Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-07-05


n.y. psss =. Piasss IN Esslsad- arr Nsses-'
esr<ess, &c.
lBpecsAi correspondence Of the pispssch.I
LoxpoN, June, 1885.
We Jeff Paris with ell the world
grooming and prcphcsying that the
dirst misfcrtuncs and disturbances
would happen at Victor Hugo's funeral
Il passed of smoothly enough and only
turned out to be the largest, quictes'
pcpular demonstration France has seen.
For Il was demonstration rather tnan
funeral. We were lucky in our choice
az Z day for crossing the channel from
1oulorne 10 Tol Restoce. The sea was
calm and tho wind son. so we were
spared the pitching add tossing usually
n store for this short transit, and which
conccntrste into couple Of hours All
fhe sronjes Of an Atlantic voyage. We
thought England was looking her best rs
Ne want 10 London through the county
ofKent. The pink and white hawthorn
husbes we're in flower. the trees just IN
their first full foliage, and all nature
was fresh ard smiling. We went by
many typical English places--here a
large country house, surrounded by ex-
tensive ornamental grounds skirted by
. park there farmhouse, shaded by
trees and standing in the centre oil
well-cuItiysted fields; then village
Of red-tiled cottages, with their trim
little gardens in front and the
church-spire or tower rising from the
midst; and lining the railway were
fields as neat as gardens, and hedges
cut with surprising symmetry and ex-
setness, or, at rare intervals, LETT 70
ROW unframed and overshadow the
lanes CAV with wild flowers. The misty
atmosphere that tones down all preci-
sion OF outline struck us forcibly again
After the clearer one to which we had
almost become accustomed.
APPLES AND HOPS.
Kent is noted for its apple-orchards
and hop-fields, and as we came through
Il many fruit-trees were in blossom and
the hops were just starting up the Poies'
Though London is by no means
new acquaintance 10 any of our party,
wecould not repress certain thrill OF ex-
ultaticn as we entered this grimy, sober
city, with its gloomy skies and quiet
hammered people. We had left the
lands of gestures and easily-raised ex-
citemcnt and had come to one too solid
and matter-of-fact to indulge in any
such vague way of expression. | might
call it land ignorant of margins
We saw the coach parade in Hyde
Park on June LIST, when twenty-three
coaches turned out in pretty good style.
This park is in the heart of fashionable
London, and, being Of easy access, it is
thronged every day with carriages aud
ladies and gentlemen on horseback and
others sitting on chairs, which are
placed in rows by the side Of the drives
and the riding-road called 1.-The Row."
The carriages were drawn up i'll lines
four deep on Monday for considerable
distance, and we were lucky in securing
a good place for seeing.
HEADED BY A FIFE.
The procession started at a round
trot. 1t was headed by the Earl Of
Fife, who had the Prince Of Wales S it.
ting next to him, and the Duke of
Edinburgh and other royal personages
were on the following coaches. The
Princess Of Wales and her daughters
drew up near the arsenal, and Mrs.
Langtry, who was in victoria with her
father, the Dean Of st. Heliers, chose
10 be near the Albert gate. The day
v g fine, and the sight was really
pretty, and many Of the horses were
superb and well-driyen. Most Of the
coaches drove down to birmingham,
q club in the suburbs Of London,
where luncheon was taken. The
clubhouse stands in a large park,
studded with old trees. The Thames
flows on one side of it, polo grounds oc-
cupy another, and close to these is a
pigeon-shooting enclosure. The rest
Of the space is taken up with shady
walks, tennis courts, and terraces used
os CATS. There is conservatory in
the clubhouse, and just now there is in
it fine show of calceolarias of vide
range Of color. There are also dining
and reception-rooms, having outlooks
on the park and gardens but din
ners, lunoheons, and afternoon teas are
usually served on the terraces or I'M
der the shade Of the old trees that
abound.
POL0-DAYS.
On polo-days hundreds of fashionable
people 20 to birmingham, and it is ther
gay sight. On of-days it is delight
full retreat for few who are often only
too thankful to go out for an hour of as
thorough rest and quiet as could be had
in the depths Of the country. We saw
the exciting game Of polo played one
afternoon. Horses and men enjoyed il
thoroughly, judging by the spirited way
they went at it; and it seemed almost
miracle that any Of them came out
Of the meite alive. Before beginning
the game the players mount their
horses and ride up and down few
trials and try their mallet and ball.
When they start the game the ball is
thrown midway between the two goals
and each side tries 10 give the first
stroke. Sometimes the ball is sent
swiftly spinning along the ground to-
wards one goal, horseman is able t
get at it before the others come up, anC
strikes il back over their heads towards
the opposite one, and then oil rusl
madly after it. Sometimes the bal
alights in the midst Of the riders. ant
suppose they dodge it, for nobod,
cares. One Of them sends it forwar
and all dash headlong after it again
They generally play at very close quar-
ters--so close, indeed, that, seen fror
. distance, there is little clear space :
strike in. 1t is a great pleasure to Sc
how well the men ride and how easil
the horses are controlled.
RACING SPEED.
At times they are galloping along i
one direction at racing speed after tn
ball, and it looks as if il were impossi
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