"ALIEN'S" LETTER FROM ENGLAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 2985, 31 May 1911, Page 75

"ALIEN'S" LETTER FROM ENGLAND.

IN ANTICIPATION

April 13.

Sunshine at Lost! Only these who have experienced months of gloom and cold, •which have been added the unseasonably "galea and blizzards of the last few weeks, can understand what it means. There is the first holiday feeling in the air, with which this Easter has been anticipated, and the outlook, with a promise of warmer weather, which will enable thousands to get away for a few days on the Continent or to the seaside, is hailed gladly. The railways and the tourist departments report that there is a prospect ox an unusually large exodus from London, and 'also a very large influx of visitors. That one day of fair weather could make so great a change in the general aspect of things, those who live in London can appreciate. Everyone was out and about with the keenest appreciation, th-i blizzards of a week ago were forgotten, and the call to the open resulted in thousands, who a few days ago declared that there was no place like the fireside for Easter, rushing off to make arrangements for a glimpse of the sea, and a breath of the open country, and the renewed song of the birds. There is, of course, very little going on in town this week. The Court go to Windsor for the Easter holidays, where it should be lovely if the weather continues fine. There King George will enjoy the only partial relaxation from, his multitudinous" duties that will be possible this vear, and his Majesty, weather permitting, will continue his morning riding in the Great Park. It is expected tha«i the Queen will also be much in the open air, .and will drive to heT favourite places in the vicinity, among which is Virginra Water. Both their Majesties are fonder of Windsor than was King Edward or Queen Alexandra, and the Royal borough hail with delight the prospect of the Court being more often in residence at the historic old castle than has been the custom of late years. The magnificent nurseries are now' complete, and anions the most perfect in the world, with a lovely view fi-om the windows of their tower. It is long since Windsor Castle or Buckingham Palace held a nursery, or the sound oE young voices and feet was heard within the walls, and the fact that there are six children now members of the King's household is of interest to mother throughout the Empire. The five beys, headed by the Prince of Wales, are mainly genuine "types of the English boy, and Princess Mary, their sister, is a charming girl. The eldest boy was bom on June 23. 1894. Prince John is the baby, born July 12, 1905. In a series of papers appearing in the Girl's Own Paper, entitled "Tne Life Story of Queen Mary," by Jeanie Rose Brewer, some very interesting facts are given about the Royal children. It is well known that the Queen enters thoroughly into the interests of her family, she herself being the companion of their pursuits and pleasures. She has encouraged them in their lessons and in thoir sports. The boys are drilled by an old Scottish piper, and .taught to carry themselves well. Even little Prince John takes part in the daily drill. They are dressed simply, and their feed is plain—the sori of nourishing diet that children need; and the wisdom of their training is manifest in simple, unspoilt children, who love an outing with their father and mother as heartily as do children of less exalted station, for they are spontaneous and young instead of blase, as are so many' children of the rich. _ Prince Henry showed signs of some delicacy, but his health has greatly improved since he was sent to schcol at Broadstairs. Prince Albert, the second son, is following the Prince of Wales at Osborne and Dartmouth, and is extremely fond of sport. Now that the Prince of Wales has finished bis course of naval training, he will take a rest till after Easter. Just now he is studying Welsh, for his speech in to be made in that tongue on the occasion of his investiture at Carnarvon. Later tba Prince is to go through an army course, then to one of the univerrixl.Ss —it is thought most probably to Oxford. There is plenty of hard work ahead for him. It ifi said that the younger Court will affect dress as well as manners. Especially will the King';; dress influence that of men. and the fact that he appears in a hacd bowler hat and morning suit on every possible occasion will greatly decre-W the popularity of the silk hat and frock coat, which King Edward almost invariably wore. Holy week has caured the .cessation of gaieties of most kinds, and society will enjoy a rest from what has been an exceptionally fnll ante-Easter season, which has greatly made ur> to the debutantes of last year for months of mourning and gloom, for the months since Christmas have been crowded with dances for young people. The coming great season really commences after °the Easter holidays. The Courts have been announced for May 9, 10. 24, and 25, and from that time on London will be an ever-changing scene of gaiety till after August. There was some speculation in various places as to whether the old custom of Queen Victoria's time of holding the Courts in the afternoon would be reverted to, but this is not to be to the pleasure of most concerned, for the dress of these functions lends itself to the evening, and the lights shining on the jewels of the ladies and slowing on the orders and uniforms of The men adds greatly to the brilliance of the scene. Besides which, night seems the more appropriate time for assemblages of this description. The preparations for the Coronation go on apace. Six thousand workmen are busy at the Crystal Palace building, painting and transforming the grounds into

(Specially Written for tho Witness Ladies' Pago.)

an illusion which the Festival of Empire will present of lands overseas. The dominions will be linked by a scenic railway—the biggest panoramic railway of its kind ever attempted. It is called an “all red” route, and is costing £90,000. Fortyeight miles of painted scenery on either side will give the stay-at-homes some idea of other countries. Ninety scenic artists are working on the immense canvas. Tire vegetation of each country is to be reproduced, and modellers, as well as painters, are busy giving the touch of realism. Lions and tigers, sheep, elephants, horses, birds, and fish will add to the realism. To-morrow, Good Friday, in the afternoon, - Sir Charles Santley, better known as Santley, will bid farewell to the public after 54 years of singing. The greatest of English baritones has chosen for his farewell sons “ There is a green hill” and “Honour and arms.” Santley is 77 years old, and sang for the first time at the Crystal Palace 54 years ago, in the autumn of 1857. Innumerable times Santley has sung there since; he says that he dees net think he has missed a Handel Festival since 1862. The grand opera commences at Covent Garden on the 22nd of this month, and is to last until the end of July. Madame Melba is once again to figure in her famous roles. The forthcoming opera season promises to be a record season. Costume balls will be memorable this year. In connection with the great Shakespeare ball at the Albert Hall, drama and law will be represented in Shakespearean “1 .rovers.” Lords and ladies of title will take part in the “Lovers” quadrille which Lady Tree is organising. On May 1 the Royal Academy opens, and artistic society for some days previous will be engaged with private views and the entertainments of artists. Women Travel Chaperons. Though I only arrived from Bermuda this morning, I am leaving for Mexico tomorrow,” said a woman who makes a business of chaperoning parties of women and girls while travelling, to a New iork paper. “Ten year’s ago when I was looking around for a means of earning a living a friend asked me to go abroad with her. “A& I was called on to buy tickets and aittend to the shipping of the baggage as well as to pay hotel bills and manage all other details, I learned a lot in those five months. Besides the experience of travel I managed to pick up enough F renoh and German to make mvself understood.

"When women came to me askin? for advice about becoming a travelling chaperon I invariably tell them knowing the language of the country visited is more important than knowing the country itself. If you know the language the ruide books and the inhabitants will tell you what is to be seen.

"For a competent woman who is fond of travel I know of no other business that pays as well or gives a? much genuine , pleasure. Though I have had offers from ' railroads and steamships I prefer to select Imy own routes and parties. Of course, j when I started out I had to take any J one I could got and go where my clients | wanted to go. After a travel chaperon ; gets a reputation she its generally able to ! fill all her time with agreeable parties. j "She is also able to charge a stated ' sum for her services regardless of the j countries visited, or the number in the \ party. My charges are ban:d on what I ! would receive if I always chaperoned seven persons. Eight, seven besides yourself, is a comfortable party for travel. "Besides actual knowledge of the language and customs of the countries visited, the detaials of travel and all that, a woman should have tact and must be able to a limited extent at least to organise and to lead. Within the last i five years I have started three college ! women in the business. They all took j their first trip with mo and showed the j .qualities which experience has taught me j are absolutely necessary for a woman to j have if she wishes to chaperon travellers. "When they decided to take up the j work and nsked for my advice I told them to begin with the languages of the I cour>ijr.ie«< most visited. I adwed each to live in the country while learning the '. language. One of them realised the ad- ; vantage of this method to such »** extent , that now. she makes a specialty of chaperoning girls who wish to learn foreign languages.

"She had two young girls under her en re for two years. Thev managed to cee all the larger find most interesting r>laoes in Europe, and the two girls mastered five languages, one of them Russian. The chaperon any difficulty in learning to read and fn>eak a language within three months. though thev had both failed to learn more than a smattering of French after studying it four years in a high class American school. "Ar.otVr of the mrls I Fitorted! is makinc a- snecinltv of taking parties to Aeiiati p countries, hut the largest opening- as T fee it k in the fsf>W of general 'travel. If a woman is fitted bv terrmerament for t.l-.e wm'V. and makes herself rrap™+ nn f, *he will not have much trouble filling l her two and earning a comfortable income."