The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-08-02
FOURTH OF JULY In LONDON.
An Indianapolis Woman Tells How
the Day Was Celebrated.

The following is from a private letter
written by Miss Sarah A. Kinder, of this
city. TO a friend here and is interesting
as showing how our cherished national
holiday is utilized abroad for advertising
purposes-probably by thrifty foreigners
rather than by native Americans. AT least
il is more agreeable to believe that genuine
Americans would have displayed the flag
of their country on the occasion of the
meet
AS an American who had never known
anything else than an old-fashioned Fourth
of July, with it's booming of cannon and
it's stars and stripes, it's parade to Yankee
Doodle" its patriotic airs and its Declara-
ton of Independence. / must say that 1 felt
more than an ordinary interest to know
how the Americans in this city would cele-
brate such an important event. The news
papers had announced an observance. but
it was not till the morning of the Fourth.
under the head OF coming events that the
following programme appeared: AS down
the main road they went, twenty-four
American vehicles Of eighteen different pat
terms, mostly with one horse, and filled
with gaily dressed occupants, made fast
time and were soon lost to view and the
meet was over, and the crowd dispersed.
To an American the sight was nothing
new. for we are accustomed to much var
iety, but to the Englishman. who uses the
cumbersome ~four-wheelers'' and heavy
harness to be driven by liveried coachmen,
four-in-hand, there may have been more
cause for admiration, as we'll as for the
prediction that a boom is imminent for
American manufactures. Be that as it may
fha nn~Ac x-Lat Ia 80: s1.s--
meet" to do with an American Fourth of
July when there was no insignia of their
nationality? 1t was presumable that they
were Americans. but we had to guess at it
and any other day would nave done
as well to show off their commodities
Not a flag or a tri-colored ribbon was to
be seen on the grounds. or even a hint in
the slightest way that they were a part
OF the celebration, and went to prove that
1t was not an oversight. but a customary
omission for perhaps like occasions re-
gardless of national event. ! had TO smile
at my own creduity. however. in suppos-
ing that a tiny flag or ribbon would be in
order, and conspicuous and alone / would
have been. had / succeeded I'm securing one.
as | tried to do and failed, for want of time
and opportunity.
The reception given by the ambassador
and Mrs. Bayard was largely attended. and
as a public function. free from ceremony
and very pleasant. The official residence is
of stone, large and commodious. but like
most of London houses, OF a smoky color
and uninviting without. The entrance.
through a portico into a broad hall. was
hung with American flags. a most grateful
sight to See, as also up the white marble
stairway, leading to the upper landing. and
drawing rooms. Here the visitor was met
by the reception committee, distinguished
by b~outonnieres of striped red, white and
blue ribbon, and by one of their number
introduced to ambassador and Mrs. Bay
ard, who stood in a small room quite near.
and gave a most cordial welcome to all.
A brilliant scene presented itself in the
three drawing rooms with their archways
and frescoes, their mirrors and rich fur
rishings. all enhanced by the handsome
toilets OF the guests. while a profusion of
flowers and ribbons in our national colors
was displayed from every nook and corner
to tell us that il was, indeed. an American
independence day.
ambassador Bayard is past middle life.
tall and vigorous, with heavy dark hair
turning gray. an earnest, expressive face
and penetrating eyes and an easy, cordial
manner. Mrs. Bayard is younger some
what, but not with marked disparity OF
age. She is of the blonde type. of average
height and delicate physique, with bright
blue Eyes and an animated face. In a
quiet, unaffected way she received every
one most gracefully. She was plainly at
tired In gray silk without ornament, and
gray kid gloves. / had not seen them be-
fore and was impressed by the thought
that both are too sensible TO be spoiled by
royalty or their relation TO this govern
nent, though so full of honors.
AS the visitors departed from the recep-
ton the dining room below came In for its
share of attention. and with its flags and
lavish In hospitality and a fitting close for
q very pleasant social event.
American Independence Day Driving
Observation-Disclosures Park. 1870. Recep-
ton by Embassador and Mrs. Bayard, . TO
g. So Eaton square"
To the enthusiastic this was sufficient
and by the noon hour hundreds of persons.
on foot and in carriages. had assembled in
beautiful Hyde Park and were occupying
its long rows OF seats and driveways To
Witness the coming Of the American driy-
irs meet An air OF expectancy was on
every face and every eve turned towards
the starting point. The sun shone herccly
down and would have been intolerable but
for the stiff breezes from the "Serpentlne'
and grateful shade from the grand old
trees. One o'clock soon came and still THE
crowd awaited the signal. which, perhaps
came by the waving OF the hand. The
police stepped aside and the dash was on,
As another item of interest the American
Society of London gave a banquet that day
at which ambassador B2yard delivered an
address upon the relations of the two coun-
tries. Toasts were offered to the Queer
and the President of the United states and
a most happy feeling prevailed, &c the en-.
l tire satisfaction OF all