The Sun.
London, England, 1869-07-12 00:00:00

A MEMBER OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS
AND A ROYAL DUKE.

A London correspondent—a member of the House
of Commons—writes thus to a contemporary :—A
curious story was current in the House the other night.
You remember that when the Viceroy visited this
country no escort was forthcoming to take him to
Buckingham Palace. Sir R. Anstruther, the member
for Fifeshire, who has himself been in the Guards,
made some very strong remarks at the time upon the
manner in which business was conducted at the Horse
Guards, and said that he wondered not that this escort
in particular should have been late, but that any escort
should ever be in time. The Duke of Cambridge
was very much nettled at this criticism, and sent one of
his aides-de-camps to remonstrate. So far, I believe,
the story has been made known to the public Sir
R. Anstruther was canny enough to ask the aide-de-camp
to put his complaint in writing. If that had been
done, Sir R. Anstruther would have read the
letter to the House, and the Duke of Cambridge would
have had to apologise at the bar for breach of
privilege. I recollect seeing a gentleman brought to
book at the bar not many years ago for precisely this
offence. The officer was too prudent to write any-
thing, but nevertheless the Duke had to apologise—
only fancy that ! Afterwards, the Speaker took the
matter up, and instead of supporting the dignity of the
House, as he was clearly bound to do, he sent for Sir R.
Anstruther, and asked him to retract a little, hinting that
his language had been rash and improper. The gallant
member, however, got rather in a huff, and naturally so.
The end of it was that the Speaker had to offer something
of an apology too, so that Fifeshire has received the sub•
mission of two of the greatest people in the realm—H. R. H.
the Comminder-in-Chief and the Speaker.

THE ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SHOW. 1869.

Manchester is preparing for a week's fete. The Royal
Agricultural Society is on a visit to the city, and Man-
chester men are priding themselves that the show in every
respect exceeds any previous exhibition in connection
with agriculture held in this country. Whether that be
so or not, next week promises to be a joyous festival. The
Prince of Wales and the Princess will visit the Exhibition
on Tuesday, the 20th inst. On the 21st they will have the
"pleasure of receiving addresses from the corporation,
ecc." and make a progress through the city. In addition
to their Royal llighnesses, amongst the distinguished
visitors will be a deputation of the "Societid des
Agriculteurs de France," consisting of his Excellency M.
Drouyn de L'Huys, President, M. Edouard Leconteux,
Secretary, M. le Comte Diesbach, The following have
also received and, it is believed, accepted, offers of
hospitality in Manchester and the neighbourhood :—The
Duke of Cambridge, the Prince Teck, the Duke of Buck-
ingham, the Duke of Sutherland, the Duke of Buccleuch,
Viscount Bridport, the Duke of Devonshire, Lord Keste-
ven, the Duke of Richmond, Lord Tredegar, Lord
Walsingham, Lord Chesham, and Sir Edward E. Kerri-
son.

The trial of implements commences to-day, and will be
continued through the week. The tents are already
erected, and the yard is fully ready for the influx of cattle
and strangers. On Friday the implement yard will be
thrown open to visitors ; and on Monday the entire yard
will be so thrown open. The price of admission on the first
two days will be 55., the third day 2s. 6d., and the
remaining days of the week ls.