The Washington times., 1901-11-10
.IB EUROPEAN TOPICS.
A Revival of Musical Pageants at
King Edwards Court.
Orders for Velvet for Coronation
Robes Cause Observation-Disclosures
Reason for Turkeys Financial
Sfraits-Foreign Goods in England.

Robes Cuuse Observation-Disclosures
Reason for Turkeys Financial
Sfraits-Foreign Goods in England.
Although the music at court has not Of
late years been held in very high esteem,
IL is it seems, the intention of King Ed
ward to recall some of its earlier glories.
We may even indeed have some sort of
modern revival of the pageants for which
Handel composed his beautiful Water
Music although in the present day riv-
er fireworks and other aquatic high jinks
are more likely to be held on the Upper
Thames than upon the route chosen in
Handers days by King George and his
Queen when. as we learn, attended by
numerous suite, the Royal party proceed
ed by water from Whitehall to Lime
house; Handel, with Baron Kielmann-
segge, following the Royal barge in
boat, in which the instrumentalists per-
formed the Water Music"
Limehouse Reach, two centuries ago,
when Handel was alternating between
Burlington House and Barn Elms, may
have been the ideal place to spend a hap
Ply day. But times have now changed,
and King Edward will probably prefer to
hold his water fetes at Hampton Court
or Windsor. Then there is talk of a Sc
ries of visits to the opera in semi-state.
with beefeaters on duty at the box doors
and along the corridors. as in the early
years of Queen Victoria. A Coronation
concert at the Albert Hall is also quite
on the cards: while both Buckingham Pal
ace and Windsor Castle have stage room
for private theatricals and operas. Also,
rs in the days when Msndelssohn and
lisZt visited Queen Victoria, great eX-
ecutants may be expected to give per-
formances before the royal family, an
honor which l believe has, since the last
demise of the Grown, been enjoyed solely
by NJ. I<ubelik. The Kings private band,
which forms the nucleus of the State band
that plays at the Buckingham Palace con-
certs. will also, it is officially stated, be
called upon far more frequently than hith-
erto to play before royalty, whether at
dinner or elsewhere. Accordingly the
members are not little interested con-
cerning the question as to what their
salary is likely TO be.
The private band has been out of work
since the death of Queen Victoria, but
the period of mourning is happily drawing
TO a close, and the duties and emoluments
attaching to these and similar Court ap-
pointments have. of course. to be recon
sidered Last week, Sir Walter Parratt
was gazetted Master of the Music" a
post which carries with it the conductor
ship of the private band; and the per-
formers themselves are, learn, being en-
gagged. The master of music gets $500
year, a fairly good allowance, although by
no means too munifcent an income for
the work which he has TO undertake. The
private bandsmen are, however. paid at
much lower rate, namely. at from $50
"a year for the ripieni to e109 a year for
the leaders. Also if they play out of
town their railway ticket is. of course,
bought for them; and they likewise re-
cetve a guinea day for expenses.
The uniforms resplendent affair cost
ing. l am told, in some cases, a whole |
years income per man-is provided for |
them, and the various articles of attire |
are Tparked so plentifuily with the royal |
arms that. when a few years since, the |
house of Mr.. BetjemanIs. one of the royal |
violinsts, was burgIed during his autumn !
holidays. the thief was discovered when |
he tried to pawn one of her late Majesty's !
silk stockings. The bandsman's salary, |
which starts at e1 week, was fixed |
nearly seventy years ago. 1t certainly
does not err on the side of over-liberality,
but King Edward is not the man to stint
the poor professional. and if, as is threat
Il have no doubt will be the pay.
n the late Queens time the band was
very rarely called upon, and indeed the
average was not much more than twenty
FIVE times year. Moreover as most of
these calls" were to Windsor, the guinea
a day for expenses became an important
addition to the fee. more especially as the
musicians were, OF course. entertained
from the royal larder. At that time, how
ever, a pension was attached to the Of
fee but this. in accordance with the ef-
forts now being made at increased econ
ony in court expenses, viii, it is said, |
be abolished. Il matter which the bands |
men consider so great hardship that the !
court officials will probably reconsider |
their decision. It is further due to the |
members OF the private band to say that
although the occasions on which they are |
wanted have hitherto been few, yet the !
calls" have trick Of coming at awf- |
ward times, and at extremely short no |
tice. Intimation Is usuallr sent by tele- |
gram, frequently long after the musician |
has left his home.
Deputies" are not allowed in The I
Kings band. save in the case OF Illness, /
and the kilograms have TO follow the per |
former all over the place. whereupon he |
has Immediately to leave the work he /
IS engaged on, whether d rehearsal a les |
son, or 4 performance, and to hurry TO |
the royal command II some fair notice |
TO be wanted. it would save them much 1
inconvenience. aud often good deal of /
expense in the obtaining of deputies for 4
concerts and other work which they have !
undertaken.
There are only thirty-four players in the /
private band, but these. OF course, are |
very considerably re-enforccd for the !
three state concerts given at Buckingham |
Palace during the Fashionable season. and |
for these state concerts. l believe. there |
Is small extra fee. Notwithstanding the |
modest stipend there Is considerable COM |
petition for membership of the private !
hand. partly for the honor. partly he |
cause the salary. though small. is sure. |
Also. / understand the members of the |
band have the right to call themselves /
esquire privilege which. / fear they |
would willingly exchange for a few gu- /
meas while these who can afford to keen
n carriage are at liberty. wit hout breach !
of court etiquette, TO allow their coach
men to mount the cockade. So At any |
rate IL is understood although 7 am |
bound to say that on their present sti- 1
pend OF G. week none Of the members
OF the private band have yet ventured |
Iipon any more ambitious two-horse yC- |
hicle than the omnbus.-London Truth.