The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-07-17

the sidewalks, making the policemen S
| duties seemingly not SO very arduous, In
| front of these officials were the Queen s
guard of honor, in brilliant scarlet coats.
| who lined the entire route of the process
sion on both sides making q most impos.
ing sight. Much merriment was occas
Toned by the crowd raining pennies in the
street for the small street sWeeper to
scramble for; they finally came so thick
and fast he laid down his cap and broom
and gathered them up with both hands
doubtless thankful for his copper" jubi-
lee. The Lord Mayor, as he cantered by
on his way to receive the Queen, was
greeted by laughing cheers; he looked ex-
tremely funny Though Sir Edwin Arnold
| thought differently as hatless and hair
less, his purple cloak waving in the
breeze, and brandishing heavy sword he
passed US.
The chief interest, aside from royalty,
centered in the magnificent troops 10000
strong representing Her Maiesty's forces.
1t was indeed glorious sight. Nearly
all were mounted on superb horses. Life
Guards, Dragons, Hussars, Lancers,
Colonial troops dazzled the eye with their
different uniforms and won admiration
by their soldierly bearing. The Indian
Contingent was loudly applauded, as
Royal Princes. In the fifth carriage in
company with the Spanish and French
representatives rode the United States
| special Ambassador, Mr.. Whitelaw Reid
conspicuous by his black coat. tall silk
hat and extremely severe expression of
| riages, most of them filled with the grand
ladies OF the court and the royal Princess
es; all in lovely light costumes and bon
| nets to match. Following these came in
Vulnerable representatives of all the
crowned heads of Europe; then, amid
deafening cheers and wild waving Of
handkerchiefs, the band began to play
"God save the Queen" and slowly came
the light cream-colored horses, covered
with .glistening trappings, and we saw
'the sight" of the day. In the large state
carriage sat the Queen looking remark
ably well in a becoming black and white
bonnet and dress of the same combina-
ton and carrying white satin parasol;
opposite her sat Princess Christian. and
the Princess of Wales-the latter charm
ing in an exquisite creation of pale violet.
After these more soldiers, the beefeaters
from the Tower in their queerly quaint
costumes, the colonial procession, the
Premiers and their wives, numerous
troops on foot and mounted, and then
the most gorgeous, magnificent pageant
we ever expect to witness, the great
Diamond Jubilee procession was ended.
Ten minutes later the throng had dis
persed and we had taken our train for St.
Johns Wood
Our thirst for crowd was more than
quenched in the evening, when we set
forth to see the grand illuminations. Our
goal was Marlborough House. In passing
down st. James street we had, in one
instant, our "hearts desire;" we were in
| the midst of a dense mass of humanity,
but good natured and disposed to be right
merry; Madam" anxiously asked re-
that baby's iifeP'' We thought it
natural enquiry as we looked down upon
small woman holding tiny three
months old infant, lightly clasped in her
arms. ooh! am so tired walled a
four year old boy, and to our horror the
mother set the little fellow down ON a
trample him to death. By far the most
graceful, unique decorations we have
seen, are on St. James street from Plea
dilly to Pail Mall. Two immense gold
and white pillars are placed on either side
at the head and foot of the street; start
ing from these and crossing and entwin-
| ing overhead the entire length of the
| street. are garlands of roses and green
leaves. from which depend light baskets
filled with trailing vines and flowers; in
| Vulnerable colored electric lights outline
the festoons and the effect is singularly
novel and enchanting. Every house bear
devices In dazzling lights, and profuse
|
course OF people surging now right now
left, carry us toward Piccadilly with its
million lights; suddenly they catch sight
of the Baroness Burdett- Coutts standing
on the balcony, and loudly cheer her for
her many acts of charity. We discover
that to relinquish our own volition, and
be carried by the wave of this sea of
humanity is our only way, and by SO do
ing, we are finally enabled to reach spot
where we can draw long breath and
turn toward home well pleased to escape
sound OF limb, and satisfied with our ex-
perience Of London crush.
| How is 1t possible in this last London
letter to sum up all the. delights and Won
ders OF our stays We have not written of
Sarasate," that wizard of the violin,
who held us spell bound by his matchless
playing; now delicate and dainty as we
imagine must be the tread of fairy feet;
again, full and resonant his tones, as
though a hundred skilled fingers were
concealed beneath his ten. We have not
sons with Mr. Virgil on our fayorite
Practice Clavier. Did we not see and
hear on her opening night in London
Bernhardt, the Incompatible? The
drama was "Lorenzaccio, certainly the
most dreary waste of words we ever en-
countered. The play is singularly devoid
of scenery and situation. And why in
1 1919
a woman ever assume male role? The
masquerade is evident in every movement
and gesture; no one is affected by the
display of passion, and though the
4'divine Sarah" tore it in tatters, we were
left cold as icebergs. Doubtless many
will say 1t was owing to our unfamiliarity
with the language, aud we admit we may
have lost many Of the finer touches, but
surely with comprehensive synopsis of
the play, some knowledge of French, and
seats favorably situated in the very CEN
tire Of the house. we ought to have realized
the bold, telling strokes; but in our hum
bic opinion there were none to realize
Bernhardt's acting was, of course, superb
but 'Lorenzaccio" cannot have pleased
the. public, for it was billed for two weeks
and was withdrawn at the end of one.
Space fails us to tell of the beautiful
statue Of Siddons, unveiled by Sir Henry
Irving and of his most graceful charater-
istic speech, of operas, of Richter and
Motel concerts but we must describe the
Commemoration concert Sunday after
noon June 20th We sat with "beaming
eye'' and smile deliphted before a note