The sun., 1880-08-15
WHAT rs GOING ON IN EUROPE


be distributed among the widows and orphans
OF tho sailors who lost thor lives in the train
ing ship Atalantn AS 1t is no part OF the duty OF
Government to provide for the relatives OF those
who die in her Maiesty's service. savo only
those killed or disabled in battle. many persons
who were dependent on the wages Of tho bold
sailor boys are now in absolute want. To re-
lieve this destitution a committee was formed.
and it wisely decided that the most effective
way OF unoosing the purse strings Of the upper
ten was to mix charity with fashion. and 80
catch the contributions OF those to whom chari-
ty alone would have appealed in vain.
To effect this object. the first thing to be done
was to interest tho royal family in the matter.
and they willingly lent their heartiest co6pera-
ton. The Princess OF Wales. the Princess
Christian. and the Duchess OF Teck entered into
the spirit OF the affair. and went about the
grounds selling bouquets and photographs. for
which they charged fabulous prices. Conspicu-
GUS among the bevy OF fair women who be-
guiled the sterner sex out Of their spare cash
were the Marchioness OF Ailesbury. Lady Cas-
tlereagh, the Mnrchioness OF Hamilton. Lady
Hemsley. Lady Emily Kingscote tho Duchess
OF Manchester. Miss Lindsay. Mrs. Gerard
Leigh. Lady Westmoreland. the Mar
chcsa di Santuroe. Lady Lonsdale. Lady
Augusta Fame. and Mrs LanRtry: while
Lady Folkestone. Mrs. Ronalds. and some
gentlemen amateurs lent their aid to tho good
cause by giving n concert. Mrs. Wheeler. Mrs.
CORVALLIS West. and other professional beau
ties attracted much patronage to their refresh
mont tent. where ices. fruits. and lemonade
were sold at prices varying with the generosity
OF the buyers and the persuasive powers Of the
sellers. The Prince OF Wales did his duty and
bought OF everybody. presenting all the change
he was entitled to TO tho fund. There was a
good deal OF friendly rivalry among the ladies
as to who should make most money. The
stall kept by the Duchess OF Manchester and
the Marchioness OF Ailesbury headed the list
with fl40. Mrs. Langtry made about f75 and
the Princess Christian took in over f55.
Earlier In the day the Prince and Princess OF
Wales had been Mt Wimbledon. presenting
the prizes to the winners Of the rife matches.
The popular interest in this meeting OF volun-
teer marksmen seems to be abating, as the
attendance OF visitors was nearly 1000 less than
last year. Many Of the successful marksmen.
also. were not there to receive their trophies OF
victory. for they were still at the butts. taking
part in or watching the match between the
Americans and the British. One OF the most
loudly applauded OF those who appeared before
the Princess was Mr.. Farrow. who had won the
cup presented by the Army Rifle Association. In
tho match between the lords and commons
the latter were the victors. or course the
greatest interest centred in the interna-
tional match. which was still in progress.
To forestall any suspicion as to the cor
rectness OF the score. the British team re-
ouested that the Americans would send some
representatives into the marking department
to assist the regular scorers in their duties.
To this the American Captain replied that
such course was totally unnecessary. but on
hn;v f,Il tall laI 20
The result proved a complete surprise. but the
defeat OF the Americans was mainly due to
serious misunderstanding among the members
OF the team. which ut one time threatened to
stop the match altogether. After the result was
known. Sir Henry Halford. in proposing three
cheers for the Americans. said that the victory
was to him most unexpected one Mr.. Hyde.
in reply. said that he claimed the victory for the
Americans. inasmuch as they had taught Eng
lishmen to discard the muzzle-loader and take
to the breech- loader. and also not to depend on
individual merit. but to strive all together with
one object in view. Mr.. Hyde spoke from bitter
experience. as without doubt the loss OF the
match was mainly due to the dissensions which
had broken out in the ranks Of his team.
A curious custom is still extant in the little
village OF Dunmow. Essex. Its origin is un-
known. but as the traditions have been handed
the details Of the principal ceremony have been
faithfully preserved. 1t consists in the pre-
sentation OF q fitch Of bacon to the married
couple who can prove that no shadow OF quar-
rel has marred their happiness for year and n
day previous to the ceremony The happy
couple are regularly tried by Judge chosen for
the occasion and a jury Of maidens and bach
elors selected from the most respectable fami-
lies in the county. who cross question the ap-
plicants for the bacon. Every means is taken
for ascertaining whether thev have by thought.
word. or deed done anything calculated to pro-
duce matrimonial discord during tn prescribed
period. In the olden times, no doubt the cere-
mony was an interesting and useful one and
calculated to promote happiness in the homes
OF the inhabitants Of Dunmow but lately the
affair has degenerated into circus-ike per-
formance. something after the manner Of
the Lord Mayors show. This year the
| Alexandra Palace Company had charge Of
the proceedings. and introduced process
sions Of knights in nrmor. dragons on wheels.
masqueraders, hand bell ringers. jumping in
| sacks. a piebald woman from America, tigers
and monkeys and other accessories OF hip
podrome. 1t Is pleasing to learn that the heav-
ems looked with disfavor on this desecraton
| OF the time -honored festival. and spoiled the
| whole performance by getting up tremendous
| thunder storm which caused q number OF the
superstitious and hali-drunken spectators to
| fall on their knees and attempt to pray Their
| devotions were. however. interrupted by the
more hardened sinners. who rdiculed their
| efforts to propitiate the elements. The result
was free fight. smashed hats, black eyes. and
bleeding noses. Tho crowd then dispersed
| with all convenient speed.
The authorities of Brighton. the most fash
ionable watering place in England. hnvo issued
an edict against the street venders Of fruit. veg
etables and other food. on the ostensible
| ground that they are a nuisance to visitors by
reason OF their shouting and brawlinG. Tho
crusade against the costermongers Is really
undertaken in the interest OF the market people
and small shopkeepers who find that.what with
| rent and taxes. they cannot compete with these
itnerant venders. whose only outlay consists in
the purchase OF hand-barrow or donkey cart.
| The visitors do not seem to appreciate the sud
den solicitude for their comfort: they have
taken the part OF the oppressed coster. and de-
clare that the enforcement OF the law is contrary