The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-03-19

converted into a vessel under navy con- | ditions. But there is no doubt that a
 hattleship of the Dreadnought class will
 convoy the royal vessel, and that it will
 be in charge of an admiral of the fleet. | Western ideas and customs are finding
 their way into staid old London and .-.e l question should women ride astride?"
 is agitating the outdoor element of the
 social set Already number of fair
 equestriennes have adopted the custom of
 riding astride, in Rotton Row, and 1t ap- | pears that the fashion is making rapid headway in the riding schools, especially | among very young girls.
 | Several society women are doing their | best to introduce the fad. For several l years past Viscountess Castlereagh has regularly ridden astride in the Row, and other distinguished 'astrders' are the Duchess of Westminster, Lady Constance Stewart Richardson, and the Hon. Mrs. Fairburn. -
 One may see in the Row any day in l the season small girls riding astride, a well known example being the Ouch ess of Sutherland's little daughter. Lady Rosemary Leveson Gower. Of these pioneers, Lady Constance Stewart Rich
 ardson has never ridden horse in any other way.
 West End habit makers are receiving more orders than ever for divided skirts and coats. Ten years ago such cos
 tunes were unthought of; now inquiries as to styles and coats are numerous. l One of the most Interesting invalids or the moment is the King of Montene- gro He is the most paternal ruler in Europe, and judges his little Kingdom on the traditional methods of the cadi
 under the palm tree. Law does not trouble him, and when he has made up his mind what the offender deserves
 the offender gets it there and then,
 without any regard to the care with which he may have kept within the let
 ter of the law Of all monarchs there is none more unconventional than the King of Montenegro.
 King Nicholas is a patriot above all things. His apparel Is gorgeous-a white surcoat, over which he wears n sleeveless jacket of black silk, stiffy
 embroidered with gold; scarlet un- dercoat covering his broad chest like
 wise rich in gold work; a multi colored silk sash holding the inevitable revol- yer, and Wide blue trousers gathered at the knee into a pair of patent ather boots. He wears a little Montenegrin cap, with the black border signifying | mourning, it's red center symbolical of the field of blood, and five semi-cir- G fifth century has come and gone since the fatal battle of Kossovo was fought, that battle which shattered the once mighty Serb empire forever. It was a visitor to Cettinje who once twitted the king with the fact that his country has no exports. Sir" was the reply. you forget my daughters" And sure ly his daughters have made most bril- liant alliances.
 Lord Minto, the ex-viceroy of India, has been awarded the freedom of the Grocers' company at the Guildhall and his lordship has now joined a very
 distinguished company of "Grocers,"
 including his majesty the king, the duke of Connaught, and Prince Arthur of Connaught
 There are few wealthier guilds Of
 the city than the Grocers, and they are also one of the oldest, their records going as far back as 1345.
 The Grocers' buildings were destroyed by the great fire in London the mag
 nificent Grocers hall being one of the
 modern buildings of the city. Once they possessed great quantity
 of costly and ancient plate, but they
 were plundered of most of it by Row
 dist and Roundhead in turn, and what
 remained perished in the fire. They
 have, however. some remarkably an- cient records, which happened to be stored away from the hall at the time of the catastrophe in 1868, and so escaped the flames.
 red lett0r day in the Grocers' cal
 endar Is Oak Apple Day. Not only did
 Charles II confer special privileges on the company, but he further honored 1t by serving in the office of ma ster a year or two after his restoration.