Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1891-03-19
A LAUNCHING BEE.
ANAMERICAN's IMPRESSION or BRIT
IsH ROYALTY. LONDON roc AND
THE BEAUTY or THE COUNTRY.
4 Letler Trom col rarI.Inson.


] 3
and particularly OF seeing a great mod
orn war ship launched and still another
and larger one christened, and formally
named on the same day.
For some days the English papers had
talked Of the new ironclads so nearly
ready for service, and Of the great and
imposing services in The launching Of
the one and the naming and floating
Of the other, and to which her majesty,
The queen, had promised her royal fa-
vor.
Both the event and the occasion We're
heralded IN official, as well as In lay
circles as matters Of Importance and In
terest. II was therefore with no little
pleasure that accepted an invitation 10
witness the spectacle, and ticket OF ad-
mittance to the platform Of the house
/ Of commons" through the influence
Of friend whose uncle is an admiral in
the Queens navy. At 8 o'clock a. M.
a train Of frst-ciass carriages, called
the Admiralty train and specially
provided for the lords OF the British adj
mlfalty and invited guests 10 the cere-
monies, was backed into the great VIC
toria. station. II was soon filed and
speeding on its way through the frosty
alr, misty fog and London smoke
Presently the sun began TO dart his
CHEEKY rays through mist and fog and
TO light up the hedge rows aud fields OF
the country, happily out and away from
old London's noise and pail Of dirty
smoke. A quick run OF two hours
through beautiful country Of well cul-
tlvated fields, snug farm houses. grand
country mansions, Aocks Of sheep and
clumps OF lazy cattle; past stations and
through towns and cities, across wind
ing streams and through dingv tunnels;
along the base OF great chalk cliffs and
sight Of ancient castles nm
til there loomed up the
the strong forts and miles ofearthworks
Tor the defense Of Portsmouth and her
harbor And then the harbor itself
burst into full view, with its forests OF
mas,s, and dotted over with war ships.
both old and new. From every mast
and every spar, from the vast govern
ment buildings and shops where her
majesty's war ships are mainly built.
from church and dwelling and qatewRv
and post, auttered the English hag and
the English naval ensigns. It was. In
TACT, regular Fourth OF july but saw
no stars and Stripes, and no Star Spaa
gled Banner waving there "o'er the
home OF the free and the pride Of the
brave"
booming OF cannon from various war
ships in the harbor announced the arri-
val, shortly after, OF the royal train
bearing her majesty and suite. The
prince Of Wales and his two brothers.
the dukes OF Edinburgh and Connaurht.
were in waiting with the lords
Of the admiralty 10 welcome
their mother and sovereign First on
the program was the launching of the |
ironclad the Royal Arther.n A plat
form reaching nearly up to the water
line OF the iron warrior had been
erected for the queen and the principal
officials Of the occasion. / happened .
10 secure a seat within few feet Of the /
queen, but on a platform q couple OF /.
feet higher than the official platform. I
and so had very good view OF tho I.
queen and the royal family present. I
ASSISTED by one Of her Indian subjects /
lowed by train OF officials and court I
lers in oedazzling uniforms. the queen /
dressed in black, with a few white flow I
ers in her bonnet. ascended the steps to J
the platform, where she was again .
received by the Prince OF I
Wales and his two brothers. all in ma
val uniform, and the chief lord OF the
Short religious services
we're then held closing with the Lords
Prayer, IN which the royal family
Joined.
II was some twenty minutes before
the battering rams had knocked out the /.
locks from under the ship, ready for
he final word go. In the meantime the
queen looked about over the 81 eat
.hrong Of people below and about her.
aud talked cheerily with the three sons.
he elder and better looking OF whom
seemed in 4 particularly happy frame OF
mind.
And this short, stout. rather kindly I
aced old lady, with q red nose and bv
10 means intellectual looking face, IS I.
he queen Of Great Britain. empress Of /
.ndia, Defender Of the Faith. 80 etc. etc;
he titular head Of the greatest nation in
loint of power territory and wealth in
he whole world. As such, and because
he has been a good mother and kindly
disposed woman, no one can begrudge
Ter proper respect and veneration.
But when this veneration assumes the
orm OF worship and fulsome adj
llation, and is supported by
he doctrine of the so called
divine right of kings. the whole thing
)ecoules absurd. The English nation Is
great and powerful, not by reason OF.
,ut in spite Of its royal sovereigns. not
me Of whom In the last two centurie-
las been above mediocrity IN intellect. ;
While ranging from that down to abso- !
ute imbecility. Nor is the exception /
likely to be gainsaid in our day, iudg-
ng from the presumptive heirs TO the
hrone now In sight.
A blast from trumpet again com
handed silence The queen touches {
he button that releases the champagne
which, breaking on the iron prov, dis !
'orts its frothy beverage down the
rim monitors sides, and the ship is ,
Then she touches another
lutton there is rafting OF chains, /
hud and thump the massive tackle
holding the vessel on the incline Is
oosed, and gently as the coming Of ,
pring morning the vast mass Of metal ,
lides down the creased path 1
nd plunges into the waters {
i the briny deep. And as she moves 4
II the queen in a distinct voice says I
Success to the Royal Arther.7 Again !
he cannons roar, the princess join the ,
leople in shouts of JOY and in the way
ng Of hats and handkerchiefs. The :
and strikes cp God Save the Queen.
nd the ceremonies are ended and an- s
ther implement Of war and destruction q
S added to the navy OF the Christian
ation. The ceremony OF naming the Q
arger and greatest war ships ever built
n England, the "Royal Sovereign.
olowed as soon as the rOvar procession
ould get to the proper dock some half
nile away The cost OF this latter sh q o
3 put down as above S5.W00Q0 and Is
he iirst Of seven OF this type of armored
far ships. IL is the hoast as il seems &C
'e the purpose Of England to have not
My the greatest navy. but that her
.ghung strength az sea shall be equal
o the combined navies Of the world.