Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-06-06
HOW I WAS INNIGHTED.
Rather Humorous Description OF
the Ceremony.
(Chambers's Journal.)

Every one knows that the intimation
OF the intended honor usually comes from
the Prime Minister who briefly states
the grounds on which it IS proposed TO
confer It. In my case Lord Rosebery was
good enough to indicate the services l
had rendered the cause of art education
in Birmingham as n reason why l should
accept the distinction.
Having accepted it, 1 received an init
nation from the Home Secretary that l
was expected at Windsor on the 18th or
July. 1894, by the 1 o'clock train from
PaddingtOn, and that special carriages
had been reserved for the use of those
who. like myself, were going down to be
knighted. Arriving at Paddington in
good time. i soon discovered the Windsor
train. and presently found myself taking
neutrality-suspicious." Several gentlmen
were walking up and down the platform
in an apparently unconcerned manner,
after having scrutnized the labels oil the
carriage-windows, while others were
somewhat neryously questioning the
porters. Having made sure of the car
riages while only two or three people
were about, l went TO the other side Of
the platform and pretended TO have no
further interest in the matter all the
while keeping my eye on the steadily in
creasing number Of arrivals. Presently two
gentlemen passed me, and L heard one
say: I'm sure he's One! and then had
no doubt that they were bent on the same
errand. Windsor train, gentlemen,
said the guard; SO we took our seats and
began to look at each other.
AT windsor station We found carriages
awaiting us. and were soon on our way
TO the castle, being set down at a princi-
pal entrance. There was no one TO re-
ceivc us, and no response to the bell
pulling, so we ventured TO open Tho doof
and entered unlimited: still no one came
4 e..I su..a.
overcOatS and hats, and became quite at
home until we should be discovered. Pre-
sently very fine specimen OF ,hr Ygen-
temen's gentleman" came rapidly down
staircase saying In rattle. naughty
manner: Gentlemen, gentlemen. this Is
not the way in!' But we were I'm, and
did nc. offer TO go out again, 50 he took
us along a gallery to another entrance
hail. where we left our hats, etc. Then
we were taken through some more gall
leries, in one OF which / met Lord Rose
berry to whom [ had previously been in
troduced. After a little chat L amused
Lord Rosebery by telling him that my
daughter had Informed me that / re-
minded her Of the longest day because L
was the shortest knight! CYou know l am
not tall) He said 1t was very good, and
at the same time very bad" of her.
Present we were summoned TO lunch
con. which was laid in one or the gal
leres, and served on silver plates. IL
was a very nice cold "collation," ending
with an excellent hot rice pudding and
dessert A gentleman sitting next to me
had evidently formed extrayagant IDEAS
of what royal grapes should be. for he
said, in somewhat grumbling tones, that
he "grew better at home"
After luncheon we were marshailed in
room ,adjoining the. Queens small au-
dienceF chamber. and were then given a
few instructions as to the. order OF pro-
ceedng. But before going down to Wind
sor | had taken the precaution to inter-
view a gentleman who had already gone