LA MILO AS LADY GODIVA.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 8912, 25 April 1907, Page 2

LA MILO AS LADY GODIVA.

REPORTED PUBLIC MIDNIGHT

.RIDE IN CHARACTER.

The "Sketch" publishes the reproduction of a photograph of La Milo seated on a horse in one of the streets of Coventry, ckd, like Godiva of old, only in chastity and white enamel. It 6a y 3: — La, Milo, the famous living statue, whose appearance, at the London Pavilion, caused go much controversy, was appearing in Coventry recently, and decided to emulate Lady Grodiva'e ride. Cruikshank sends us the photograph, together with the following particulars as to how this was accomplished: "As the bell of the clock high up in the tali spire of Tjio St Michael's sounded out sharply upon the frosty pair two hours past midnight, 'a beautiful Avoman might have been observed 1 emerging from a building m the ' City of Three Spires ' seated upon a (spirited and well-proportioned white palfrey, which quivered as the cold north-east wind cut it like a whip. But who -was this fair lady who' had ventured upon the streets like a second Lady Godiva, under such conditions? Urging her horse, forward, the equestrienne rod© rapidly along the streets of the ancient city. Old buildings, some of which had probably been erected not many years after Godiva's ride, frowned upon her fair form, but the moon looked down benignantly and the stars twinkled encouragement to the handsome horsewoman. Avoiding the stone setts of the tramways, the mysterious one kept her graceful charger upon the macadam portion of the narrow and winding roads. Except the occasional barking of a dog and the noise of the horse's hoofs, not a sound was heard, and the twentieth century G'cdiva passed through the .slumbering and peaceful city unmolested and unseen."

It seems odd that there was not even a " Peeping Tom " to vouch for the authenticity of this narrative, andi "vve can imagine' the citizens — perhaps ecandalisecl at such a close imitation of tho original — asking where were the police that an apparently nude woman should be allowed to ride through the streets of tho city unmolested and uneeen? Were there no belated wayfaiws or roysterers about ill all Coventry to t»ee a eight that could not fail to be noised abroad, either as a ghostly visitation from Coventry's ancient benefactress, or as the shameless freak of Rome impudent emulator? That Madame Milo might ride the streets in, character as Lady Godiva might \e possible, but that she should have done so quite unseen, even at midnight, seems passing strange. That she could have accomplished this ride on that bitter night in such guiee without paying a prompt and severe penalty in the shape of illness seems miraculous.