The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-06-02
Scenes Of Great SpIendor
Viewed at Buckingham
Palace.
FEW AMERICANS ARE PRESENT
Troubles Of the Princess Of Wales
Now Aired in the English
Press.

ICCClNCu ySStcIOdy GOlQ Vi lutcllS6 u6dI
which has been prevailing in New York,
and so it may interest people on the other
side of the Atlantic to know that London
has been sweltering in sympathy. This
| metropolis has had full week of blazing
sunshine and intense heat. On Thurs
day the thermometer registered SO de-
grees in the shade, the highest figure
recorded on May 80 in twenty-seven years.
But the heat has had good effect upon
certain lines of business, as ladies, in con-
sequence of the torrid weather, have been
wearing the hghtest and prettiest toilets;
the men in Hyde Park and other such
places during the mornings have been try
to keep themselves cool in gray hannels
and straw hats, which were exchanged in
the afternoons for white duck trousers and
frock coats. In fact, this cool costume was
worn even in the sedate House of Com
mons, and hundreds of ladies might have
been seen daily taking tea on the ter
race of the House of Commons. The
House proper, however, has been deserted,
while the terrace referred to has presented
one OF the gayest scenes indeed.
The state ball at Buckingham Palace on
Thursday last was the most brilliant affair
of the kind in years. The local majority
of the gentlemen wore very snowy uni
forms, their breasts covered with gIittering
orders, while the ladies in their charming
dresses and jewels formed a pretty con-
trast to the picturesque Afghans of the
suite of Nazrulla Kahn, whose gorgeous
Eastern robes added additional luster to
the scene. There was wonderful display
of gold plate in the supper-room. Many
of the richest and heaviest pieces were
fixed, as ornaments, to the walls, while the
tables and the magnificent buffet were COW
cred by some of the most valuable and
highly priced specimens of the goldsmith's
art. Besides this remarkable display of
gold ware, there were several Oriental show
pices, which were displayed in honor of
the Afghan prince. Among them was
peacock composed of precious stones and
valued at $4,000.
Two thousand invitations were issued
for the state ball. and it is safe to say that
more than that number of people were
present. The representatives of the royal
family entered the ballroom at II P. NJ. in
a procession headed by the Princess of
Wales and the Duchess of Saxe-Coburg-
Gotha, the great officers of state, with their
wands of office, walking backward before
the head OF the procession. Directly after
the members of the royal family were
seated dancing began. There were very
few Americans present, and it was notice
able that the published list of the persons
invited did not include the names OF Mr..
and Mrs. Ogden Goelet, Mr.. and Mrs. Rich
ard Winslow, or, in fact, of any of the
Prince of Wales Riviera friends. Lady
RpreSfOrd (tha nnnharo Of
was one of the Americans present. She
wore dress of pale brocade, ornamented
with beautiful violet flowers and wonder
full diamonds. Mrs. George Curzon, Mrs.
Joseph Chamberlain and Mrs. Hearst of
San Francisco were also present.
The English newspapers are now openly
abiding to the troubles and trials of
the Princess of Wales, the substance of
which was cabled to the Associated Press
at the time the Princess declined to repre-
sent Queen Victoria at the drawing-room
held at Buckingham Palace, when she was
informed that certain peeress to whom
the Prince has for many years paid much
attention was to be present.
Sketch, for instance, says that the Prin-
cess is greatly worried over certain private
bothers and that she only remains in Eng
land in Difference to hold the last drawing
room because she expected the presence
there OF certain parsonage frequently
discussed in the press.
All who know Afghanistan were well
convinced that neither the ruler nor his
heir apparent would leave their native
country. AS matter of courtesy the invi-
tatlon was addressed to the Ameer and the
latter accepted it, "health permitting"
but from the first all who are posted on
the subject were confident that the Ameer
would not leave Cabul. 1t was, however.
generally believed that the eldest son
would represent his father, and it was
somewhat of a disappointment when it
was announced that the second son-who.
by the way, is the child of slave woman
would visit the capital of his fathers ally.
Considerable difficulty as to the etiquette
to be observed was felt. and until about
week before the Princes arrival it had not
been settled how he was to be styled. AS
everything, however, has been smoothed
over, the authorities are seeking to impress
upon the young Afghan the greatness of
the British empire, and by this means to
confirm the Amer to his preference for
Great Britain over his near neighbor. Rus
STA.
From the moment the young Prince-he
is only % years of age-set foot on British
soil he was received in right royal form
and with every possible distinction. Ad-
dresses lnnumerabIe have been presented
to him. He has been received by the
highest officials everywhere, and his Jour
ney here was one long series of receptions.
The Prince, as already stated, brought
with him large suite and detachment of
Afghan troops. Being Mohammedan.
the religious peculiarities of the Mosiem
have had to be taken into consideration.
Among his attendants are a number of
cooks to prepare their leaders food in ac-
cordance with Moslem customs. He has
also In attendance upon him Colonel Tai
Dot OF the Foreign Department. of the
Indian Government, and T. A. Martin, the
Afghan agent.
throughout his six weeks stay in this
country the Prince will be received as the
Shahzada (son of King). He is attended
by royal escorts, has been received by the
queen, Is received by royalty, and will, in
!.