El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1914-09-12
PUT
OUT Of LONDON
People Take War Seriously
and Even the Court
Gayety Is No More.
BY HERBERT TEMPLE.

London, Eng, Sept. 12.-Perhaps
nothing more aptly interprets the
feeling OF London in these stressfuI
days than the changing attitude to-
ward the king and the court As one
moved about, one notices a curious re-
vulsion Of feeling with regard to the
court since the beginning Of the war
It is no secret. Of course, that king
George and queen Mary have tastes
akin to those Of the late queen Vic
toria and the prince cOnsorr. rather
than 10 those Of the later king Edward.
whose penchant was for clever and
amusing people He hated to be bored
and cared very little for curious folk
with ideals"
Retnrn TO victorian Customs.
In the old court Of the midIe 18th
century, which has been called the
Golden Age Of London society, wit was
not much appreciated. Queen Victoria
liked to laugh but she cared little for
what was not obvious Those DAYS are
coming back, and their return has been
more noticeable since the war broke
out Without interfering unduly with
matters best left to experts, king
George is keeping himself very closely
in touch with all the services. the
war office and the admiralty especially.
Both the king and the queen have
put in most Of their time In the last
five weeks inspecting troops and war
ships, porting over maps, getting first
hand reports from the war office and
admiralty and latterly, in visiting the
wounded who have been brought home
from the continent
British Take War Seriously.
The bulk Of the British people are
seriously and deeply concerned in
England's part in the great struggle.
and they have no time or inclination
for frivolity. They are now turning
back to the court for the serious things
rTrrr
is a very minor consideration, one that
certainly their majesties are giving no
thought to. IT is assured that England
will come out Of this war with the
old social prestige Of the court largely
restored and enhanced.
The lighter side Of society has never
appealed to the king. He was brought
up aboard ship and though there is
plenty of recreation and amusement in
the navy, the men there are all the
time doing things, meeting men who
have done things. Queen Mary, too,
was brought IN quietly and their reign
has made for seriousness at court
rather than laughter This is being
emphasized in war time.
War Has Soldering Effect.
Everywhere the SOLDERING effect OF
the war is noticeable. The theaters are
the hardest hit. Some Of the smaller
music halls already have closed and
the managers Of the larger houses are
several contributing causes to this
state Of affairs So many men have
gone TO the front; those who are left
prefer to walk the streets and read
the extras and the bulletins, TO sitting
in the theater. and all the people, for
the most part, are ecOnomizlng and
saving all the money they can
The fashionable restaurants, too. are
feeling the pressure Of war times.
London is overrun with tourists and
refugees from the continent. trying for
the most part TO get 10 America but
these people have little money and are
not eating in the high priced restau-
rants They are eating in the cheapest
places
Before and During War.
There are in London several big res
taurants, divided into two parts On
one side. the furnishings are ornate
and the other plain Both dining rooms
serve the same food. but on the plain
side the prices are considerably lower
than on the fashionable side
Formerly the crowds were all to be
seen on the high priced side Of such