New-York tribune., 1900-04-16
IRISH NOTES.
THE QUEEN AS A BUSINESS PROMOTER
A STUDY IN HOLIDAY DECORATIONS
DUBLIN IN A FROLIC-

revival Of the English tourist trade There
a new note in Kiliarneys wild echoes The
srav dawn was breaking and the horn Of the
tourist hunter heard on the Mills The
opening Of new hotels and the inrush OF anglers.
cyclists golfers and holiday makers had In
pressed the dullest villagers and the most hope
less beggars Of the south coast with the reality
and utility of industrial progress. and in the
picturesque reaches of Connemara and Donegal
there were signs OF reaction against despon-
dency and despair. In Dublin to-day there is
the same hopeful feeling and IL Is based upon
the improved relations of the island with Eng
land. The Queen has been welcomed 20 The
capital not only gracious sovereign, who
had expressed her gratitude for the services OF
the brave Irish troops. but also as the promoter
of the business interests of the Island. The
Irish may not be thrifty. but they are shrewd.
They fully alive TO the commercial i'm
portance of the Queens visit. The ''jarveys" are
already whispering that there may be millions
in it for dear. dirty Dublin"
The influence of the royal visit trade has
been felt from the day when the Lord Lieu
tenant announced the Queens intention o.,
abandoning her journey to Italy and spending
a few weeks in Ireland Workmen at once
found employment in repairs houses and
roadways and in the refrigeration OF drawing
rooms and interiors. Tradesmen enlarged their
stocks in view Of the presence OF an enormous
crowd Of visitors in Dublin during the gala
days OF the Queens visit. Hundreds OF stands
constructed and balconies built out from
house fronts. and the town was decorated in
unexampled manner. The preparations for the
Queens reception involved large expenditure
OF money. first and last, and tradesmen and
working people have been prohting this week b.
the town shows. The functions OF the Vice
Regal Court will be conducted with unwonted
and sDleDdOr during April and the
venerable castle will be flied with movement
and with the glitter of pageantry- These are the
immediate effects of the Queens visit and there
will be important ulterior consequences
The Queens example will be followed by her
subjects. They will come 10 ireland in great
swarms during the summer and autumn There
will be a revival OF English and American tour
ist travel unexampled scale, and this will
be substantial gain to the business interests Of
the island.
Both Dublin and Ireland have deserved a
larger patronage from English and American
travellers than has been bestowed during re-
cent years. With the single exception OF Edin-
burgh. the Irish capital is the handsOmest city
in the United Kingdom The broad semicircular
plateau. pierced by the river Lirey. Is encom-
passed with an impressive amphitheatre OF hills
and seaward there is a capacious harbor. with
picturesque headlands. The city is worthy Of
lined with well constructed quays; the main
thoroughfares are adorned with stately archi-
lecture, majestic monuments and imposing
statues; Phoenix Park Is pleasure ground Of
noble proportions. and St Stephens Green and
the other parks well kept and beautiful:
there Is an air Of hustle and activity in tha
street: the Sheibourne and other hotels
among the best in the kingdom and there Is a
complete system of electric street-cars which IA
other. Dublin. instead OF being a faded and
desolate capital with an aspect Of declining
fortunes and abject poverty. is one OF the most
alert hopeful and interesting cities OF Europe.
1t is also the gateway for Journeys south, west
and north TO the most glorious coast scenery OF
the United Kingdom. Both Dublin and ireland
have been neglected by tourists during recent
years. but unless all signs fail the Queens visit
will be pointer to direct many thousands Of
travellers during the next decade 10 OF ths
handsomest European capitals and TO one OF the
lOveliest and most picturesque countries.
Lest it may be assumed that these reflections
are unduly colored by the festive surroundings
of gala week OF popular rejoicings and reves.
I hasten to add that the decorations OF Dublin
streets neither better nor than those
ordinarily seen in the United Kingdom when the
Queen is received with public honors, The bulk
of the bunting. transparencies Venetian masts
and other properties has come from England
where 1t has been used on similar occasions. for
municipal decorators have large stock in trade
which Is brought out in city after another.
There more green flags. harps and sham
rock devices than are ordinarily seen when Lon
don and provincial towns called upon 10
celebrate the coming of royalty. but otherwise
the scenic properties much the same. Ths
effects of decoration perhaps finer than
those witnessed in English or Scotch towns. bu,
this is due in large measure 10 the superiority
of the Dublin streets There is no finer thor
oughfare in the United Kingdom than SackviIle-
St; College Green. with the majestic old Parlia-
ment House and the impressive FACADE OF Trinity
College. is something unique as an architectural
corner. and Dame and Grafton SITS lend theui-s
selves readily to the decorators art. Dublin has
been a splendid reve Of color during these fes-
tive days and nights. but II would be sxagger-
ated praise 10 assert that artistic results OF
hign oruer nave ueen witnessed 0y the tnrOnss
of spectators.
For example I would not hesitate describe
the Amsterdam celebration at the inauguration
of the young Queen Of Holland more artistic
in color and decorative effect than either ths
Dublin town show the London Jubilee. The
Dutch people have artistic strain IN the
blood which enables them 10 decorate their
houses. roadways. bridges and waterways with
light and airy grace and with natural blends
OF color. The processes are simple. and the es-
fects are harmonious and beautiful The road
ways are overhung with banners and streamsrs.
and the side fronts OF the buildings moderately
decorated; and a wonderful wealth Of color is
dnused up and down the avenues. Only one
thoroushfare in Dubln-Grafton-s Orna-
tad in