Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-07-27
TAKING In ROYALTY.
A Dispatch Staff Correspondent Helps
Do the Flunkey Act
FOB TIE PRINCE OF WALES PARTY
Impressions Of Close View at the Opening
of VauXhall Park.
ENGLISHMEN LOYAL TO THE THRONE
lrRoM A STAFF CORRESPONDENCE

"A
committee to receive the Prince of Wales on
the occasion of the latter opening park in
England. I had the honor to be in that
position on the 7th inst, and doubt if the
circumstance has a precedent. 1t does seem
bold and not little amusing for foreigner
to take part in the reception ceremonies in
honor of future King in the latter's own
dominions, and particularly when the busi-
ness is the handing over of public park to
the people. L will not readily forget the
event, and there were so many Interesting
features in it from a strangers point of
view that few words regarding it will no
doubt be read with great interest by Ameri-
can newspaper readers.
How did I get on that committee? Well,
I'll explain. Like all visitors from America
1 had very great curiosity to see how roy
alty-real live princes and princesses-and
not only to see them, but to be as near as
possible to them so as to determine whether
they were to all appearances made up of the
same kind of flesh and blood as ordinary
mortals. There was to be a public park
opened in South Lambeth by the Prince Of
Wales, assisted by the Princess of Wales,
Princess Louise, the Duke of Edin-
burgh, the Princes brother, the Archbishop
of Canterbury and others. To be one
of the committee to receive this distin-
guished party was to get into close company
with every member of it. American news
paper tuition soon enabled me TO accom-
plish what wanted. A friend of mine
was on the committee and 1 secured his
ticket and badge. I sailed forth, dis
played the ticket and badge at the park
gate long before opening time and was ad-
mitted without any questions whatever.
Really the committee men did not know
each other, as they had been selected, and it
seemed to me at once that many of them
were just as much strangers to esch other
as vas to all of them. This being so I
made bold to put myself on equal terms
with all and was soon ordering intruders to
keep off the grass.
ANY AMOUNT OF HUMBUG.
It was Vauxhall Park that was opened.
1t is right in the center of a working popu-
lation and in the parliamentary district that
was represented by General Davis who
eloped with ba-maid some time ago. The
residence in the center Of the park was the
residence of the late Professor Fawcett, the
blind statesman and economist whose
daughter is just now causing sensation in
England by her extraordinary achievements
at Oxford University and who was pre-
sented to the Prince and Princess OF Wales
at the park. The park is in memory of the
late statesman, and is a beautiful little
place. Americans who have never been
outside the limits of the territory of the
Stars and Stripes have little idea OF the
pomp, pageantry, and I may add funkey-
ism of public event in which royalty fig
I'm ilo 4hara 10
humbug to the square foot than will be
found throughout the entire length and
breadth of the United States.
Everybody turns out to see the Prince,
from the indolent aristocrat behind his
prancing steeds down to the poor and strug-
Cling costermonger. And the widest en-
thusiasm prevails. Well, we committee
men representing the workingmen OF the
Kenssington district were ordered in line
about 80 minutes before the royal personages
arrived. There was tree to plant and in-
Productions to be made. The committee was
placed on either side of the spot where these
ceremonies were to take place, so that had
an excellent view of the Anglo-German
representatives of royalty. But long before
the royal party arrived all the roads and
streets were packed with people who had no
admission tickets to the park. The crowds
scores of mounted police and hundreds Of
police constables, and although the weather
was damp and cold, everybody seemed to be
in good humor, except an old man who stood
next me, who couldn't get his pipe to smoke
in good style. He cursed the royal family
from the old Queen down to the meanest
menial in the royal establishment. Military
companies were scattered all over the park,
bands were playing God Save the Queen"
and "God Bless the Prince of Wales" and
school children were singing ''The Boys and
Girls of England" Still the wait became
weary.
CoMMoTIoN CAUSED By THE ARRIVAL.
Finally faint cheer was heard in the ad-
jacent streets, and presently the Duke of
Edinburgh and the Princess Louise, brother
and sister of the Prince of Wales arrived
and were formally instructed as to their part
of the performance, which was to hand over
some keys to the Prince of Wales when he
landed on the scene. A few minutes after
the Dukes carriage had arrived tremend-
Gus cheer was heard outside the park. An
old gentleman who might have been mil
lionaire, and whose loyalty was extreme,
came rushing up the drive from the park
gate, making heroic struggles. for lack of
breath, to say "the Prince is coming"
The Prince, Princess and their daughters,
Princess Victoria and Princess Maud, ar
rived sure enough, and there was tremend-
Gus noise. An outrider preceded the royal
carriage, and the latter was drawn by four
noble horses. The occupants of the blooded
vehicle alighted and walked past the COM
mittee Everybody was bowling and bend
ing as if in the midst of fatal attack of
s'grippe." The Prince wore dark over
lust as simple and innocent-looking as it al
wavs was. He was all smiles and
in some respects reminded one of
the Mr.. Dick that Dickens has i'm
mortalized. However, while not giving evil
dence of deep philosophic thought, he left
no doubt of the fact that he would be jolly
good fellow when out with the boys, and
quite a happy and genial mark for the
Washington. D. O., poker players:
WHAT THE PRINCE IS GOOD FOR,
Doubtless the mission of the Prince of
Wales on earth is not to think, but to attend
race meetings, open public parks and lay
corner stones of churches. In appearance
and intellect he is thoroughly fitted to
fulfill his mission. The cares of state NAV
lie heavily on his mind, but only when he
gets into his frequent financial difficulties
by backing losers at the races. The Princess
is a charming lady and carries her years 50
we'll that she could pass as sister to her
daughters. They were all dressed in very
quiet way, indeed; almost every lady on the
grounds displayed much more gaiety in
dress than the Princesses. The latter were
very plainly attired. When the Princes
carriage had driven to one side, the Arch
bishop of Canterbury arrived and the entire
party was complete.
There was touching little incident next.