The sun., 1909-02-21
KINGS SPEECH FALLS FLAT
ENGLiNDS FINANCIAL PROF.
LEN DWARFS ALL OTHERS.
Edward Didn't Look Wen at Opening OF
Parliament Prince Of Wales Grow.
InS Gay SunraEettes In Fake Prison
Garb--SOcisl London Wide Awake.
Sprcid, Caas Despatch to THE SUN.

Sprcldl CaNs Despatch to the sun.
lpNIoS. Feb. ?c.-The opening OF Par
lament. the Kings speech and the sub
souuent debate have not on the whole ex-
cited the usual amount OF public interest
The proposed legislation attracts little
attention. popular concern being centred
81. he financial situation, about which no
announcement is expected for some weeks
,s' q.
II is semi-officially Announced that the
Government intends to cling TO Office for
two years more. but this must be taken
vtr grain of salt. IL IL difficult to see
how situations can be avoided in which
tie humiliation Of the Administration at
tho hlnds Of the I ords and the public in
tie 10y elections will force an appeal to the
country unless all sense OF dignity and
.ell-respect be abandoned
Those who sat near the King at the open
ing Of Parliament did not think he was
looking well. He has aged in the last six
mouths and his beard is now quite white
His badness is increasing and mis- Gus
tonary geniality was not so Obvious as
usual. His voice failed before he finished
reading the long speech,
The reports as usual spoke Of his @clear
tone or course 1t Is always very gut
tnral, but King Edwards voice is one of
great carrying power. On this occasion,
however. 1t was inaudible below the bar
Of the House.
On the other hand, there has been great
Improvements in the Prince Of Wales. He
seems to have thrown OF the morose
apathy 50 often noticeable and is brisker
and brighter than he has been for years.
and doubtless found his brother Savages
more congenial company when he took
the chair at their dinner tonight than he
would have done perhaps a while back.
strong movement. which has the Co
operation OF the Prime Minister. to keep
toys in ontinuation schools till they
reach the age Of II is on foot. Mr..
Asquith. the Premier, in an address to
deputation on this subject. favored
raising the age Of exemption and COM
rulsory attendance at evening classes.
saying that the poor law majority and
minority reports agreed on the question of
oy labor. The Government. he said,
Hoped TO be able before long TO give
legislative sanction to the suggestions
nahe by the deputation.
The suffragettes. undaunted by numer-
ITS arrests within the last few days. ar
anged a new spectacular sensation for
,o-dsy They paraded the streets, riding in
imitation Black Marias. clothed in fac
SMILES OF Hollaway prison garb. Cyclists
n decorated bicycles accompanied them. |
Fancy dress balls and smart amateur !
neatricals have been the order Of the |
eek Artists. American and English, |
nited in making a success OF the Chelsea |
~ Club ball which was given at Govent |
Garden.
The Olympia and American roller skat-
ng Tinks joined in a costume carnival,
where 5000 skaters in costume made a
q. .rcmarkable sight
The King and Queen attended a matinee
" the Shaftesbury Theatre. where society
',ateurs acted and sang II was a smart
fathering IL not much Of performance.
tmong the Americans present were
ady Granard and Lady Craven and
Ns. Ridgely Carter. Mrs. Anthony Drexel
ond Mrs. Harry Higgins. Pretty ac-
~ ssss sold programmes and flowers at
emarkable prices. The proceeds of the
entertainment went to the Royal Ear
Hospital.
Mrs. Cloman and Mrs. Gibson. both Of
be American Embassy. have been among
he town hostesses. Mrs. Cloman opened
her new residence with reception on
friday afternoon. Bridge was played
" many Of the guests. while others
listened TO excellent music. Many Of
Mrs. Clomans compatriots were present.
Lady Newborough gave the first of
series OF informal luncheons yesterday.
LADY Bateman, Sir Gilbert and Lady
Farker and Mr.. and Mrs. Harry Coventry
we're among the guests.
Mr.. Bruguiere has been entertaining
srgely at Corsham Court. which he has {
Isased from Lord Methuen. His mother
acts as hostess.
Another newcomer in Anglo-American
society is the Countess Pappenheim. who
Is also charming hostess.
Mr.. and Mrs. Arthur Orr have taken a
town house for the season. 4
Mrs Bradley Martin has postponed her
departure from London until next week.
William Waldorf Astor has gone TO
his villa at Sorrento. where he expects a {
number Of friends to join him. I
Ambassador Reid entertained fifty I
guests at dinner at the embassy last ,
night Mrs. Carter acted as hostess in :
tho absence Of Mrs. Reid. The guests :
Included the Ministers OF Argentina, I
Brazil and Chile, Irving V. Dudley. the e
american Ambassador 10 Brazil, and
Nlrs Dudley; Commander and Mrs. Glib {
tons. Capt. and Mrs. Cloman. Craig
Wadsworth Mrs. Charles Emory Smith -.
Mrs Ronalds and Mrs. Wilson A long
table was beautifully decorated with pink :.