New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-06-17
LONDON NOTES
Court Changes-Thomas Hardy
"A Decorated Hall.

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field marsha, of the army. and in this
way avoids being outranked in either OF
the services. if he does not exercise the
constitutional rights Of commander IN
chief like an American President. He
has also become honorary colonel of nine
military organizations at home, and as
time gees on -.e viii have select as
sortment of foreign uniforms. He has
conferred upon the Queen Consort the
Order of the Garter as the first Of the
birthday honors This is an effective
method of Distinguishing her as next to
himself the most important parsonage
in the kingdom. When the civil list is
rearranged she Will have her own reve-
nues and officials and a privileged posi-
ton apart from his own dignities.
The household appointments for the
King are TO include many of the axperi-
enced officials who served under his
father. There will be important changes
when Queen Mary's household is estab-
Hshed Queen AlexandFas plans can
only be coniectured from her determine
ton to regard England as her perma-
nent home. She will continue to live in
great state when she is in London. al
though her household will be ma literally
reduced Queen Mary alone will have
precedence over her at court functions.
King George is reputed by court Off
Gals as already revealing one of his
fathers strongest characteristics. This
is quickness of decision. He saves time
BIZ never procrastinating and by perse-
vering IN a course of action when he has
once determined what to do. He knows
his mind and does not change his pur-
poses, and while he lacks his fathers
wonderful memory he masters details
and shows remarkable capacity for
work The supreme test of the Kings
frmness and dignity will come when the
Prime Minister is constrained to intro
auee the treG hlesene question of guar
antees; but the crisis will be deferred as
long as Mr. Redmond considers neees-
sary and expedient.
There viii be prolonged residences of
the King and Queen at Windsor and
Baimoral fAis year and no holidays
abroad. Prince Arthur of Cennaught
has been brought into the Privy Coun-
ell. and will probably be prominent
figure at court. Queen Mary's three
brothers are in the way of receiving the
serene highness," SO as to relieve them
Of embarrassment when the question of
precedence is raised Whether the
Duchess of Teck, whose father was the
late Duke of Westminster. can receive
a similar royal title is doubtful. When
new reign begins there are hundreds
Of small points of precedence and eti-
auette TO be settled. and after all this
fussiness over trivialities the great bust
ness of conducting the business of en-
pire goes on.
Where was Mr.. Edmund Gesse, keeper
OF the calendar for men OF letters, that
Mr.. Thomas Hardy's SEVENTEEN birth
day should pass without a suitable COM
n1enloration? Mr.. Austin Dobsons sew
entieth was anticipated by that vigilant
onlooker in the library Of the House of
Lords. and there was a handsome pres
ent of eighteenth century plate for the
shy and lovable poet, with the best
wishes of a large group Of literary
friends. The veteran novelist and poet
of Wessex is equally retiring and anna
BILE. and his friends have neglected 10
keep the run of the literary almanac.
His birthday, announced abruptly in
the newspapers. has brought scores Of
congratuIatory letters and kilograms to
his temporary residence IN Mazda Vale
fat, and his friends IN the Athenaum
Club have exchanged heartfelt greetings
with him; and with these evidences of
appreciation he is we'll content. Belated
suggestions of a commemorative dinner
have been waved aside with a depre-
catory gesture That would have in
volved a speech, and the bare thought
of il would have been heavier burden
than another decade.
/ Every spring Mr.. Hardy deserts hts
garden in Casterbridge and comes to
London for few weeks of what he
considers gayety. 1t is mild form OF
Measurable excitement, for he does not
like fashionable society and late din
ners, operas and theatres. Taking
furnished fat in a quiet suburb, he has
I long Walks, dCCeplS IilNEldIAoiiS III
luncheon or tea with old friends, looks
out upon the passing throngs in Pail
Mall from Thackersy's corner in the
Athenaum, and works at his desk early
and late Perhaps he finds il easier TO
obtain peace and retirement in LONDON
than he does at Casterbridge during the
summer, for literary pngrfmages and
tourists. tnvasiens have multiplied with
the publication of itineraries and eX-
nIanatory guides 20 Wessex- Certainly
/ hs always seems contented here. and is
nsost cordial and unaffected when he
meets his oldttne friends.
II there be hopeless pessir1isn IN his
novels. il is not in his conversation and
da;,v Thought He carries his seventy
years lightly. is a cheerful as We'll as
/ tAoughtfuI companion, and comes into
e.ose sympathetic touch with every ac-
/ c,,aintance. There are signs or dfsap-
continent when he discovers that his
aar,irers do not take as serious view
e his epic poetry SIS he does himself:
h,,, he is a philosopher without resent
e,, u,,ile. a sage and seer with serenity
of mind.
| There mas always been rivalry between
ckinnsrs and the Merchant Taylors