each other across the table of the House were the leaders. Lord Lansdowne, keen of face, sitting bolt upright, exchanged a whispered word with his neighbour Lord Cawdor. On the other side Lord Crews sat with his hat tilted forward over his forehead, his arms folded, a riicture of silent resignation. Near the Liberal leader were Lord Wolverhampton, Lord Morley, Lordi Beauchamp, and Lord Pentland. Another royal visitor, in the person of Queen • Victoria. Eugenie of Spain, has arrived in. London, but on a private visit, her object being to see her brother, Prince Leopold, of Battenberg, who has been very ill in a, private nursing home in London. Her Majesty, who travelled incognita as the Duchess of Toledo, is staying with her mother, Princess Henry of Battenberg, at Kensington Palace. During the week the death and burial of Consuelo Duchess of Manchester has caused much sadness in royal circles. Queen Alexandra sent a? touching tribute ; attached to a beautiful wreath were the.se words in her own handwriting: In sorrowful memory of our dearest Consuelo, true and devoted friend, who, after much pain, both mentally ;anct physically, was taken to her eternal rest, reunited with the dear ones gone before she loved so well. Now comes peace. From Alexandra and Edward R. I.

Talking' of To-Day.

Nothing Is Actually Said.— Lost the art of talking undoubtedly is. We have only to listen to the odds and ends of a conversation at a dinner party, in a railway carriage, or at a neighbouring table in a restaurant to notice that though a great deal is actually talked, nothing lis actually said, and the old adage of diplomacy that " la panrole nous est donnee pour cacher la. pensee" may be applied in ite literal sense to the English-speaking nations. Yes! I will unhesitatingly include the Americans, for where we are too limited in our range of expression, they are too discursive, and they display an ingenuity in embroidering on the theme of commonplaces that in the end only produces wearisome prolixity, and the noble art of conversation docis certainly not consist in tiring out the header's oatienoe. In England, for instance, if anyone ie kind enough to ask us how we are, Ave

thing the inquirer wants to know, efitii we reply in a shamefaced manner, " Q*Ja' take it for granted that that is the .last well, thangs," with as little emphasis as possible, ae if it had been ru indiscreet question. The American, on the other hand, enters into a. long diatribe on the subject of his health, retailing every variation of his temperature and temperament during the day. Anyway, you can't get through—to borrow one of their own phrases—without a detailed statement of his sensations.

I well remember a foreign professor's wife, having formally asked, "comment ca va?" of one of her husbsnd's pupils, bursting 'nto a torrent of scathing comment because the young man had ventured to answer her question, in detail. " If I ask you how you are," she said to him, " I don't want to hear your symptoms, or to see your tongue! I only ask for the &ake of politeness !" An English satirist has said that politics and religion are never-failing topics of interest to ns. I think he should have added the weather, for even the shopwalker, with his unctuously studied indifferences of deference to his various classes of customers, ventures to intrude his opinion of the weather upon us unasked. —Gertrude Kingston, in the Chronicle.

To prevent flies from spoiling gilded frames, peel and cut up some onions, put them into a deep jar or jug, pour on them enough boiling water to quite cover them. Cover the top of the jar, and leave it to stand for a week, then ■strain and apply to the frames with a soft brush. This should be done twice o.r three times during the spring and summer.

Don't throw away your old mackintosh, it can be cut up for various useful purposes. Have a piece for baby's cot, another for an .apron under your flannel apron when you bathe baby. Odd pieces will make over-sleeves for same duty, and, after all that, you can still have a bathing cap. A too large cork will often fit a bottle well after it has been soaked in boiling water for a few minutes. If you soak old corks in paraffin they will make excellent firelighters, either for reviving a dying fire, or with a few sticks for kindling one in the first place. To cut hard jelly squares easily, use a perfectly clean pair of scissors, dipped in cold water. The jelly can be cut in much smaller pieces than when a knife is used.

| Sometimes candles are bought too large | for the candlestick, but can easily be made to fit if clipped into very hot water first which softens the wax. They can easily be pushed into a candlestick that I might be otherwise too small, and they ! will bs both neatly and firmly held. If instead of taking lace yokes and. ' cuffs out of dresse.s to wash when soiled, they axe rubbed with dry starch, then brushed thoroughly, the lace will look : like new.