New-York tribune., 1903-03-05
LONDON NOTES.
Royal CerensoniaLs and AdRsinist ydtiUe
EaRWence-Eeonomy of Bridge.

London. February Is.
With the opening Of Parliament there is fresh
evidence Of the splendoF with which royal func-
tions are stage managed in the new reign.
There has besl. brilliant pageant in the Mall
and in Whitehall foF the benent of u multitude
Of spectators and there has been q gorgeous
tableau in the House OF Lords for the enter
taInnsnt Of the titled class. the foreign em-
bassies S7o smart -ociety. Street pageant and
ceremonial tabiesu have been managed equally
well 1t could -Iok be otherwise when the King
has q conspicuous talent for ordering and dress
ing royal functions. and when he has unrivalied
distinction Of manner and pose for state occa-
sions and q resonant voice which fills the House
Of Lords in the delivery Of g speech from the
throne The ceremonial aspects Of royalty are
brilliantly and impressiVely presented in this
reign. The King is q greater master Of detail
than George " Wa in his time. Re has OBJ
tanned an increased civil list. and offers the
houses OF Parliament and his subjects q full
return in public exhibitions Of the power and
sTlendors of monarchy. There are no affecta-
tions Of democratic simplicity such as were
known in the reign Of Loui~ Philippe in France;
and there is no evidence that the English people
desire hypIay OF this kind. Monarchy would
cease TO be popular If it were conducted q
shabby genteel institution, carelessy housed,
dressed and staged and economically managed.
are in accord with the glory and prestige of the
capital OF 8 worldwide empire.
The Kings speech, while similar III form and
phFasing tc The Victoria speeches from the
throne bears intense evidence OF royal influence
and supervision in public affairs. The Irish
Land bill, which occupies the first place in the
legislative programme the session, is an
noUnced q measure designed tc complete
series OF tentative and unfinished policies. It
cannot be doubted that while the ministers have
remained the responsible agents of administra-
ton under the control Of Parliament, the King
has been deeply interested in the settlement of
the Irish land question the lines of the recent
conference between representative landowners
and champions of the tenants. 1t is not neces-
sary to assume that he been unduly In
fuenced by his friendship for Mr. Gladstone;
nor that he is in any sense a convert to Home
Rule in Dublin. 1t ls evident that he has de-
sired reconciliation of races in Ireland pre-
ciseIy SIS he eager to have peace in South
Africa; and that he has considered an invest
rnent OF public money as useful in one case as
in the other. End las employed the resources
of his exalted station in legitimate way to
facilitate and hasten settlement. Mr.. Wynd-
hams bill has not yet been produced. and 1t
would be hazardous and premature to forecast
its reception by the landowners and by Mr. Red
mond and the Hatienalsts. Unless all signs
fail, a settlement of the land question is in
sight; and the King will be Justly entitled to
g considerable share of the credit for sympa-
thetic and practical treatment cf the Irish ques-
tion. The King is playing great part in the
administrative policies well as in the cere-
nonial functions.
The popularity Of bridge is explained by the
faithful Jenkins as one Of the sequels to war
which has cost the nation f25o0O0oo0 Re
trenchment in the current expenses of hospi-
talIty has been rendered necessary by income
taxation and shrinksge Of receipts from divi-
denas and stock exchange operations; and
bridge parties are economical The number Of
guests is restricted; expenses for flowers and
music are reduced; and even the poorest and up-
luckiest players can pocket an upbrokel sue
cession Of losses at the card table and have a
large balance on the right side from savings in
the general cost ef the entertainment Of their
guests. If Jenkins be Fight-and who ques-
tion his superior knowledge Of the manner OF
life Of the people one ought TO know?-the
smart SETS instead of popuiarizing gambling for
stakes small large, enforcing the oldtime,
homely virtues OF domestic economy when they
have bridge parties every day in the week, Sun
day included! They are substituting small for
large dinner parties. dispensing with extrava-
gence and big entertainments, enabling people
Of moderate means to compete with the great
houses and creating an atmosphere of pleasur-
able excitement in dull times, when small econ
eTnies have to be considered. Retrenchment is
one Of the vagaries of smart society with which
Jenkins is in sympathetic touch. He can ex-
change views this important subject with
tire Court Newsrnan, and then speak with air
of authority.
Whatever may be the truth about the su-
perior economy Of bridge parties. it is certain
that London has not been converted into a
brilliant capital with the King in residence in
buckingham Palace. Royalty does what It can
promote reVeI Of gsyety by opening Par
lament in state. ordering the usual number OF
levees before Easter. and promising many as
two evening courts before the beginning Of the
regular season. Even with the adventitious aid
ef court functions, there iE no promise Of q
brilliant social revsI before or after Easter.
The new rules Of the Commons favor weekend
parties. but interfere with political dinners and
receptions The Speakers residence is the
scene Of Parliamentary levees. dinners and FRI
day afternoon teas; but this is q non-partisan
aud perfunctory form OF political entertainment.
Lansdowne House IS the chief social centre on
the government side. with Devonshire and Lon
donderry Houses also available for big dinners
and e few parties; but there is little entertain
n2ent 1t the residences of ministers. Lady Hicks
Beach no longer being a Cabinet hostess, and
the Prime Minister containing himself with
small dinners and parties in Downing Street
On the Opposition side there is even less promise
Of political entertaining. Lord RosebeFy's plans
not being announced, Sir Henry Canpbell-Ban-
nerman's residence In Gresvenor Square being
little used, and Lord Brassey. Lord TBeedmouth
and Sir Arthur Hayter being the principal Lib
eraI hosts There are unmistakable signs Of the
decline Of political entertaining. A large pro-
portion Of the members Of the Commons leave