The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-08-12 00:00:00

A ROYAL PIC-NIC IN IRELAND.

The Spools, Correid'oMiit of the ffrody News gives
the flto=oing graphic sketch of the Piedde th Glen-
&lough, whieli will be lon and pleasantly remem-
bered by those who tub part an it •
The moue...ow t 2, filentialough on Saturday will he long re-
membered by those privileged (4/ take part in it as 'combin-
ing the perfection of organization with the imalloyed enter-
meat of Willi And extmisite n 0:1,1,, was more
wonderful tbwn th-c Way in which handsomely decorated
tents, gilt chairs, French cookery, a luncheon table crowded
w ith superb plates, and ornamentsaud vases of flowers sprang
upas if by magic in one (Attie Most thhdr EolllllllltPli 100,04.
Ia Ireland, and a place where .the hal:ha...ins ate as wildly
scattered *het al, le, time during the day did the 11cWa of
the Ito;:al visit, spread industriously as it was by circum-
stances to whack I shall avert before closing my letter, bring
together more than a hionlred and afiy.penjile. flyerYthing
was as earefullY provided fr,r øi o the Pic-the had been held
in a well ormodt..,,lestanlishnient. There were thick layers
of matting on the grass flooring of the luncheou tent, to
protect the ladies' feet from possible dampness, a useful
precaution ; for though the day cleared up, and was es-
mdsitely tine from the time the Doval abide StiOed, there
were heavy storms et rein In the 6trlB !morning. . . .
The R2yal party drove hits Dublin from the Viceregal
Lodge soon after 110011 on Saturday, 1110 taking a special
train at the Harcourt -street station, at 12.30 p.m., were
rattled ilowit to Rathdrum, a distance of thirty miles, by 1.40
p.m. It was a great oldect all last week to keen the whei-e-
OM& of the file me secret. There had heenentongh publicitY In
all (7onseience, and it was felt that if the Lord-Lientendni dci
his guests .111111 throw off the trainmels of state for the do,
the relief would lir great and the reminiscence delightful here-
after. Accordingly no engagements were entered lido, and
ink information was gtvim topeeting ftsturdar. There
night he a private it eas Stud, lint nothing was
settled, alai even if it took place, the spa to he ridded
would not be decided on until late the night, before. As the
time threw nearer, it was pretty getter-alb- known that the
pie-nic would come off, but the rest of the secret was ad-
mirably keld, WO Dublin and the other strangers within its
gates were in sneh Ignorance that the various tempting
spots near it received heat* eontingents of visitors
through the they, ail or wholll wore positively certain,
fi-om informatitM they had received that the Royal
party had fixed upon the very spot whirl) they, the speakers,
had, by a strange ,in-/Ittoce, also selected for their exclu,
tin. As it happened, none of these enterprising holiday-
makers thought Of Dlendalough, and the picnic passed olf
as quietly as was wished .
It is noi too much to say .that amazement took possession
of everyone when the luncheon tent Walla reached. and the
minute completeness of Colonel I lollield'o err:intim-node Was
realised. the principal marquCe stood a bell-tent for
the servants, the gear of a-hick Prince Arthur subsequently
helped to anunge, pulling at the ropes with a will, and doing
yeonian's service, and behind this again, ton a most tare-
fully selected Spot, Ws; 1,1411nn, it, is astottiehlul
what a skilful artist can do, if proper appliances are
given him, even in a barren place ; and it is
probable that since manna was eaten in the 'Wil-
derness there has not been more appetising food pro-
duced in an unpromidng conntry than that pliteed before
Lord Spencer; per& party ow analithallY aftertiven. ft Pi
u nneuessaa to tiodarise the 4111111015 of his lordship's
" chef." 'the obi lawn in Mr. TrollopeW novel, who re-
marked, ''l Mil singnlarly fond of a pie-nic--the eitthig and
drinking part I mean, of course," iind who added, after a
111111n1114111a pause., "Iv Met only One thing I
know of whit' la I like neater eating any dinner 110101111 i •
ably at a table !"—this hero would, have found the Rotel
picnic jump with his hinne,ur admirably. It was jest
three It nut. the meal was servod ft might fairly
called Po- the (LIM, stir all out and the oat le-
MUD no nOlll. 41t1 belies sat, down. There WWI Min& aecom-
mmlation for all, though the aides-de-camp and the other
gentlemen who were placed at those ends of the long tables
vi !deli (.orrespoinbal with what We its, acenslomed to call
respectively the chairman's and VaCe-ealn4llloll.B places,
perhaps foul the space between their alnniin 81111 the canvas
w-ails behind them a trifle narrow. The principal people
sat at the centre of the table, some on one side of it, some tone
. . .

.... _
the other, and as the wind was blowing down from the tails
and freshly over the lake, Princess Louise was seated with her
back towards where the view would have been if the side of ,
the marquee had been down. The hince of Wales sat on I
the same aid", and tall find Countess Spencer and the rest I
distributed themselves rapidly, the Earl and Countess pre-
siding ashoat and hostess. Except that it was by daylight and
In pare air, and that every one was in mothing dress (stiff
felt hats, both white and :olotlred, predominating among
the gentlemen, alai tasteful costume dresses among the
ladies) there was really not much to distinguish this pie-nie
meal Irma an elegant dinner in a private house
The gilt " occasional " chairs. forty of whieh came down,
SO that everybody seas provided, St raCk the few ptaSalltry
wits came, to look on with deeper amazement than aught
else. "Why, Biddy, woman, they sit upon goold '" ex-
claimed an -rid man of the mommtains, who bad a glimnpse
of time interior of the tent while luncheon was twogressing,
and who. having made this mmark tm tOlleS loud enough to
be hearth inside. sid,equently relapsed into silence, RIO re-
sisted all attempts at conversation. 'The appalling magnitude
of his discovery, or a strong fear that lie had made a
usia-
take, ant might be laughed at if he said inure, sufficed to
close his tongue, and though it was tried more than 4,11,, to
Induce him to pass further remarks upon animal he saw,
" Pat was not to he drawn." It must not Inc supposed that
all the simple people who assembled about the marquee
were equally reticent. " Heaven be with the days that are
coming !" said one old patriarch piously, " for they will be
good for mild Ireland" '• Shure there haven't been a bit se
royalty lute tsr Inendalough before, not since the days no
King trf.amle " This set the whole party off, and
" the days K iiig 0"roole " and " a int 0' royalty "
led up to a good deal of Innocent fun. Given nmagnificent
scenery, heavenly weather, plenty of good company, choice
fare, and a disposition to be pleased, and the fates them-
selves cannot mar the pleasures of a day like Saturday.
'list-re were the incidents and the splendours of the grand
ball of the night before to talk over, too, and it appeared to
be agreed on all sides, from the Princess Louise and Lady
Spencer downwards, that imm it the glories of the 11.1yal reeep-
Lien hail culminated.

The Moil concludes its account of the departure in
these cords

Thu! a vim( 11R8 #•:nlibtl, the pleasure e.?+tl rrcesx of which
are not in reality marred by the unfortunate isolated offences
In the l'lmenix-park, which every one to-day deplores, con.
donning,. in the strongest manlier, equally the reckless con-
duct of the originators of the demonstration, and the tm
pohitk meashres of the Exelmtlee.
Oil aird:-ifig at Kingstoien, at two o'eh sic, there was a
considerable number of spectators aSt,knibital to r itnessf
their departure, and by whom they were loudly cheered.
Their Excellencies the Lord Lieutenant and the
Countess Spencer accompanied their Royal guests on
board the Royal yacht, as did also a distinguished
Virty, On rtnbaerli,7ll the band played the
National Anthem, the guard presented arms,
and the yards of the war vessels in harbour were
manned, while a salute WaS fired from the guns on
shore, As well as from the war vessels in harbour. A
dijmner, to which a select company were invited, was
then OM. ott ltriard, mad at halt -past three the party re-
appeared on tlitek. The I.ord Licutenant anti 'ountess
Spencer then left the Royal yacht, and the other
visitors having also disembarked, steam seas got up
and the yacht moved slowly out of the harbour, the
Prince of Wales, Prince Arthur, and the Princess
Louise standing in prominent places on deed:, while the
assembled spectators cheered lustily.

- _
Was it now or later that a guest remarked that n only
some else had thought of bringing music, it would have made
a pretty sight to see the "boys" and lasses of the district
dance a jig. Directly the idea wan mooted every one else,
including the I•Ances anal the Princess, thought no too and
just as expedients were being suggested only to he thrown
aside, and as a feeling of half disappointment that :44a good an
opportunity should be lost, Colonel Caulfield, artful man, gave
a private signal, anal as if by witchcraft the hills and
dales were echoing to the Merry hoot-sfirring Strains 0
St. Patriek's Day." The effect upon the whole parry
Was magical. There was a board, too, bar the nimble feet to
jig upon, and it was not long before a lad and a lass were
at it merrily. It is a thousand pities the picturesque sires.
of the Irish peasant is dying out, that it is succumb-
ing to the utilitarian influences of civilization. The
long frieze coat was scarcely to he seen at Glendatough;
and there Were, I think, but two lasses whose dresses
were not far too conventional for hearty jig slanting.
H owever, all went Merrily ond when "Old Kathleen," a
lady whose appearance xvould have made the intelligence
that she was a contemporary of the K int; o"foole previously
mentioned appear reasonable—when this; aged crone stood
up and danced with a vigorous pestinacity which mule it
seem that she wasa mechanical figure which had been wound
up, both peasauta and princes were satisfied that the enter-
tainment was a success. The people behaved splendidly,
standing round to watch the (homing. chatting freely, and
with that simple self-respect which is their characteristic,
but never pushing unduly or rudely upon their exalted
visit are, and obeying every request put to theft on tire in-
stant.
- • • • •• • • -

It would have been pleasant to have had music on the lake,
but bandsmen must eat like others; and while the btu& were
heingused, the instrumentalists' nice! was served. quiet
i row n boate over St. Keven's Lake, lord Spencer ;mil the
two Princes being of the party; a long look up at the cavity
known as St. Keven's iled, into which Sir Walter Scott per.
in clambering when he came here with la .ckliart and
then the word was given for the return. Tea was ready the
garden chairs with the oilcloth mats again, to protect the
feet front damp, were ranged at the 1. mg table which had
heen inovekt out of the marquee in order that those sitting at
it iniglit vuj..y the delicious air. Mom after this it wan
declared to he time for the start home.
' "

Now came What was petimps one ef the most enjoynl.le
the experiences if the day to the Royal visitors. It was
decided to drive back to Bray, a distance of twenty-one
English stiles and to hire jauntinif cars for the plumes%
allowing the carriages to follow empty or with such of the
party as could not be accommodated on the cars. All the
ladies chose the latter, Mal the effect of a procession of thejaniaiinrg .
ears of the comb,' with the figures of the Princess
Louise, Lady Spencer, the Duchess of Manchester, and the
other fair ladles of the party seated on them, with the Lord-
Lieutenant and the Princes, and other gou Heinen by their side,
was bewildering to many of the petit de they parsed. At
Roundwood, after a seven miles' nin, the ladies voted in end-
mously for a continuality of their experience. So R delay
was ordered, and the Frisco's, Lady Spencer, and the rest
continued on the ears to Bray. I omitted to Mention in
its proper place that the illustrious party called at,
and were delighted with, Jordan's pretty little inn at
Illendelough, the freshness of its garden, and the beauty .
, of the cascade and scenery bear It Stilkine them par-
ticularly. The Priece of Wales, the PriTeeSS Louise, Prince
Arthur, Lord and Lady spencer, and others of the distin-
guished party, signed their names in the visitors' book, there
to be displayed to travellers for. I hope, many a prosperous
year to come. there was a rare crowd aisentlth,l at the rail-
way station at Bray, for the special train was sent back there
early in the afternoon, and had waited all day. There was the
usual wishing, flurry, and fuss every one anxittes to Bee
AB smell of Royalty as possible ; every one cheering rod.
ferously and so forth until the whole party were seated and
the train hart moved off. It was nearly 11 p.m., when the
platform of the Harcourt-street Station, Dublin, was
readied. anti a quarter past when the carriages stopped
at the Viceregal Lodge. After this their Excellencies
the Lora-Lieutenant and Countess Spencer gave a dinner,
or rather supper party, at which were present his Royal
Highness the Prince of Wales, his Royal mom,.
Prince Arthur, her Royal Highness Princess Louise met Mar-
tkuis •of Dame, mid to which the following Sr err liVittsl. BIZ. -
'lke Martinis mol arelth 'nesse( 111 'lb's. Kirland countess
if Listowel. Farl of Leillster, Lally iertriille Talbot, Ilmi.
Nicer Montagu, lady Sophia Slaellillilarß, Sir. lloraee Key-
mmur, Major toy, Mr. F. I.: nollys, Mr. Fitzgerald, Sir. Henry
Thompson, Mr. C. Boyle, Mr. Lieelles, A.D.C.. and Captain
Campbell, A.D.C. Thus ended one of the hest days holi-
day ever partaken of. The day of the Royal pie-are is one
marked with a white stone in many mind,, and it wound up
with a spoken round robin ot congratulations and thanks
to Colonel I'aulfleld for the marvels he and the willing
people at his dispwal had performed.

A parliamentary paper 1041e4 on Tnesday, states
that the estimated amount required in the year ending
March 31, 1872, to defray the charges for the establishment
and expenditure incurred by the Army Purchase Comas-
sioners under the provisions of the Itegulatbm of the Forces
Act, 1871, is 1:603,1300. Of this £2,509 is required for salaries
of the chief conuniasioneM, two commissioners, secretary,
and clerks, t:500 for incidental expenses, and 000,000 for
compensation to officers retiring from the army by the sale
of their commissions, " including the payment to the Secre-
tary of State for War of such sums as may have been issued
by him for the purpose of absorbing the purchase value of
commissions sold during the year:,

DEPARTURE OF THE ROYAL PART • v
mith the national
• mind, inueh to an astonishin6
s deg,ree of treranye and
t fROf DVBIAN. . :- 1 - fiVnliPinoelOsps anion&all dales except the most eliti-
st:lf-indulgence winen I.c.d rrown
nee of WelePrinet• 41 rthuz, Frtri' eco L.. o vat#l,
thrnlitrquis of LI in1:1:, aii:i Eh', j ;,,1,P,, sis,l (1,,,,t6.,a,4 ' whole population ed i n laiemoswi.., sned.th.epless mai
es route for th^ ,‘lllaials cooliett their daily bread: !I',iViceregal Lodge on Monday morning Im,Fina-
forming their piiite drove into, Dublin trom the Which reit ti2.•-lielk sey-delunon possible. The
Hingstowa, and they. wpm. well Kceo,imai. in 1,,,,,,i,,,, , and with a aniversality of waive Vf. bi!re ir,nin.oy any
threouth li. sfvss(, l'ios li,tikr,,,. re 7.01,,,, rt,„,..„ 0, a I tiller ex:tropic. It was ahuost hot...utile tot -.Pain to
tion hail ~,,trow a .1.. o" '3, rdis.P.o.lthe..ir will to a degree
Monday thus describes il...i.epo*tre:— , bkcif— +i- itnth, and positively tinsafe to tell it, even
The Order for departitre WU neurly
.aituilar to that ole ' hsum. a the
served MI the erri:•M tido day week. Their Excellencies the tesintal quantities. From the
tliu...r_
~
~.,
~...,
in the nagit eiretaisoL,- ' f'Lltdols 9144.
4).1.111,;:::::fra:c:Ixrt.r. +‘,Nu,r, rtiZZ:z7::,,,,,t 1,1 lttlar , rti,;:ti,o,.n,twhzetrt upra igmi,oyna cry
kg
.oe most infini-
d its ;" :it!il ' the
gal. of Lorne were Followed bY a M..... 8 suite 0! the nmial was suppin r..4fe la naeille.y to dwell upon this
nobility amt gentry which ecustltnteil the suite of the Vice- characteristic for it has been mon. e...!••••s•eil And nom•
regal Coal dining M. past eight daya. The brilliant cur- ' f late titan but ttic ts:l.., "f
tege, escorted io a troop 0,t•,•,„, c..h . Melded upon o tan any other;
litYlli•rue* and unreality it sprea IS through all public
Guards). drove through the park at a brisk pace. and tut the
Vic,regal anti Royal party passed they were cordially life can Hemeely he :"±en..t...i., liooihig ?aim man-
greeted ahoy; the mut) a extending front Kingsbridge on the' hood like habitual and luxurious e'.4, deouption ; and
north silo of the river F1r0,,, and 1.1Me.13 001.0 stlslo.n.led when it pervades all classes, and is not n 0....:.!, fihe
Icon numerous house., awl the ••road,•,whielaPrzed the foot- off siiring f itruorince we axe at a loss to see how its
way' da'red- waragY as the 1 ia'a.lol ri`d k`l'a.4 to”'"attiges is,: ;•1 if of
- .I a' it is. startling to hear a man
passed 4,n ibel•• rd: E.,,,..hrulge and earliame t t t i'; .". '"
+" y'''' ' L
were thronged, as were also the stet. leading to tuhe' git'y
MIL and the genera conduct and khan): tert•eting of the follies of Paris are not indigenous, 'tut iif'ffs.•• •" (raised
sise Trochit assure the Ass44,lv that the, crimes and
people showed that they did not permit their feelings of is- to " English luxury andltalian corruption."—kin.ST.3
ilignationagainat the authorities lii: their amidwi in the MaflaZille .
park nti ;,,..:-.:c.iiay coning to interfere with tnew nnspitality
awl respect to the distinguished strangers. The general
decorations in llanie-street and, along the route the proces-
sion was to take were those whteli were creeted for the entry
of the lii isl nerty. Vie .t 400 waa benutifuL grid perhaps
the city never looked more gay and alloaat.i. • • •
The view from College-green was worthy of being
remembered Westmoreland-street was literally draped
in digs, and also Graftoti-street, stet the windows
in alt the Pouf es - from which ti , view e.mll. be obtained
were hilly t,,,upied Py ladles. The elte, leg Ohne the
route from Trinity College and through Nassau-street
was loud and general. In the vicinity of the te.ruinus
in We the people a ere massed in immense
force, and the eavelry Mid infantry, consisting of a coin-
psn• of *be fltb regliderit, kild the approaches and space
in front clear. The cheering was renewed as the 7 fee-
regal and Royal personages left their earriages, sad entered
the terminus by the southern door, where they were re,•eived
by Mr. Waldron, ILL, chairman, and the fill wing meal) ors
of the board. Of direct... 1, all of whom subsequently Iwo.-
raided the departing gneste to Kingstown :—ttir Jas p.m Cr,
kart Messrs. Robert tirey. Alexandet l'afkrt 3 P, w. Font;
JosePh Boyle, lib., talenthie Olirleit dtMatioi, J. r., and E.
Rlellavet Mertin,
The DulAiit EnTititog Matt says:
The windows along tlte ruble wen, filled with eallydressed
persona. There ersa a ,sliefil Mao 01 11,0 City Indies the 1... n I-
Millen:Olt phased. 'I he day lusing delightfully line the
streets core crowded ailil thronged with private carriages.
All the flat:sand deeorations remained up as the carriage of
the princt; of Wales passed on front Essex-In Mgt: at the head
ti Parliament.Mn•et lido litiont.street, whet, there in. a
elicer given, which was con fatly acknotiletigell by the Rti3al
Party.