KITCHENER'S RETURN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7504, 11 September 1902, Page 2

KITCHENER'S RETURN.

v" '. ■»- -^- A GLOTjiRIISU PAGEANT. {By A MELBOURNE WOMAN.) (M»lhorirne Avguf.) ■■-"• A most brilliant sunshiny day, and a gay crowd, greeted the victorious . general j , nothing, indeed, could be more enthusiastic than the welcome London gave that Saturday afternoon to the hero of the \ honr, r CAbs being at a prohibitive price, by ' dint of climbing omnibuses as they threaded their way in and out of the dense multitudes* and again worming one's way on foot through swarms of people, when at last even omnibuses had been stopped by London's magnates,, the police, I found 1 myself at Hyde Park gates. Though my destination was Lancaster Gate, w&ere ai> : party of friends awaited me, there was no alternative but to stay where I found myself. The streets were lined by mounted troops, sand already,.* gay cavalcade of Horse Guards pranced by, their steel and gold and crimson glittering in the sunshine. * The pavements ' around were packed with a happy, cheerful crowd,and, behind me, a resourceful man had unearthed a form 'somewhere, and; planting it against the wall, was energetically offering standing room thereon at 3s each. -Two American girls annexed positions, and I drew hear, prudently resolving to wait tißr pricee dime down. Not many offer* bsihg forthcoming, the adventurous form-dealer adopted Sam Slick's plan, and affectionately invited aU and sundry to "jist git up and 'aye a look from this here fine stand." Two tired, dishevelled old ladies cordially accepted the offer, and, after much scrambling, aided by a good-natured cockney, breathlessly mounted. ■ "Oh \ how luqky we are ! Thank you so much," said one, as she arranged) her bonnet, "I can see beautiful." " Yes, it's^ne," returned the mattjer-pf* fact dealer, "is each, mum." ... , " Dear ! Oh ! dear !" was the starfled response, " Maria, git down quick. Lor ! what a price." And very quickly they alighted, and were lost in the throng. Glancing at my watch, I saw at was now twenty minutes to One, and there was only twenty minutes to wait. Very promptly an elderly man* beside me said in that friendly and protective way I have found character* istic of London; crowds, "Take my advice^ madam, and look well after your watch.... You should have left it at .home." I thanked him, and it Was soon, tucked out of sight. Then a /milkman rattled" a large empty can down in front of me, and promptly stood oa it, of course, blotting out my view. He turned apologetically, "Sorry, lydy," he said, " but you kin git up on it too, if you like-r-there's room." But it looked wobbly and hollow, and not over strong, so I explained that I was going on the form. . "Well, don't you give him more than a bob," said another man, "It's a fair do askin' for three, shilluns. You offer him a bob, and jusf'op up— it's gitten on: for the time." I followed his advice, and found—after a rapid glance round showed no likelier bidders — that the shilling sufficed, and I was soon head and shoulders over the crowd, and looking on as gay and brilliant a scene as it was possible to imagineon the flashing breast-plates and nodding crimson piuraes.of the Horse Guards, on the blue velvet of the horsed bandsmen, with the gorgeous gold lace and the Bright scarlet of the Foot Gfuards, all banked and packed by a veritable garden of fair English girls, looking out from under pretty summer hats, and turning in eager ettfttterto tHeir 'brothers, and their cousins, and< their aunts. As far as the eye could reach across the park it was the same— the mossy exquisite green ot ijrass and foliage made a delightful background for the uniforms, the- bright muslin dresses, and the pretty faces. " ' ■■■■■■ ■ ■'• Suddenly there was a hush of expectation, a murmur of cheers; at the bend -ot the road handkerchiefs suddenly waved, sol* diers presented inns, outriders appeared, and then the Prince of Wales, mi the fult dress of a {general, drove slowly by. With him were Prince Arthur of Connaught and the Duke of Connaught. As he # pa*sedbowing and railing to the enthusiastic crowd, it brought vividly back the landing at.St Kilda Pier not so very long ago. Behind the (Royal carriage followed the Duke of Cambridge and other lesser lights. Then there was a pause of exactly ten minutes. . Expectation was working up ; to ' ftVeir' heat, the ripples of conversation rose. <i-^ citedly, and fell into a 'spasmodic sound here and there; an eager, bright old lady: beside me, wfyh whom I had chatted- a* little, passed me her opera~glaeses with a trembling hand. " I can't 'hold t<h«m uj>, I'm shaking so," she said, "do y6u look through them, my dear. Yon may- rfevfV /behold such a sight again-— and you'v* co?iVe from so far. See ail you can." It is truly touching the extreme kindness and .courtesy extended to strangers, especially Australians, by Londoners. And the hush of strained attention grew greater. .; Never before did I feel m tremendously the magnetism of crowds, the strange electrical thrill of excitement, and the Itears oame to my eyes as "a distant roar of cheering gathered in volume and crept nearer and nearer, like the billows of an advancing sea. Handkerchiefs fluttered out, looking as though by some sudden magic an army of white butterflies had been released, martial music struck a vivid note, red parasol* twirled, a gentle breeze set the nags waving, and then a tumultous roar a* Kitchener came slowly into sight. Surrounded by so enthusisastjc a, crowd, Jn such a brilliant setting, the air literally rent with heartfelt cheers t ! bat drowned the bands, the hero drove slowly and quietly by in an open carriage, dressed in worn and faded kharki. But even that stern, soldierly face relaxed, and it was with a particularly winning, almost boyish, smile j he saluted in answer to the wild " hurrahs." With Win, as I afterwards learnt, were General French and General lan Hamilton, on the opposite seat. At th» time I had eyes and thoughts for no one but the hero of the Soudan and South Africa. He was perhaps very slightly stouter than I had expected, but in other respect* exactly like the stern, keen face with which hit photographs have made us all familiar. It seemed almost unreal and incredible to see that iron mouth relaxing in a quids, pleased smile— quite a new character it gave to the fine, bronzed face. After an interval followed Lord Roberts and the headquarters staff, all. mounted and in review dress; they were greeted warmly enough, but the event of the day was over, when the la*t echoes of " Bravo, Kitchener," "Well done, Kitchener," &ad died away.

A SECOND WAB,MBD4L. -,7 '■'•,• (Received Sept. U t £.&.**.) -,. v 'Jsl •■'.' '- The King ia« tpprorM of • .eoonij jj^V medal to be awarded to the*« ii*l*' were serving on January 1, 1902, uwi 4IJ&-V < r e§ht&en months' sertii* in Sc^lif