Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-07-19

--~S ~--A-~AeS S<AtAAS ~ tIICh dHlu ldoN hC
laid down his cap and broom and
gathered them up with both hands,
doubtless thanlcful for his copper"
jubilee. The Lord Mayor, as he cam
tered by on his way to receive the
Queen.was greeted by laughing cheers;
he looked extremely funny (though Sir
Edwin Arnold thought differently as
hatless and hairless, his purple cloak
waving in the breeze. and branishing
heavy sword he passed us.
The chief interest. aside from royalty.
centered in the magnificent troops so 900
strong representing Her sMaiestys forces.
It was indeed q glorious sight. Nearly
Guards. Dragons. Hussars, Iancers,
Colonial troops dazxled 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
nat and extremely severe expression of
countenance. There were seventeen car
RACES, most of them filled with the grand
ladies' OF the court and the royal princess
es; all in lovely light costumes and bon
tx - " HlutSu. ~ oiiOWiuS these came III
Vulnerable representatives OF all the
crowned heads of Europe; then. amid
deafeninS cheers and wild waving of
handkerchiefs, the band began to play
600 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-
n Wy tp IN ~.
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 a re-
spectacle individual, "have you insured
that babys life?' We thought it
natural enquiry as We looked down upon
months old infant, lightly clasped in her
arms. "Oh! I am so tired walled
four-year-old boy. and to our horror the
mother set the little fellow down on
curbstone whereit seemed the crowd must
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
decorations of bunting. The vast con-
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 a spot
where we can draw a long breath ana
turn toward home we'll pleased to escape
perience of "a London crush.
How is it possible in this last London
letter to sum up all the delights and Won
ders of our stay? 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
l.
sons with Mr.. Virgil on our favorite
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
the name of common sense we ask does
a woman ever assume Il male role? The
masquerade is evident in every movement
and gesture; no one is affected by the
display Of passion. and though the
"divine Sarah tore it in tatters. we were
left cold as icebergs. Doubtless many
will say it was OWNS, to our unfamiliarity
with the language. and we admit We may
have lost many of the finer touches. but
surely with Il comprehensive synopsis OF
the play, some knowledge of French, and
seats favorably situated in the very GEN.
tire of the house, we ought to have realized
the bold telling strokes; but in our hum
BILE opinion there were none to realize.
Bernhardt's acting was, of course, superb
but "LorenZaccio' cannot have pleased
the public. for 1T 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 character
stic speech, of operas. of Richter and
Motel concerts; but we must describe the
CommemOratiOn concert Sunday after
noon June Goth. We sat with "beaming
eye and smile, delighted before a note
was sung. at the idea that We were to
see Drs. Martin and Bridge leading Lon
don musicians. watch Randegger conduct
and see COWen. whose charming music
we love. The two favorite original COM
positions were Eaton Fannig's 1.-The
Queens Song" and Governs "Commem-
Grafton Ode both conducted by the COM
posers themselves. The former is a most
stirring song. the cymbals crash, the
bass drum bOoms, and it was small Won
der that the loyal subjects around us were
shouting bravos! There was however a
simplicity to Governs Ode. which pleased
us more, and brought forth cheers and re-
sounding applause from the audience.
They were wildly enthusiastic. joining in
the chorus. Victoria! Victoria! all
tongues upraise the STRAIN The concert
concluded with Mendelssohn's ever glori-
Gus Hymn of Praise Ben Davis's
beautiful tenor voice carrying off all the
solo honOrs. We recalled an evening
some years ago. when a leading Portland
tenor sang "Watchman will the night
soon pass?" and though there may have
been less volume of tone vet the IMPRESS