Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-07-28

LONDON, July 4
TO-DAY is fFrance Day" and London
is for the moment transformed.
Everywhere I.went today I saw the
tricoior, and people who didn't wear
the little red, white and blue nag
were in the minority. At all the hotels
and railway stations were crowds Of
pretty girls and charming matrons doing
a brisk trade, the proceeds Of which went
10 the French Red Cross fund.
The London shops were all doing their
best. too. One popular REGENT street
atore had special counyers where goods
sold were to yield 30 per cent. or thor
profits. and assistants had donned the
emblem Of the day.
In all the stores were stationed fair
sellers Of badges, and twice l noticed
Ri0 being paid for a simple little speci-
men of the Legion d'Honneur badge,
conied from NJ. Paul Cambon's own deco
ration.
Al noon I attended the Low Mass cele-
brated In Westminster Cathedral for the
French soldiers. and was greatly im-
pressed by the solemnity and beauty OF
the scene. II was a simple service, de-
void of that splendor Of ceremonial which
generally ciings to the ritual of the
Church OF Rome.
The Lord Mayor OF London in state.
an imposing figure In his wonderful
robes was escorted up the central aisle
by n red-robed priest, and among other
distinguished visitors took his seat on
gold.gllt chairs in front OF the high al
tar. The French Ambassador was, OF
course, present with all the members OF
his family and so also were the Rus
sian, Italian, Japanese and Belgian Am
bassadors
The music was entirely by French COM
posers There was no sermon, but every
thing of marked simplicity At the
conclusion of the service, when Cardinal
Bourne had given the Pontlfical Bless
ing, the choir organist played the Mar
seillaise." and the CONGREGATION slowly
dispersed. Yet many stayed behind, for
Westminster Cathedral just now is never
empty, and its services of intercession
never end.
After the congregation had dwindIed
away, I noticed beautiful girl praying
alone in a shadowy corner, her slim fn-
gers caressing a small black rosary. She
was in mourning, and the light from ono
of the great stained-glass windows
showed that she had been weeping. Later
she spoke to me. One of her brothers
had been killed In the war, and now she
gerously wounded. II have been praying
lie bon Dieu to let him recover" she
said, land also to take care of my hance,
who fights now at the front" 1t trans
pired that she was a governess in tho
West End and none too happy in her lot.
But soon 1 shall return to Paris" sho
added, "and then there will be a wonder
ful reunion. Is It not so?"
In the afternoon attended the garden
i T. A.
French Red Cross at Montagu House,
which had been lent for the occasion by
the Duke and Duchess of Buccleuch. 1t
was a wonderful and brilliant affair, no
less than three, Queens all being present
at the same time. 1 saw Queen Mary
arrive about $3.50, wearing dress of
navy blue silk with coat of embroid-
cred chiffon to match and a white straw
hat faced with black velvet and adorned
with high, upHtandlng marabou feather
at one side. She looked very hand
some and stately and whenever she
on the terrace the national am
them was played, and there was a great
nutter among all present.
With the Queen was Princess Mary,
grown tall and-I was going to say |
stately" but she Is hardly that yet
She has, however, grown into quite a |
good-lookinR girl, her pretty fair hair
years ago she was at 1.-THE awkward |
age" was rather shy and given to blush
Ing on great State occasions when she |
accompanied her royal parents. Now she
Is quite self-possessed and grown-up
young lady, the schoolroom left behind
and long gowns and. French hats the
order of the day. She advanced at the
side of her mother with perfect calmness
showing great self-possession in so
Young girl. for she Is not yet officially
out" Her gown was exquisite and
suited her fair prettiness to perfection
Il was of pale apricot satin mousseline.
the bodice softened with white chiffon
Her white taffeta hat was wreathed with
white ostrich plumes.
ALEXANDRAs WINNING SMILE
Queen Alexandra looked as beautiful
and as young as ever. the severe black
of the mourning she has always worn
since the death OF King Edward suiting
her TO perfection. Her auburn hair has
still the same wonderful red-gold tints