National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1881-03-05
OUR LONDON LETTER.
INTERESTING FRoMTAE METRO Polls
The Burns Festival-Royai Albert Hall-Christine
Nilsson-General Gossip-Special Bow from
Queen Victoria = The Queen
ss' and JOHN Brown.

LONDON, Feb. 1.-THE Royal Albert
Hall was conception of the brain of the late
Prince Censort, and was first considered in ISL
committee was appointed for the construction OF 8
hall for exhibitions concerts, scientific converse
ziones, &c. in 1856 The Queen laid the
May 20, 1867. The building cost 100000 1t is sit
uated between the Horticultural Soeietys Garden:
and the Kensington road The front looks toward
the Albert Memorial. in Hyde Park. The building
is in the Italian Renaissance STYLE is very nearly
circular in shape, but perhaps might be more cor
rectly termed oval. The interior very nearly re-
sembles the pictures of the old Roman theatre
The divisions consist of central arena, amphithea
tire, loggia boxes, orchestra (Which is what we
term dress crele balcony, and at the extreme tor
of the building the picture gallery. The picture
gallery has the appearance of broad, open windows
from which persons look down upon the crowd be-
low. 1t seems to have been rightly named
for when the hall iswel filed it certainly presents
very picturesque appearance Nearly opposite
the orchestra is the box of the Prince of WaIes
which, however, he seldom occupies. gilded
crown marks the Queens box. The HALLS capable
of holding 5000 persons, and of course is only filled
on extraordinary occasions. One of the features
Of the hail is the = = =tt e
$S - GRAND ORGAN. s. &
1t is estimated that this organ weighs $50 TONS II
Is sixty feet wide, seventy high, and forty deep
There are $50 stops and 10000 pipes. Five rows OF
keys belong to the cheir, which range from nine
TO ten octayes. The bellows are blown by two
steam-engines. 1t requires player of eonsidera-
BILE ability to bring out its wonderful powers. This
organ was built by Henry Willis, under the super
intendence of Sir Michael Costa and Mr.. Bowley,
since deceased.
BURNS FESTIVAL.
On this OCCASION there were foIlr thousand
persons present in the Royal Albert Hail. but the
vast dimensions of the hall made even this num-
Der seem meagre audience. The Queens box
was filled with members of the royal family. The
Duke of Cambridges family was well represented,
but the Prince of Wales was, as usual, empty A
novel feature of the festival consisted in six ppers
of Their Majesties' Scots Guards, parading the
hall in genuine Highland costume, playing the
bagpipe The. dress consisted of the Highland
kilt, plaid white shoes, halfhose, and bare knees.
81 ibroch of Downie Dhu,' MARY of Argyle
The Blue Bells of Scotland and other familiar
songs were well rendered by London professional
singers.
MADAME CHRISTINE NILSSON
sang "Tacea la Motte,' from Verdis opera " II
Trovatore." She was encored, but the enthusiastic
applause of the audience only brought from her a
graceful bow. Her second song was angels Ever
Bright" This time she was encored and repeated
Her last song was AUD Robin Gray" Madam
Nilsson sings so rarely since her marriage that it
is great treat to be able to hear her Her hus-
band is opposed to her singing in public, but the
life of song is so much part of her being that
even the Gagged bird must pour forth its soul in
song. Her voice has lost none of its sweetness,
and her low notes as clear and flexible as ever
She were q costume Of dark-blue satin, en- raiae
Her dress was low in the body, and fichu of rich
lace crossed her shoulders. Her slender throat
sparkled with diamonds as she made the pecu-
iarly graceful courtesy which is so natural TO her.
TO the audience. .-.- .s ,....... ...
GENERAL GOSSIP
The banks of snow which adorned our sidewalks
for some days have melted and gone. During the
brief sleighing season His Royal Highness the
Prince of Wales, with handsome turnout and
his sister Louise, Marchioness of Lorne, beside
him often bowled along Piccadilly Oxford and Pail
Mall to the tinking sleigh-bells 4 sleigh or cut
ter is an object of wonder to the average Londoner
and they stop and gaze open mouthed when any
snoh vehicle passes in the streets. The fogs this
year have not been as frequent as in past seasons
In the arnory of the London Tower there is most
beautiful arrangement of sabres, swords and cut
lasses, &c, some OF which are formed into flowers
and other objects pleasant TO the sight At one end
of the armory, on the wall, there is placed a
most artistic combination of these weapons
Which, VIII pOlIsncu, steer ana
gilded, painted handles, presents striking like
ness to Old Sol. 1t is a standing joke among
Americans that the inhabitants of London see the
sun so seldom that they go to the Tower and gaze
on this fac simle lest they should forget the ap-
pearance of the king of day.
1t is announced that on the list instant the
Prince of Wales will hold levee on behalf of the
Queen, which means that the Queen does not at
that time feel equal to holding drawing room,
and has therefore delegated her duties to the
Prince. Everywhere you hear said, The Queen
is getting too old. She has no interest in public
or social affairs. Why does she not abdicate?'
SPECIAL BOW FROM THE QUEEN.
The Queen, when she rides through the streets
as matter course bows right and left to the
crowd. There is an old lady of the middle class
living in London who once received bow from
the Queen as she rode past it happening that this
lady was the only person Standing in a certain
space. She Immediately felt that the Queen had
done her special honor, and was very much
elated thereat. Since that time she boasts of a
special bow from the Queen and the memory of it
has been TO her what fame, fortune, and belledom
has been to other ladies. Every uulIeky young
miss who comes within the reach of her voice is
doomed to hear the story, much embeliished as to
&c. She also gives the minutest d.
rections to those who wish to receive like honor
The English people, as rule, have great faith
in the goodness and purity of their Queen. They
only complain that since the death Of the Prince
COnsort she has been too much wrapped up in her
grief and has thought too little of the interests of
The people. The summer she spends in Balmoral
Castle, and as much of the winter as possible ON
he Isle of Wight. Windsor Castle and Bucking-
ham Palace are graced by her presence only when
necessity compels. The stories regarding the
Queen and Sir John Brown lOuted at as ridicu-
ous and senseless gossip. A retainer on the
BalmOral estate states that Sir John Brown
was the intimate friend of the Prince Con-
sort, and that his deathbed the Prince confided
luy to see that the Queens carriage is plentifully
supplied The Queen is rather careless in this re-
'pect, and would often prefer to ride without rugs
John Brown has only to place the rug in the car
rage and say: Your majesty, it is good for you
md she, remembering her husbands last wishes,
quietly submits. From this has arisen all the
stories, only this, and nothing more' NJ
Spicy Romance.
Celia Logan, a brainier woman than her
lister Olive and equally as clever writer, tells in
me of her New York letters 10 the Cincinnati
TlesStar, spicy romance of the early days of the
Baroness Burdett Coutts when that lady followed
he silver tongued Mario to this country and sat
light after night, solitary and alone i'll her box
drinking in with rapture each liquid note as it fell
rom he OF fled fpunr'S Inns of,