THE KING AS HOST

Taranaki Daily News, 21 December 1935, Page 7

THE KING AS HOST

PRESIDENT WILSON HONOURED. SIR JOHN MONASH’S IMPRESSIONS. Sir John Monash, who was in command of the Australian Forces during the Great War, wrote some remarkable letters' to his wife and daughter. Many are of profound interest as throwing light on important ■. events, but we think his account of a State banquet at the end of the war at Buckingham Palace, held in honour of ex-President Wilson, which he sent to his people at home, has an appeal which a news paper report of the same event could not give. It appears in “War Letters of General Monash,” edited by F. M. Cutlack. “After a wait of some ten minutes, during which the remainder of the guests assembled, we were conducted singly, each by an officer of the household, with his wand of office, into the White drawing-room, where the Royal household were assembled. “There was no formal announcement of names. Each guest was first welcomed by the King, and by him presented to President Wilson, who stood on his right; then welcomed by the Queen and presented to Mrs. Wilson. When each guest had passed he was ushered along a brilliantly-lighted corridor, full of beautiful paintings, into the Banquet Hall, which was a blaze of splendour. “In size it was about as wide and half as long as the Ball Room of our Government House at Melbourne, richly decorated in white and gold, with six great crystal electroliers spreading a magnificent illumination. At one end was the dais and throne (which remained unoccupied throughout the evening) and at the other end an organ gallery, accommodating the band of the Royal Regiment of Artillery. “The whole corridor and the whole of the Banquet Hall were lined on all sides with bearded Yeomen of the Guard in their traditional Tudor, black, gold, and crimson, standing at attention, with their pikes and halberds, throughout the whole banquet. In addition, all the table attendants were in the Royal livery, scarlet and gold, there being one to each guests, standing stiffly at attention behind his chair. The chairs were crimson , damask with white and gold frames. “The Royal gold plate had been brought from Windsor Castle, and made a most amazingly magnificent display. The table appointments, including plates, knife-handles, forks, spoons, salt-cellars, flower bowls, vases, and dishes were all of solid gold, highly-polished and brilliantly scintilating. “Each flower-bowl was a beautiful speciment of delicate, modelling, and most of them were large and imposing. The flowers throughout were scarlet and crimson, comprising chiefly azaleas and ranunculi. Around three sides of the hall were displayed great high trophies of the remainder of the Royal gold plate, trays, dishes, vases, and salvers, each most exquisitely modelled and chased, and each specially illuminated by concealed electric globes so that their polished surfaces reflected a blaze of golden light in all directions. On the walls were also three of the famous Royal tapestries. “Except the small handful of naval and military officers, the guests were in evening dress (not Court dress), all wearing the stars and ribbons of their orders and miniatures of their badges. The ladies were in full evening toilette, with diamond coronets and necklaces. “As soon as all the guests had taken their appointed places at the table, which was arranged in one great horseshoe, the Royal party entered, 1 shered in by the officers of the household, walking backwards and waving their hands. The President led in the Queen, and the King followed with Mrs. Wilson, and then came the rest of the Royal family. As the small procession entered the hall the band played a fanfare, followed by ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ and ‘God Save the King.’ I had on my right Rudyard Kipling, and beyond him Sir Joseph Thomson (President of the Royal Society), and on my left Lord Burnham, and beyond him Sir Henry WilSon. Opposite tc me were Louis Botha, J. S. Sargent (the painter), and Winston Churchill. The meal passed amid a loud buzz of conversation anl laughter, and without restraint of any kind. Contrary to custom, the two toasts came on before and pot after the dessert. When the King rose to speak, the whole company, inclyzV--- the ladies, rose also, and remn’’no' 1 standing while the King deb d his oration, rnd until President Wilson had completed his reply. The speeches were brief, but dignified in lone and lofty in sentiment.”