The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-08-02

the stranger. ever though that stranger be
a woman within the gates and an Ameri-
can.
Arriving at Aldershot, military encamp-
ment cny. there was medley or Carriages.
coaches, cabs, etc. l quickly reached the
more common kind and obtained a seat by
the driver and two Englishmen. One of them
on the side, to whom 1 had said nothing.
addressed me- and finally asked me II had
a seat in the Kings Enclosure" On learn
ing | had no placement whatever. ne
handed me a ticket with his wifes name
upon it, saying such a seat could not be
got for ten pounds, but that If was
willing to accept it, he was glad TO offer II,
his wife at the last moment not being
able TO go. OF course 1 took it, In order
that should not be ''bluffed,' he escorted
me past the guards, obtained for me a
front seat next the rope and within twenty
feet of the place of movement, and then
left me in peace TO enjoy the unalloyed
pleasure.
A MEMORABLE SPECTACLE.
The review was well worth seeing, as it
was rare even for England. Long had II
been since such a review by King had
been made, and in the presence of French
ruler at that. To me il was the most
superb human spectacle 1 have ever seen
or imagined. The Laffan Plain was level
rectangular field, smooth with grass, with
hills and bluffs near. A gun was on Cove
Hill, off towards Marlborough. at which
the royal party was to arrive at $50. From
there the King and Queen, President Lou
bet, Prince and Princess of Wales. Lord
pol cta IN
the plain. In the review the First Life
Guards from Windsor and three battalions
of foot guards at Plrbright musketry camp,
with a total muster of 5000 men were in
action. The whole of the Coldstream
Guards regiment formed a special brigade.
AS the King and visitors arrived to re-
viewing positions, Lord Roberts and staff,
foreign embassies and generals passed with
them as guard of honor.
On the far side of the field, about one
fourth of a mile wide by one-half mile
long, was brilliant line. A fine sun from
back of our line reflected In glittering rays
from the FURNISHED helmets and guns OF
this long line of the army. After the
salutes the King, on his charger. President
Loubet in a carriage with the Queen, and
the Prince of Wales with the Duke of Con-
naught on horses on each side of the King,
the Princess of Wales and Princess Vic
tria in second carriage. passed just in
front of the various divisions of the line.
AS they came in order to each division,
mutual salutes with band music showed
finely across the field, the reviewing party
crossing and returning before us.
Following these were a much longer and
seemingly interminable array of field bat
teries, royal engineers, army service corps,
GIenadier guards, Celdstream guards, Scot
guards, Irish guards, and certain special
regiments with tattered banners, all hav-
ing seen hard service in the recent South
African war. 1t was glorious marching.
The divisions came up in two long lines
with fifty or seventy men on horses i'm each.
The heavy artillery passed again and again
in as good order as the foot"
THE RETURN MOVEMENT.
After all had passed, the next great move
ment was the return and massing of the
whole cavalry and artillery for a grand
gallop past King and people. No words
could describe this grand rush down the
full length of the field. Then, across the
field moved towards the King one long line
of troops, passing to salute, to be followed
by the salute of guns as the Kings process
sion again moved down our line in leaving
for Marlborough, accompanied by the
guard of the Fourteenth Hussars as a trav-
cling escort. Afterwards as the bright uni
forms of the soldiers mingled with the
equipages and moving throngs, which final
ly undulated in several great streams across
the field and by the roads to both Farnbor-
ough and Aldershot, apparently at will,
but as if influenced by the superb order of
the organized army, / stood looking on
awed and thrilled by the majesty of good
government equally impressive, wherever
and whatever might be its colors and ma
tionanty. One of the great fhrongs of peo-
pie had to cross small stream by a bridge
no wider than carriage. and though /
stood watching at least ten minutes just
at the entrance where the least pushing in
the rear would have made crush there,
/ saw no pressure, nor did the police have
to command or handle the people in the
least, though their presence must have
been quite necessary.
The trains were made, all came and went
on time in perfect order, and the success
was due not to quickness and rush in action
or preparation, but to law-abiding slow
ness and sureness in plan and fulfillment
X. A. THOMPSON.