Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-11-30

tour of England We're notified, after Il
round OF ruther severe social enter
tainmentS and of dutlfu, attendance
upon various political functions, that
King George and Queen Mary would
be graciouSly pleased 10 receive them
ar Sandriurhum on Sunday October
Is. 1t was intimated that II was Il
most unusual concession, for his
majesty and his court preferred 10 Oh,
serve the traditions and keep them
selves to themselves, apart from the
formaities of their positions, II their
country seat-on the Sabbath day, at
least.
+ Sandrlngham IS the summer home or
I royalty, about one hundred miles from
London on the eastern coast near the
sen. 1t had been acquired and de7el-
oped by King Edward. and Wus HIS
private estate, the location Of his fine
racing stables and splJEdil gardens,
and II is now the permanent residence
of his widow, Queen Alexandra. The
first group of American magazine and
periodical editors and writers, through
a coincidence now IN London, were
also included in the royal command.
and together all were 20 go furnish
ing for his majesty his first personal
view Of composite American Journal
ism. The proposed audience, 1t was
limited by those who arranged It. was
substantial and convincing evidence Of
the high interest of the king in the
forthcoming entente between the two
great Engllsh-speaklng nations. One
hears much on that fruitful subject
just now in England.
Editors Worry About Clothes
The first result of the royal invita-
ton was to throw the gratitied editors
into ilutter of discussion about the
kind of dress needed for q court pres
entation. The ministry Of informa-
ton, which has the journalists In
charge, gravely Informed them, how
ever, that 1t was TO be no formal &C.
casion but a social and unofficial visit
nj the weekend to Sandringham, and
that nobody need 10 lie awake o'nights
worrying about whether to wear q
high hat and mosning dress, or the
usual work-a-day suit of the average
American. But the decision of the
ministry did not entirely settle this
important matter, nor did the minis.
try itself adhere to its ruling for in
formalty. Some oSicious parsonage
came hurriedly from headquarters and
announced that II would be strictly
de rigeur to wear top hat and a
cutaway, and other such apparel.
After due arrangements had been
made to accord with this latest de-
clsion as TO the correct thing In court
fashions, some one higher In authority
az the last moment gave out final word
that everybody might dress as he
pleased, but that the king would I'M
doubtedly prefer to see his guests In
the costumes they ordinarily wear at
home. The controversy being happily
concluded the editors started Off for
Sandringham In the garb which each
Of them thought best suited to his style
Of beauty. For the most part silk
hats went by the board.
The time Of the visit was most aus
piclous. Great news had just come
out Of Germany 10 the effect that she
had decided to captulate, after four
years and more Of war; and 1t was TO
be supposed that the atmosphere
/ about Sandringham would be most con-
i genial for Fluctuations. There are no
| Sunday papers worth the name n
/ Great Britain, but the king, Of course,
! had his own private information about
the happy turn of events. A royal
/ messenger was indeed In the train
which bore the % Americans TO Sand
I bingham. His Office was to tell King
/ George what he already knew.
King Upsets Program.
/ The journey to Sandrngham was
taken In a special train, under semi
cloudy sky, through a lovely land
scape. There was glimpse of the
famous college town Of Cambridge,
and OF the historic cathedral at Ely.
The party arrived at the Sandrlngham
station reserved for the guests OF roy
atty about two O'Clock and found
waiting there three spick and span
carryaIls. There had meanwhile been
received from the major domo OF the
ministry specific instructions ns to how
the party was to be received. They
were to be divided into three groups
and each Of them was to enter the au'
gust presence separately and was tc
remain not more than ten minutes. II
was expected that his majesty would
have had quite enough In that brief
period. But It proved that this thought
Of the courtiers who seek to decide
Just who shall be privileged to basB
in the smiles Of royalty, and how long
was erroneous. For the king upset
tho entire program and had a "bully'
dry with his visitors, as Mr. Roose
welt might call it; so did his family
All ceremonies were quickly waived
and forgotten, and everybody had
grand time.
Sandrlngham is a noble estate witt
fine drives, spacious lawns. prodign
greenery and occasional lakes ant
ponds Queen Alexandra, the mother
OF the king, occupied the castle
which IL M cuatlp nj nil hut fine