Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-07-14
LONDON ROSE-STREWN
ON ALEXANDRA DAY.
Symbol Ec|ipses All Other Gel
ebrations in Popularity
With Public.
Special Correspondence Of The Star.

special Correspondence Of The Star.
LONDON, June %, 1912.
Charity and patriotism joined hands
Wednesday. and In the twin noble causes
London turned itself into a city of roses.
1t was Alexandra day. and in no happier
fashion could that memorable morning
just fifty years ago, when Sea King
daughter came to win the hearts OF q
nation. have been commemorated. The
symbol of the wild rose has .eclipsed In
public appeal other celebrations. which in
themselves have had the wider sanction
of nationality. and it has made the day
one of note in the story of charitable
endeavor. 1t was Roses, roses all the
way" Every buttonhole had its dainty
pink and white cambria star. every bloom
its delicate posy, and the children wound
garlands of blossoms rou--d their sunbon-
nets.
Ten thousand famous and beautiful So
ciety women held the city up to ransom.
They were wearing pretty and simple cos
tunes of white, with hats trimmed with
flowers and bands of the Danish colors,
white and scarlet, suspended from the
shoulders to carry the baskets But their
most dangerous weapon was gracious,
winning smile.
Queens Drive Memorable Event.
Queen Alexandra's drive through the
streets with people waiting for hours 10
see her and to cheer and wave her roses
was quite a. memorable event, ana one
specially noticed that SO many OF the
waiting crowd were elderly people, some
of whom were possibly revtving their
recollections of the slim, dark haireu
bride, who was driven through THESE
streets half a century ago. There is AL
entry in the diary of the late Duchess OF
Teck (she was first cousin TO me ouee"
Of Denmark, which may be quoted:
"Brighton.-After luncheon we waited
anxiously for the arrival of Christian
(the future King Of Denmark) on his way
back to Copenhagen. having esta nhsneo
Alix at Osborne. At we welcomed him,
and upward for three hours sat talking
over the betrothal of Alix and Berue.
We have much to hear and discuss, ana
while fully sharing his happiness at tne
marriage, we could enter into his reel
ings at leaving Alix then for the nrst
time"
More Than $4,000 Taken In.
According to report. more than 10000
was taken in the streets OF London by
the women selling penny roses, It would
be interesting to know how many roses
really were sold. II you take them at
a penny a rose, more than COCO, 600 were
sold but as the prices paid really ran
from penny to e5 note 1t Is obvious
that the number was very much less. II
we take sixpence as the average paid for
each rose, there would be a million roses
in the streets.
1t was certainly an extraordinary trib-
ute to the unwavering popularity Of
Queen Alexandra. AS a sight the event
is the prettiest London has known. These
white cambria roses tinged with pink
were pretty in themselves and charming
when strung in festoons around motor
cars or hung over shoulders or twined
around tall hats. or even in a bouquet
stuck through the top Of a tall hat, as
an honest man wore them at high noon
In Piccadilly. In the labyrinths of the
city, these Wild roses peeped out In a
shy and sudden way, just as the real
blossoms do in the country this June.
1t was pleasant to see the modest lit
tie symbol sprouting from behind the
metal buttons on policemans breast
and in the golden hat bands OF the silent.
heavy men who drive the royal mail