The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1908-08-09
LONDON'S SEASON BRILLIANT
SOCIAL GAYETY HELPED BY THE
EFFORTS OF ROYALTY.

KtRs andl queen Set an Example for Other
Hosts to Feii0w-Many French People
On Lenden-1Iis fbffice Of Natlons;
Host q New and Useful Creation.
LONDON, July 2s.-With Goodwood this
week the London season ends Then the
hundreds will depart, the millions remain
and London will be empty.
1t has been a brilliant sea~sn. A do
clining revenue and a %stagnant stock ex-
change have been unable to prevent it
from being perhaps the most brilliant
season in living memory. Perhaps its
most distinguishing feature has been is
cosmopolitan character. From this point
Of view IL was chiefly a French season.
For this Of course the Franco British ex-
hibition and tho visit of President Fallieres
1, are mainly responsible.
Never have 70 many French people been
seen In London. French men. French
women and French children have per-
vaded the place. The Partisan seems
I at last 10 have discovered that the dis
tance from Paris to London is no greater
than the distance from London to Paris.
The visit Of President FalIieres was made
| the occasion Of a series Of court entertain
ments Of peculiar b~riliiancy, and from that
moment the entente cordiale became q
social a. we'll as a political fact.
The great activity Of the court has been
another outstanding feature Of the season.
Never have the King and Queen been 30
active In sharing In the social. political.
international and municipal life. The King
has worked with the same indefatigable
energy which used TO wear out equerry
after equerry In the days when he was
! Prince Of Wales.
His position In the world Of European
politics now 10 such that his NOV enents
are reported all over the world day by day.
There ia no need here to insist upon his
various activities. But the Queen this
season has come out in a manner which
has surprised and delighted her people.
She has been everywhere and done every
thing. displaying a brightness and ami
nation. q keen interest in and enjoyment
Of every thing, such as a woman Of half
her years and O tenth her experience might
enjoy.
The Prince and Princess Of Wales and
the other members Of the royal family,
especially the Duke of Connaught and
Princess Patricia. have also worked hard,
giving that stimulus to the social life which
only roy atty can In a monarchical country.
The great hosts and hostesses, following
the lead Of the King and Queen and indeed
obeying the openly expressed wish Of the
former, have We'd with one another in lavish
hospitality. Balls and dinners nave never
been more numerous or more costly. Flower
shows, dog shows. the great horse show.
birmingham and Ranelagh have all been
more brilliant than usual.
The theatrical season has already been
reviewed 1t was prosperous but not
remarkable. A new sensation. the SiciH-
n at the Ehaftesbury, and a familiar do
light. Coquefn ain~ at His Msjesty's. were
probably its best features. The opera
has had the most prosperous season ex-
perienced by the present syndicate and
one of the most brilliant gala nights in It's
history, On the turf the season has been
made memorable by the startling victory
Of the Italian owned Ally Signorinetta In
the Derby and Oaks,
Among other causes which have helped 70
make the season u notable one. and which
may be expected to make future seasons
even moro 90. has been the orea tion Of an
Office which might be called that Of Ma.
tional Host. The creation Of that office
oou w scseius esPuo VI d buHl OF money
from the imperial exohequer for the en-
tertainment Of foreign guests are certainly
q credit to the present Government. 1t
lie thought possible that in time one OF the
fine halls. Of which there are 50 many In
the public buildings Of London, will be
dedicated to and regularly used for inter-
national entertainment.
With 90 successful a season to look back
upon London is not likely. for the time
being. to consider very seriously Sir Her.
bert Maxwells suggestion that 1t. like most
other capitals. should have its grand season
In the autumn and winter. In the summer
the English country Is at it's best and most
beautiful, and to close the great houses
during that time seems Improbable to all
concerned.
The House Of Commons, whose session
regulates the season. no longer consists
mainly Of country squires who insist upon
being at home for the shooting and hunting
season. 30 Parliament. 1t is argued, might
we'll cit nowadays from October to the end
Of March. 1t Is a debatable point and
has been urged before.
But the weekend habi it and the motor
car have robbed it of it's strongest argu.
ment. ' From Friday night till Monday
In these days the country houses are open
and full OF life. London doubtless suffers
In proportion. butihis fine summer and the
gay season have lone much TO make London
satisfied with things as they are.