"ALIEN'S LETTER FROM ENGLAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 3673, 5 August 1924, Page 61

"ALIEN'S LETTER FROM ENGLAND.

(SpecLvUy Written for the Lacies’ Page.) WITH THE OVERSEAS VISITORS. June 15. A cartoon in the Daily Mail depicts John Bull, in an attitude of depression, sitting in a flood with the water to his knees under an umbrella from which the rain pours, reading from a magazine entitled “Flaming June’’ to an audience of our visitors, extinguished under umbrellas, a fairy tale which begins "Once upon a time there was a summer.” But our overseas visitors are doubtful, and it grows more and still more embarrassing to explain June to the astounded first-time visitors, who came under the impression that June was a month of sunshine and roses. So far there have been only a few days on which we have seen the sun or felt its warmth, and rarely has the twenty-four hours passed without a deluge lasting for hours. It has spoilt much of the pageantry and enjoyment of the out-of-doors season. Every day has its fixtures, of which there can be no postponement, as the morrow is equally full, so it is just chance as far as favourable weather is concerned. The Queen cancelled her visit to Wembley on Friday, which was a wet, cold, Novemberlike day, with a temperature little over 5C —a drop of 2Qdeg from some of the days in May. The meteorologists who keep the rain records only give it in inches, but the people who are out of doors sop it up in bucketfuls and wade through it over boot tops, and with rain trickling down their collars and damping their cuffs they think with bitterness and derision of the British poets who thrilled them with anticipatory delight of England’s spring and summer. Our visitors have scarcely seen the moon that rhymes with June; the “stilly nights” have crashed with thunder frights, and the “flowery way” of May did not stay. The weather reporters are getting angry and abusive. “ Bedraggled June, we read. “A slut with torn and muddied garments.” “Miserable June!” “Wretched June!’’ The modern Daily Mail poet says : Our Wonderful Climate. He bad come from the Empire's farthest rim (If empires have rims), and we talked together Of the things that most strongly appealed to him, Till we happened by chance on our English weather. I hung mv head with a blush of shame. But be said, “Your sunshine and rain and thunder Are a bit of a mix-up, but all the same x I think it's a perfect wonder. “Why, vou can’t be dull when you never can ' tell If you’re in for a dose of sunshine plowing In tropical style or a real cold spell. When you wake in the morning to find it snowing. Variety—that’s what we always lack With a drv and a rainy season only. I wish I could take your climate hack; It would keep me from feeling lonelv.” I drove the spurs in my flagging pride. “I’m glad that oun visitors don’t upbraid us. If we are a wonderful folk,” I cried, “We are just what our English climate made us. B'izzard and thunderstorm, rain and drought, We never know what will be next arriving. You have seen the process that tries us out And leaves the fittest surviving!” Touchstone. A cloudburst over the Thames the other day heralded the terrific storm bv a terrifying clap of thunder and vivid lightning. Maidenhead houses and shops were flooded in some cases to the depth of 6ft. In turn the whole country eets swamped at intervals. If it is fine where one happens to be and the local sky clear, by the distant muttering of thunder in the black banks of cloud further off one knows that other places are being swamped. In one day Lancashire, Cheshire, Yorkshire. Manchester, and other counties came under visitation : at night the south-east counties “got it.” Under these conditions the great cricket season is swamped, and grumbles come from the public schoolboys—among whom are cricketers of the future—that so far this season they have not been able to play more than once or twice.

But it is hopeful to remember that nearly always in the middle of June v, e have a break in the weather. The midsummer change is sometimes from heat to rain and sometimes from chill and rain to heat. Many have forgotten the long drought of 1921, and how we sat panting at open airless windows praying for rain, and how when at length t came people danced to the music of its pattering in the streets. And the pessimists who are grumbling now at the rain may be grumbling at the end of July for the lack of it. Meteorology is still only in its infancy, and leaves the world wondering at the far-reaching weather vagaries of this year. “It is a mysterious fact, 1 -’ says one, “that while the North of Europe generally in recent years seems to have suffered from an excess of rain, Northern Africa gives distinct signs of drying up. The zone of desert is advancing southward, and such a well-known object on the maps as Lake Chad is perceptibly drying up. Again, the enormous mass of ice about the South

Pole is known to be diminishing, and the ice barrier is retreating south.” The Richmond Royal Horse Show in the pld Deer Park provided three days’ interest for horse-lovers, among whom were many overseas visitors, and was one of the few outdoor spectacles that the rain could not spoil. The old green turf and the ancient trees made a matchless frame for the wonderful horses. The programme included Arabs and Shetland ponies, van horses, four-in-hands and costers’ donkey-shays, jumping tor hunters, and a driving Marathon for pairs from Hyde Park to Richmond. There were competitions for hacks and Welsh mountain ponies, and a very pretty children’s riding competition, and shows of polo ponies and tandem driving, and an interesting competition for horses of the Mounted Police, which were trained to step over obstacles without touching them, and to face revolver shots, waving flags, and noises without losing nerve. The beautiful, high-stepping, coaching horses recalled a more picturesque day, when there was not so much rush in our transit. There are more than a few who think that as we are becoming more and more the servants of machinery, we are paying in the sacrifice of beauty and romance and individuality. Science has added to our speed and our mechanical efficiency, but it is doubtful, as our lives become more and more governed by mechanism and electricity whether the world is any happier.

With the horses that are fast vanishing from the country life, as well as from the towns, there are also vanishing a number of trades and occupations. And it is held by thinking men and women that the advance of civilisation of recent years has been chiefly along scientifically mechanical lines. We pa;/ for speed and communication by noise, and the obliteration of rest and privacy. The big muster to see the start of the coaching Marathon from Hyde Park on Saturday, and the arrival of the coaches at Richmond, had a fine sight. At last it was a day of sunshine, and the beautiful horses and smart coaches, loaded with top-hatted men and fashionably-dressed women, was a sight that thrilled. “Mav Week." which is always in .Tune, at Cambridge suffered much at the hands of the weather, for although everyone at Cambridge who had relatives and friends liad guests for the week, without warmth and sunshine the magic of the river festival was missing. The organdie frocks and frilled parasols and evening punt parties and lantern-lit dances were not — the punting was done in raiunroofs. Bnf the indoor parties of tlie week have of Empire visitors added to their interest. rn h» i\, 1( -hocs of Wellington's afternoon party for Dominion visitors, held in her state room overlooking Rotten Row was a brilliant affair. So, also, was Lady Swayling's At Home for the great Indian nobles and their ladies. Among them were the Maharaiali of .Tind, the Aga Khan and the Maharajah Cake war of Baroda and their Princesses in saris worked in seed pearls and gold and silver, with necklaces and bracelets and head ornaments of precious stones. The reception rooms of two floors gleamed with diamonds and rubies, sapphires, emeralds and pearls. The scene was Eastern in its govgeonsness. the turbans of the men and tlieir glittering, brilliant robes making a blaze of colour. The British ladies were wonderfully garbed also, but they could not compete with the magnificent apparel of tlie Indian Princes and Princesses. Lady Aland wore an exquisite dress of blue and rose with a headdress tnsselled with emeralds and diamonds. The Brithn guests asked to meet the Indians were chiefly those of Diplomatic interest in India.

The popular thrill of the week has been the Wild West show of amazing Rodeo scenes at Wembley Htadiuip, where on Saturday afternoon and evening an audience of six figures watched the exciting first performance of American and Canadian Cowboys and Cowgirls corn-

poring in the International Rodeo tests ' of steer roping and riding, bucking broncho riding, etc. Tremendous enthusiasm and cheering greeted the cowboys and cowgirls as in Gala attire, over a hundred strong, they rode into the Stadium. The vast audience watched a wonderful display, packed with exciting or perilous moments, or what looked like perilous moments and hairbreadth escapes. Feats of extraordinary cleverness and daring were done with unbroken horses and wild cattle by cowboys in picturesque green and scarlet shirts, and white sombreros, and multicoloured scarves, and by dainty cowgirls in black breeches and scarlet shirts and wide sombreros. The girls showed amazing dexterity. The bareback riding of viciously bucking horses was wonderful, and the steer roping, the animals had to be lassooed, thrown, and tied up: cowboys unarmed and unprotected, pitted their strength against the splendid animals full of rage at tlieir baiting. Saturday was the first day of June's repentance; no rain fell all day to interfere with the various amusements in the grounds, and at night they were like a fairyland with illumination. An unfortunate incident marred the evening performance of the Cowboys, when a steer had its leg broken. As the animal was being led from the ring to be destroyed, there was some booing among the spectators, and in response to this objection steer-roping lias been eliminated from the programme. The steer wrestling bouts provide quite sufficient thrills without tlie dangerous roping of the legs of the animals. There is no doubt about the popularity of the Rodeo feats. Both the afternoon and the evening performances crowd the vast Stadium, and there is not a boy throughout the Kingdom, who lias heard of them with soul so dead, who never to himself has said, “I want to go." And every boy who goes, goes home to play at cowboys. War games have gone out. The excursion trains from the North brought tens of thousands of visitors up to London for tlie Exhibition for the weok-eiul. Indescribable scenes were witnessed at the stations on Saturday night; train after train left for tlie return journey crowded with those who had tried to crowd the wonders of the Exhibition into 12 hours. An impossible feat, of course but still, better than not seeing it at aii. One cannot every day lunch in New Zealand, take tea in Australia or South Africa, and dine or sup in India. The railway officials prided themselves upon seeing the tens of thousands of weekend travellers safely off to tlieir destinations up North again on Saturday night, but to their astonishment, there were almost as many again on Sunday, and trains had to be run in twos and threes, for thousands had remained in London over Saturday night. Sunday and Monday were gloriously fine—Monday being tlie warmest day this Summer. And the question of tens of thousands was, Will it be tine for Ascot tomorrow? Tuesday, June 17. The first day of Ascot—and fine! Not so gloriously fair as yesterday, but at the time of writing it is not raining and there in some sunshine, and the weather forecasts give hope that the day will remain fine for to-day, if not for to-morrow, Gup Day. Yesterday a number of newspaper people drove out to Ascot to have a look at the course, and nothing could have been fairer than the lawns, like an emerald green sea spreading in freshness as of April, and dotted with golden buttercups and white daisies right down to the cream and chocolate royal stand with pink and blue flowers in the golden beds outside the pavilion, and festoons of fresh creeper climbing up the balcony. Gardens of flowers surrounded the tents, and twined about the club pavilions where the great Astor picnic-party will have luncheon. Tlie gardens and lawns and course have never look better, the rhododendron bed in the centre of the Royal enclosure is a blaze of wonderful colour; the bandstands are re-decorated and painted, and the whole is a beautiful setting for a beautiful picture. Three days of sunshine have done marvellous things and among others dispelled the fear that there would be no strawberries for Ascot. A huge consignment had arrived from Hampshire. Tlie King and Queen went down to Windsor for the Ascot week on Saturday. Among the guests for the royal houseparty is the Prince of Wales, the Duke and Duchess of York. Lord Lascelles. and Lp.dv Worcester, who was Lady Mary Cambridge and a niece of the Queen. Also among the guests at Windsor are the Duke and Duchess of Portland, the Duke and Duchess of Poxhurghe, Lord C'arew, Lord and Ladv Hartington. Lord and Lady Mar and Kellie. Lord and Ladv Granard, Lord and Ladv Ednam. Lord Durham. Lord Eeve’stoke, Lord Molyneaux, Sir Victor MacKenzie, and Major and Airs Featherstonehaugli. The Duke of Connaught is at Bagsliot Park, where Prince and Princess Arthur of Connaught and his daughter “Princess Pat,” otherwise Lady Patricia- Ramsay, are staying with him. Colonel and Lady Helena Gi-bhs have a party- at Frogmore. Into the next four days, if summer stays, will he crowded a pageant .of fashion more brilliant than any Ascot of recent times, as well as some of tho finest racing of the year. Every fashionable woman has a different toilette for each day. If it is wet is will he a tailormade day, but a smart tailor-made, and a rainnroof coat that costs about £2O, and looks like a lovelv morocain cloak, perhaps in black lined in colour, or a delicate colour in itself—anything hut the hideous disfiguring drab garment a rainproof used to he. Cloaks or three-length coats of great beauty have been made to go with the dresses if chilly, if the sun shines scarves to match of crepe ninon with ends of ostrich feathei-3.

It is expected that one day the Queen will wear her lovely white South African ostrich-feather clcak of the Empire Exhibition, with an all-cream gown. Ostrich feathers will be unrivalled as a trimming for neckwear, fringes of feathers on gowns or cloaks. Feathers a yard long droop from the brims of hats, and the feather boas are 3J, yards long. One of the thrilling moments of a fine Ascot is when the King and Queen arrive and their carriage is first sighted as they drive up the New Mile in semi state. The first glad welcome, “Here they come,” deepens to a roar of thousands of voices as the outriders in their scarlet and white come up the course, followed by the postil! ioned carriage bearing the smiling First Gentleman and Lady of the Great Empire. Some of the lately arrived sons and daughters will sec the King and Queen pass through the courtseving crowds of Britain’s gentlewomen and bowing men to-day for tlie first time, and will never forget it. For it is a scene on the sunlit lawns of Ascot of incomparable grace and beauty, and the roar of welcome touches the loyal heart. June IS. All that was hoped for yesterday came to pass. The promise of the early morning of a fine day for the opening of A.scot was more than realised, for when the sun got through the early mist, it took triumphant possession of the day, and shone gloriously with deepening golden warmth every hour till its reluctant setting. Not for years has A.scot so richly been “glorious.” The oldest there said they had never known a more perfect opening day. and the Empire visitors present for the first time declared that “the half had not been told” of its splendour. A distinguished visiting newspaper owner called it "a superb, glorious picture . . . and the racing superb, and the ' class of horses the finest that could be seen in the world. . . Indeed, Ascot is about the best course in England.” And one of its most beautiful social scenes. What an unforgettable picture. The background of green turf, tlie sloping lawns, the royal pavilion bowered in flowers, the garden-beds abloom, and every woman in the enclosures in distinctive dress, the flag decked tents were erected by all the famous clubs, tlie Guards, Army, and Navy, Badminton, Cavalry, and others, where the proud members, later, gave their happy luncheon parties. When tlie royal cavalcade came down the drive, the finishing touch was given.

ihe lusty cheers of welcome brought smiles to the faces of a King and Queen we have seen sad and in sorrow. " Her Majesty was looking handsome in her lat on rite delicate shades, and a white ostrich feather wrap. The King wore a black frock coat, with a black silk hat. and a light grey vest and a white tie’ and a white carnation in his buttonhole. The young men, including the Prince of Wales and the Duke of York, wore the black silk hat and morning coat, and the dark, finely silver striped trousers. But-ton-holes were everywhere, clove red carnations and blue cornflowers were as popular as black and white check ties. Light double-breasted waistcoats were in great numbers. Many of the older memoers of the Royal family wore tho grey frock coat suit with grey silk hat. But the palm of being “the best dressed man on the course” lias been given to the Duke of Connaught, who wore a grey frock-coated suit and silk hat. Perhaps lie looked the best-dressed partly because of his distinguished and soldierly bearing and grey moustache. The colour-scheme of tlie women's dresses was refined and soft in tone, with just that touch of flame, like a flower in foliage, to attract hut not to tire the eye. Here and there a red, or vivid blue or yellow, moved among the whites and creams, blacks, and greys and pastel shades, the gorgeous attire of Indian Princes—the Sari of Amaranth and silver .an Indian Princess, a distinguished Chinaman in native dress, and a number of dignitaries from the East added piquancy to what was, in effect of the dresses, delicate and subdued in colouring, and almost Greek in style. In the royal stand, when the King and Queen arrived, were King Alanoel and Queen Augusta Victoria, the Duke of Connaught, Prince and Princess Arthur of Connaught, the Princess wearing a charming gown of beige with a red hat, and Lady Patricia Ramsay in pale beige and hat trimmed with gardenias, Lady Cambridge was in grey, her daughter, Lady Helena Gibbs, in pale blue, and Lady Aland Carnegie in brown with long ostrich feather to match. The Duchess of York also wore beige with a broad-brimmed hat trimmed with ostrich feathers. Lady Worcester was in apricot. Lady Granard in beautiful black with diamonds, the Duchess of Portland wore fuchsia colour, the Duchess of Northumberland a shaded green dress with flounced skirt. Lady Harlington in cream with a long black and white feather on her hat, the Dowager Lady Airlie in cream lace, the Hon. Imogeii Grenfell wore apricot georgette, Lany Westmoreland in white, Lady Amy Coats in white and pink. Lady Linlithgow in pale green, (.'ora, Lady Stafford in blue and white, Lady Fitzwilliam a blue lace gown and liat. Lady Dalkeith in yellow, Airs Kellogg, wife of the American Ambassador in dark blue, and Madam de Gama, wife of the Brazilian Ambassador, apricot.