The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-06-29
PRINCESS OF WALES DAY
Celebrated by Giving Dinners to Thou
sands OF the Poor of

London, June 24.-The princess IF
Wales jubilee dinners to the poor today
We're very successful. About 5000 dem
Zens Of the slums were sumptuously
entertained at the various centres.
The princess, accompanied by the
prince of Wales, Princess Victoria, of
Wales, and Prince and Princess
Charles, of Danmark, visited the prin-
cipal halls where the feasts were given.
The places visited by the royal party
were the Peoples palace, in the east
end of London; the central hall, Hol-
born; and the Wesleyan school house, at
C~lerkenwell. At the Peoples palace
the royal visitors were received by the
lord ~ Sir George Faudel-Phil-
lips, and the lady mayoress. The
guests there consisted of 1000 ragged
children. After the national anthem
had been sung. the children We're serv-
ed with a good feast of roast beef, po-
tatOeS, pies, tartS, blancmange, jellies,
apples, ranges and ice cream. The
fare at the other places was the same.
The children at the Peoples palace
were all ~cripples. They were wheeled
in in bath chairs, limped on crutches
into the banquet hall, or were carried
in.
AS oon as the rJpal party reached
the platform, two little cripples pre-
scented bouquets of flowers to the prin-
cess Of Wales and to the lady mayoress.
The scene was an affecting one and
nearly all eyes became moist at the
sight of SC many little sufferers.
The prince of Wales, in behalf of the
princess, expressed the pleasure which
it afforded them in being able to bring
some degree of happiness to the chill
dren. He called for cheers for the
| queen, which were heartily given.
The members Of the royal party
then lac a tOu of the hall and be-
fore leaving, the princess of Wales
took up a glass of ginger ale, which had
been served to one of the little Grip
pies and emptied it to the health of
the children.
At the Central hall, Holborn, 100
people, young and old, partook Of the
banquet. AS soon as the royal party
entered the hall the food was appar-
entity forgotten. All present st1d up
and cheers after cheer shook the build
ing. On making a tom of the room,
the princess Of Wales turned to an old
Irish woman and expressed the hope
that she had partaken of a good din
ner. To this the old woman replied:
God bless you, dear" and patted the
princess on the shoulder. The mem
bers of the royal party shook hands
with and spoke encouraging words to
many ragged waits.
The same scenes were witnessed at
ClerkenWell. This has e1nphatically
been the princess of Wales day and
her idea of giving a treat to the poor
has been rOWned with the greatest
success. She was everywhere received
with enthusiasm. The day was very
hot and the princess Wore a simple
white muslin dress.
At the Peoples palace, the princess
herself made the first block of ice
cream With a patent freezer, to the de-
light of the children.
At the various adults feasts. it was
at first decided not to allow beer to be
served, but the lady mayoress inter
coded, and all present had a "reasona-
bic allowance"
The princess of Wales requested the
ford mayor to deliver a message to all
the diners as follows:
although I am unfortunately una
BILE to be present at all the dinners fer
my poor, I shall be With them in spirit.
Hoping that they will enjoy themselves
and give three cheers for their queen"