Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-12-08
BRITAIN'S BRAVES.

plicity-Heroism of British Sightseers.
LONDON, ENGLAND, Nov. 20.-The great
review is over. 1t was not great from
numerical point of view, as continental
capitals often witness far greater numbers
in parade than the 5000 soldiers who
passed before the Queen on Saturday
morning. But, from its unusualness, from
its display of veterans fresh from hostile
service. from the splendor Of its accompa-
niments and the perfection Of detail and
discipline evinced throughout, nothing
like it has been seen in London for many
years.
At the close of the Crimean war, Eng
lands returned soldiers were reviewed in
HYDE Park by a then not unyouthful
Queen, who, with her husband by her
side. honored her veterans and the occa-
sion bv appearing in a Field MarshaPs
uniform. femininely constructed, OfcOurse.
Her interest in the man9uvres of the
war-wOrn infantry, and the mock charges
of that cavalry immortalized in Tenny-
sOnian verse. was manifested in the most
public manner, aided by all the impress
siye splendOrs, of which royalty can so
effectually avail itself.
To-day. as regiment after regiment ar
rayed itself along the broad straight
avenue called 1.-The Mall,' stretching from
Buckingham Palace to the Horse Guards
along the north side of Old st. James Park,
and as the household cavalry drew up on
either side of the Palace entrance, there
stepped out upon balcony over the por-
tails a little. stout old woman dressed
plainly in black Other royal persOnages,
more stately, vet less important, ranged
themselves on either side around her. The
numerous bands struck up ''GOd Save the
Queen" the Life Guards presented arms,
then waved their bear skin caps and
hurTahed with enthusiasm, and down the
long. red lines, that grew indistinct in the
distance, the cries and the waving ran
from battalion to battalion. The multi
tude of spectators shouted themselves
hoarse. while the brilliant cavalcade of
Generals and staff officers gathered in
front of the Palace gates, shook their
swords and joined heartily in the cheers.
The noise was tremendous, and the effect
still heightened by the thunder of the can
non engaged in firing the royal salute.
And all this majestic uproar over a
short, dumpy figure, dressed very plainly
in deep mourning. Even bonnet ana veil
were of sable hue, and an ample cloak so
concealed all personal adornment that the
living representative of the majesty of
/ England looked very much like an old
fashioned farmers wife in her Sunday at
tire. On either side of the Queen stood
the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Cam
bridge, both in full military costume, and
{ literally blazing with stars and decora-
tiOns. The Prince of Wales, the Ouch
esses of Teck and COnnaught, with other
distinguished ladies, stood by, dressed in
dark, rich walking costumes and heavily
furred, for the morning air was very cold.
1t was a curious sight, for doubtless
more than one foreign eye to see the stately
Prince and Duke in all their glory OF APP
parel, bending forward almost humbly on
either side of that insignificant form, in
apparently eager attentiveness to its ut
terances. 1t was vivid indication OF the
potency of that magnificent fiction of roy
{ atty, which permeates all English society
in such mysterious cOntravention of the
really republican spirit that is, after all,
as the breath of their national life.
The Queen soon withdrew. Then, after
a pause, an officer on fine gray horse APP
peared. He was followed by several
| others, also on horseback. AS they rode
! out through the Palace entrance, the
cheers, that had been so vigorous, now be-
came deafening. AS the officer rode rap
idly down the line, the soldiers tossed their
bearskin caps and helmets and roared UNI
til their faces We'd with their jackets in
color. The ranks were nearly broken IN
their enthusiasm. The great crowd also
shouted and swayed itself about. Every
one manifested hearty desire to honor
the slightly built, unassuming sOldIer,W
gracefully and repeatedly acknowledged
the salutations of his cOuntrymen. His
small oval face-cleaH shayen except a
gray moustache-was an open and pleas
ant one to look upon; yet, judged merely
by his looks, one would not have thought
Britain's most celebrated and able General
personally very imposing.
Yet it was Sir Garnet WOlseley sure
enough, and the people seemed to think
that they could not welcome him too
warmly. Evidently the celebrity and al
most ridiculous ease which has marked
the Egyptian conquest have not caused
the public to forget his former great SER
vice; and, in bestowing such high marks
of favor as he is now the recipient Of,
these are all taken into consideration. He
was the real hero of the day, aside from
the conventional demonstrations OF loyalty
to the Queen. Soon after this the Palace
gates were again thrown open. Ihen,
amid the thunder of the national
hymn, the Queen appeared in plain, open
carriage drawn by four chestnut horses.
The positions and foOtmen wore light drab
liyeries The Prince of Wales and the
Duke of Cambridge rode on either side Of
the royal carriage, Behind came similar
equipage, in which were the Princess of
Wales and her daughter, the last looking,
for all the world. like any three of the
thousands Of long-haired school girls, of
whom, with their short frocks, close jack
cts, dark hats and thin ankles, England
and America is full. Other carriages fol-
lowed. The Duke of Albany in Highland
uniform, the Duke of Edinburgh in the
dress of a Rear Admiral, with their wives,
were among the occupants. The Duke of
Connaught, clad in the Omnipotent scar
let rode at the head of his brigade of
Guards.
Down the long, long lines slowly passed
the royal cavalcade, escorted by detach-
ment of the Horse Guards Blue. These
fine sQuadrons are all mounted on black
horses of large size. The men are all Six
fOoters, and wear a dark blue tunic, over
which are FURNISHED breast and back
plates of steel, Ornamented with arabesque
tracing in gold. Steel helmets of a similar
pattern glitter beneath tall red plumes.
Tight buckskin trousers, pipe-clayed to an
agOnizing degree of wilderness, and polish
ed lack boots clothe their lower limbs,
They carry long heavy sahres, and their
saddles and knapsacks are quite hidden
beneath ample white saddle cloths, as
rich and heavy as the most luxurious of
travelling rugs,
The Queens carriage. after passing
down the Mall, halted in front of tall
flag staff in the centre of the Horse Guards
parade ground. This is a historic spot.
From the days Of Henry the Eighth public
pageants of all kinds have been held here.
The tournaments and cOmbats of the days
of chivalrY were very different from our
modern displays, yet not less splendid, and
of even greater significance. The
royal banner was now hOisted and
saluted. Then the band of the
"Grenadier Guards" playing "Rule
britannia" marched past the sovereign,
followed bv the Foot Guards" Other
regiments and detachments followed in
due order. headed by their respective COM
manders, all of whom have seen active
service in Egypt. Numerous other bands
kept the air filled with martial music.
Each battalion, as il passed, saluted the
Queen. who sat smiling and nOdding with
the most impartial amiability, When Sir
Garnet rode past she actually rose and
bowed, an act of royal condescenslon
which. to English ideas, embodies the
highest reward that a life of the most re-
noWned and unequaled public service can
merit or hope form this world. The
Princess of Wales seemed to be an espe-
cial favorite, and there was much attrac-
tiveness in the cordial, yet stately way, in
which she acknowledged the public favor.
There were Generals present whose
names, well known here, are less familiar
TO American ears, Sir Evelyn Wood, Sir
James Adye, Sir II. T. Macpherson, all
in their turn appeared to convulse the
crowds like the passage OF successive
waves of electricity. AS the route ur-
sued completely enclrcled the park, one
could have stood almost alone amidst its
shrIfbberv and mark the unseen passage
of the procession, by the distant roar
slowly travelling around, as the troops
yvara cheered from DOint to point.