The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1873-10-18 00:00:00

A MILITARY FETE AT THE CRYSTAL

PALACE.
Under die patronage of his Royal Highness the Duke
of Cambridge, Prince Edward of &me-Weimar, Lord
Templetown, and other distiognished officers, a Grand
Military PSte was held on Mon lay at the Crystal
Palace. All sorts of entertainments were provided, both
outside ending& thePalaoe, for the delectation of those
visitors in whole honour the day was especially set apart,
including agymnsetic display in the centre tronsept, un-
der the directionof Lieutenant Torkington, R. A., of the
Woolwich Gymnada, and athletic sports on the cricket.
ground, under the same able direction, which were, ac-
cording to the programme, to be confined " exclusively
to the representatives of the several regiments M and
around the metropolis." But, unfortunately, however
well the management proposed. the weather disposed
differently, and though the races were run and jumped
in comparatively fine weather, the moment they were
over the clouds opened, and there was mime very good
running indeed made to the building. Still, there was
no lack of amusement not requiring the aid of umbrellas,
and (mite compatible with dry feet. Lovers of music
were especially well treated, for, beelike • performance
of Donketti's favourite opera, in Englih, of the
Daughter of the Regiment, there wee a grand military
concert by the bands of the Royal Horse Artillery, the
Royal Artillery, and the fied Battalion of the 4th
Ring's Own Royal Regiment. Then, moreover, there
was the oullectioa of pictures known aa the Victoria
CMOS Gallery, which no doubt pommeled especial at-
tractions for many of the Asthma some of whom, in-
deed, may have beea By...witness's@ of the gallant deeds
to which the walle of the gallery are devoted. The
grand display of fountains and cascades was in a
measure spoilt by the natural display of waterworks
that was exhibited at the same time, and this, too,
of coarse, comdderably interfered with Mr. Breok's
fireworka, which should hays kV; Ow womb(

glory of the day. Am a special compliment to our army
there had been built up on the great terrace east pieee,
representing that building known as the Martiniere,
against which our attack was first directed on that
famous day when Lord Clyde and other gallant men
brought relief to Lucknow. But, though the rain
sadly Interfered with the consummation of this delicate
piece of attention, and the outlines of the building
rather spluttered and crackled into shape and being
than buret out all at once into the simultaneous blaze
of light that [should have been, the design was evident
enough and the co ailment duly appreciated.
The shells and the rockets, the balloons, comrades,
of fire, and the illumination of the fountains arid
water-temples were happily beyond the lidluenoe
of the elements and gorgeous as ever. Alter
the lest final discharge of 1,600 large rockets
the crowd began slowly to disterce, and, thanks to
• performance on the organ and a general illumination
of the bulling for promenade, which tempted some
still unsated revellers to stay yet a little longer, there
was not quite so much difficulty experienced in getting
away as is generally the came on these great show days.
To all the various entertainments throughout the day
soldiers and Volunteers in uniform were admitted at
reduced rate", and in some cases, as to the military
concert and gymnastic display, free of charge. All
branches of the service were well represented, for
commanding officers had been authorized to grant leave
to all welhoenducted soldiers to attend, hut the smart
uniform' of our Artillery seemed, perhaps, to catch the
eye more frequently than any other.