The times., 1901-04-28
PRESENTS TO A TITLED PAIR.
Kind Regards for the Duke and
Duchess of Cornwall.
From Tit-Bits.

The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and
York have lately been inundated with
presents, most of them apsolutely use
less for their forthcoming tour to
Australia Some of these presents nave,
of course, been sent by their royal high-
nesses' personal friends, but most OF
them have been presented by enterpriSlnS
business people and firms, simply IS the
means Of advertising themselves and
a Certain chemist. much concerned
about his royal highness' health, lately
sent TO York House a huge packet con-
tanning several hundreds OF powders.
specially made UP for the royal party as
q cure for seasckuess.' When the duke
saw these powders he said to Sir Francis
Laking. who was with him at the time:
Well Sir Francis, if that chemist eX-
poets me to take these speclaly maze up
powders for seasickuess,' he ought to have
sent them with specially made up
stomach
ceived from a gentleman possessing an
inventive turn of mind = most elabOrately
constructed ife-saving apparatus. Full
direCtions-very full indeed-were sent
with this apparatus as to how it had to
be worked when occasion required Be
fore his royal highneSS could use 1t,
however he would have TO blow through
a certain tube for at least two or three
minutes and then the machine. specially
made for his royal highnesS be it said.
would be in perfect working order. The
duke, ever courteous ever humorous
Il
ten as follows TO the gentleman who sent
this life-saving apparatus: The blowing
machine so kindly sent to York House has
been duly blown by his royal highness.'
The meaning of this is deliciously and
of course Intentionally, ambiguous.
Two hundred doctors and more than a
hundred clergymen have offered their
services free of charge simply to
have the honor of accompanying the
royal party to Australia. Il wonder how
many doctors they think it takes to xiii
a prince said the duke, laughingIy, to
the duchess, as he casually looked
through the letters of these loyal appli-
cants. (which do you think would be the
better or worse" thOughtfully queried the
duchess; Ito be physicked by 200 doc
tors or 'sermoned' by 100 parsons" L
don't know" replied the duke. without
the slightest hesitation; lit would mean
death in either casei'
To all those who are lucky enough to
be born on the day that their royal high
resses first step on to Australian ground
the duchess is giving a charming case
containing a silver spoon and fork
The duke, as a remembrance is Civ
ing a sOVeregu-half sovereign himself
and half a sovereign from our King Ed
ward. There Is Il somewhat pretty little
tale in connection with this present. His
royal highness asked the King what he
thought would be a suitable mementO of
his visit-could his Majesty suggest some
little keepsake for the Australian chill
dren2 Half a sovereign yourSelf-why
not give half a sovereign said the King,
good-humoredly. We'll. sir replied the
duke very smartiy, las | am represent
ing a sovereign. why not present a soy
eregn?' The King was So pleased with
the witty reply of the duke that he i'm
mediately promised to give the same
amount as the Duke of Cornwall. and thus
the little ones who first see the light on
the day that their royal highnesses land
on Australian soil will be presented with
a sovereign and silver spoon and fork
apiece,