The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1883-11-10 00:00:00

DEPARTURE OF THE DUKE AND
DUCHESS OF CONNAUGHT.

Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of
Connaught left London on Friday evening in last week
for the Continent, en route to India. Long before the
hour fixed for their departure the approaches to
Charing•cross Railway Station were lined by thou-
sands of spectators, and by half-past seven o'clock a
large number of friends of the Duke and Duchess had
gathered on the crimson-carpeted platform, alongside
which the Royal train was drawn up. The western
side of the station was entirely closed to the public,
and a strong force of police stationed at the various
barriers prevented the passage of unauthorised
persons to any of the other platforms. The Royal
train consisted of two saloon carriages, two first-
class carriages, and two brake vans. On the
table of the principal saloon were placed handsome
bouquets, presented to the Duchess of Connaught
on her arrival; one of violets, by Lady Herbert:whose
husband will be upon the staff of his Royal Highness,
and the other of choice white flowers, by Sergeant-
Major Peter Smith on behalt of the non-commissioned
officers of the let Scots Guards, of which regiment
the Duke is Colonel. A guard of honour of 100 rank
and file of the regiment with the Queen's colour was
'hewn up,under the command of Lieutenant• Colonel the
Hon. J. Vanneck, at the opposite side of the west
platform, and the full band was also in attendance.
At 12 minutes to eight the Prince and Princess of
Wales arrived from Marlborough House, and as their
Royal Highnesses alighted the guard of honour pre-
sented arms, and the band played the National Anthem,
while the prolonged cheering whtch had been heard
from the crowds outside, was taken up and repeated
by the spectators assembled on the platform or massed
below the harriers. Whilst tbeir _Royal Highr cs,ea
were ..eceiving the respectful grtetings of the as,rn.
blase the other members of the Royal Farn,:y
arrived in quick succession. Prinee and Pr in •e,3
Christian, the Duke and Duchess of Ldinburs4h, ;.rd
the Duke and Duchess of Albany had already joinsd
the party when, at five minutes to ( 41,t o'cl.r.
the Duke and Duchess of Connaught dr,:ve up to
the platform and alighted amid univergal and
hearty manifestations of welcome. The Natiod,al
Anthem was again played, and a brier int,,rval was
then occupied in exchanging farewell greetings. The
Duchess of Connaught, who wore a dark brown velvet
travelling dress, with plain black velvet hat, was pre.
sented by the Prince of Wales with a splendid bouquet.
At a minute past eight the Duke and Duchess entered
the saloon carriage ; and the members of their suite
having also taken their seats, the train started on its
Journey, the Royal travellers repeatedly waving from
the carriage windows their acknowledgments of the
ringing cheers which followed them.
The Duke and Duchess of Connaught reached Dover
at a quarter to ten o'clock, and immediately embarked
on board the special steamer Invicta. Their Royal
Highnesses took their places on the budge of th boat,
and as she left the pier at five minutes to ten they
came to the gangway and acknowledged the repeated
cheers of those on shore.

The Times of Saturday in noticing the departure of
the Duke and Duchess of Connaught, says his Royal
Highness is to take up the military command of the
Meerut Division, to which he has been designated.
The good wishes of the whole English people will ac-
company him and the Duchess. Whatever objections
may attach to the appointment of members of the
tyal Family to responsible posts in administration at
home or abroad, it has always been recognized as fitting
that in tbe profession of arms, with which they are by
traditicn connected, they should have OA opportunity
of serving their country and making for themselves a
distinguished and useful career. It is no amateur
soldiering on %hich the Duke enters when he accepts
an Indian command. In India there are few of the
amenities of military life which sometimes call forth
the crit!cism or satire of those who observe a highly
placed officer's position in England. The Indian
army occupies a country the condition of which
brings our troops into something like the category
of the Continental armies, and every men who takes
service in it, whatever may be his rank or functions,
knows that he must be ever ready to deal with un•
known contingencies. To engage in this more earnest
and serious service has, we b-lieve, been long the
desire of the Duke of Connaught. He has looked
upon his profession not as a mere ornamental
adjunct to his high rank, but as a career to be stead-
fastly followed; and this Indian command, involving,
as it does, separation for himself and his consort for
several years from the society and the conditions of
life to which they have been accustomed, has bee*
accepted with hopeful anticipation by both of them.
That the son of our Queen and the daughter of the
gallant Frederick Charles may be favoured with all
good fortune in their new career will be the wish of
every Englishman. This is the first instance of the
employment of an English Prince within the limits
of our Eastern Empire. All will desire that the result
may be of good omen for the future.