The age-herald., 1901-03-31
News from 2oudOu 9owN


 States, has brought me scores of letters and patches of newspapers eagerly dis cussing the topic. It seemed to me that three home secretaries of such different oalibre as Mfr Henry Matthew Mir. As- quith and Sir Mathew White Ridley. hay Ing in succession carefully studied the pa- pers dealing with the case, and each come to the same conclusion, was strong evidence in support of the finding of the jury. One influential journal, In close ly-reasoned article, pertently points out that in each case the home secretary ould have placed at his disposal for the formation of Judgment precisely the same documents
 Queen Alexandra preserves the almost youthful appearance that was the marVei of the Princess of Wales. To see her with her daughters ever suggests the idea that she so far from being a grand mother Is their elder sister senior by a year or at most two. The phenomenon is explained by ladies who speak with authority on this occult matter on the ground that her majesty owes much to what Is delicately called "artistic treat ment." There are clrcumstancial stories of the time and means employed in the daily makeup" An eminent specialist in frequent attendance at Sandringham and Marlborough House tells me this tittle-tattle Is much exaggerated. He has had occasion professionally to see her Majesty in such dshabille as Is pos sible to royal ladies and found her look ing very much the same as on state oc- casions Another rumor greatly exagger- ates her deafness She Is not of very quick caring but in the family circle no difficulty in carrying on conversation Is experienced
 The select committee. appointed by the Secretary of State for War to inquire into the war office system and report on pos- sible methods for improvement, Is hard at work. Meeting three days week and usually sitting for six hours. 1t beats the record In the matter of attendance. It is expected it will have completed it's la bors in time to place its report in MT. Brodericks hands before the Whitsun holidays. One of the members tells me that if the public expects any sensational recommendations they will be disappoin- ed. The tern1s of reference were so care fully framed that when the committee approach certain crucial questions they find themselves pulled up by it's limits. An incidental result of our labors." my informant said, will be the vindication of Lord Lansdowne from alleged laches in not having over-ridden the e.Iisting system III COnneCIlOn WllH lne III South Africa. If 1t takes us three days a week through three months to master
 the intricacies of the system, discover where 1t falls and suggest Improvements, 1t could scarcely be expected that in the midst of preparation for big war the Secretary of State instantly and unaided could have achieved that end.''
 The slice of bride cake served out at Queen Victoria's wedding sold the other day at public auction for ten pounds. lit- orally takes the cake in the matter of od- dity of souvenirs of the late Queens long life. More interesting, as going still fur ther back. is a square of pink satin in possession of private gentleman. On 1t is printed the following legend, proper ly displayed "On Thursday, the eighth of November, MDCCCxXXII. Her Royal HiRhness the Duchess of Kent and her illustrious daughter, the Princess Victo- ria, condescended to visit the University Printing Office. Oxford" This is an ex- ample of an ancient courtly custom pre- vailing at this famous printing establish ment of producing in the presence of distinguished visitor a specimen of the printers craft In one of the rooms at the University Press there is framed on the wall another keepsake, as they are called printed on white moire antique. This records a visit paid to the house in 1885 by Queen Adelaide. wife of King William ". At the date of the visit of the Duchess of Kent. her daughter was in her thirteenth year. But it will be perceived that already the glory of the throne shone upon her Whilst her moth CT Is simply Her Royal Highness," the child was "illustrious"
 HENRY W. LUCY.