The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1874-06-13 00:00:00

ROYALTY and POLO at HURLINGHAM.

The Prince and Princess of Wales, the Duke and Duchess
of Edinburgh, the Duke and Duchess of Teck, and the Duke
of Connaught visited Ilurlingliam on Saturday to witness
the game of polo. but the day's sport was spoiled by a down-
pour of rain. The proceedings are thus described by the
Special Correspondent of The Boer :
L'Appetit tient en mangeant applies particularly to
the game of pelo, inaugurated two seasons ago in town
by the establishment of the Club at Lillie Bridge,
West Brompton, and now extended by the formation
of a second metrol olitan. or rather suburban, I•tolion
at the grounds hithertc' devoted to pigeons at Hurling-
ham. His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales,
always an ardent supporter of all-genuine sports and
pastimes, is, I need scarcely say, patron of the Polo
Club at Mlle Bridge, and it is well known has con-
descended to take no inconsiderable interest in its for-
tunes ; and, in consequence of this kind feeling on the
part of the Royal Prince, the committee of the new
association, "The International Gun and Polo Club,"
determined to endeavour to obtain the presence and
patronage of the Heir to the Throne and our Princess,
at the opening day on Saturday. As it was known
that their Royal Highnesses had graciously accepted
the invitation of the committee, and had signified their
intention of being present, it may be imagined how
great was the magnetic attraction to Hurlingham in
fashionable circles, and how eagerly were sought the
tiny slips of card, bearing the magic 'open Sessame "
which should soothe the stern Cerberes who jealously
guards the portals of the exclusive spot.
To judge from the fashionable crowd sussembled at
Hurlingham on Saturday, the popularity of Polo is
decidedly on the increase, but I believe I am not rash
in stating that the attractions of the game were as
nothing in comparison to the anticipated visit which
Royalty had promised. In spite of the threatening
aspect of the sky, which early in the afternoon gave
indications of the subsequent downpour, a consider-
able portion of London's elite was gathered to do
honour to the Prince and Princess, and to witness
the tournament between the Blues and Ist
Life Guards. The grounds at Hurlingham are
just now looking their best; and, even under the
influence of a treacherous looking sky had a de-
lightfully refreshing aspect to the eye tired of the
glare of pavement or of the dusty road, The Club
house is most picturesquely situated, half hidden by
some splendid elms, which gave their cool shadows as
a sort of protection from the rays which now and then
broke through the black and thunder-laden clouds
above. The smoothly-shaven lawn, brought by roller
and scythe to a pitch of level. which Fuller Pilch or
" Felix" would have appreciated; the peeps to be ob
tained of the river through the leafy screen which in-
terposed ; the splendid show of roses, just now worthy
alone of a special visit to the grounds; the gardens, rich
with their floral treasures, and the orchard, where each
bough was laden with the promise of good fruit: the
well-kept conservatories, with their wealth of vine and
fuschia, thronged with a streasn of lounging, chat-
ting, laughing, flirting fashion, where Epsom, Lecoess's
new opera, the French plays, the skating in Hans-
place, and the prospects of Ascot are discussed; the
wildeniems whose mazy avenues hear many a whisper
intended for but one pair of earn; the pagoda-like
mushroom tents dotted round the lawn; and the
magnificent marquee prepared by the seecretary, the
Honourable Charles Monson, for the reception of the
Royal party' all united in rendering Hurlingham a
kaleidoscopic panorama, if I may apply such an ap-
parently centradictory term to the varied and protean
scene. The Princess Mary, attended by the Duke.
her husband, was the first of the Royal party to
an-lye, and soon after this addition to the very large
and fashionable crowd dispersed around the grounds,
the element assumed a still snore threatening hue, but
did not deter any of the visitors, attired as they
were for bright sunshine, from refraining to wit-
MRS the sport. A few bars of "God Save the Queen"
from the band of the Ist Life Guards, announce,
BOOM after four o'clock, the arrival of the Prince and
Princess of Wales, who, with the Duke and Duchess
of Edinburgh, Prince Arthur, and Prince Edward of
Saxe Weimar, attended by Colonel Kingscote, Com-
mander Ramsay, and other members of their respec-
tive suites, drove at once to the Royal marquee, and
were received by Lords Holmesdale and De Lisle and
Dudley. Between the Royal pavilion and the club
house a great number of " four-in-hands ' and other
carriages were drawn up three and four deep; and on
the arrival of the distinguished guests every hat was
raised, and a murmur of welcome went round evincing
the gratification of the crowd at the arrival of the most
popular Princess ever known in England.
Attired in the colours of their corps, white jerseys
and crimson caps, the doughty champions of Colonel
Baillie's horse, rode first from the paddock to the
western gaol, and I noticed the following "good men
and true—the tall and lithe form of the heir of Bad-
rninston, mounted on a pony which looked like a pocket
drayhorse ; the active figure of Lord Kilmarnock,
better known as " Killie " ; the "two noble kinsmen,"
representatives of the house of Fitzwilliam, both
brothers in arms as in lineage, and about as tough a
brace to encounter as Lillie Bridge can boast; and
finally Mr. F. R. Gaacoigne who, I have noticed, has
with his brother taken to play very regularly at
West Brompton. Another trumpet-call, and in the
opposing lists are quickly seen the following five, re-
presenting the Ist Life Guards ; The Hon. Reginald
'Talbot, whom I have never seen at Lillie Bridge save as
a spectator • Captain the Hon. H. C. Needham,
Grenadier Guards, playing, I presume, as a substitute
for some absent Life Guardsman; Captain W. H.
Fellowes ; Captain E. M. Denney, who by the bye,
has juat obtained his troop; and Mr. A. G. H. NV,
Dunbar. The latter band of horsemen wore crimson
jerseys and blue caps, and it would be indeed difficult
to pick upin all England ten cleverer or more " varmint "
1601 ring little nags than the " quads " under four-