Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-01-19
| far away contributed a number OF very
jolly real American nurses

far away contributed number OF very
Jolly rcal American nurses.
can tell you it was queer sem
"ation ID feel that we were tagging
ana ION trottins almost under tho
shadow of the walls Of Verdun, which
Few months back were crumbling and
shuddering beneath the onslaught of
German hrc. Ard another treat that
we had was on Thanksgiving Day.
when one of our men few days be-
iorC the twenty ninth by chance came
In sight of e real wild boar. An army
rihe did the work very we'll ami I
can car. assure you that dinner, We had
"a3 fine. Something of Il change as
you can imagine from Corn Willic!"
PEACE TIMES PROVE
QUITE CHEEKY TIMES
!. So /, seems that peace times are
quite CHEEKY times with our gallant
soldiers and that the Americans boys
from al accounts are doing the best
they can to make themselves at home
In their unfamiliar surroundings. Here
in London, everybody seems TO be more
Christmassy than | can remember for
years previously. even before 1914 Evil
GenceS OF Christmas cheer and New
Year happiness is apparent in streets
and shops, and every day civilian
clothes are becoming more conspicuous
in the streets. Also in the great world
OF London's fashionable b-land-Ial,
.Hali. Piccadilly and 81. James's Street
one sees once more the CLEAN and
glitter OF the tall silk hat which had
almost disappeared from our streets.
Now, however. IL seems to have re-
turned along with shiny patent leather
boots. braided morning coats and
tightly rolled umbrellas. which are
the sign manual of the typical English
gen tlcman all the world over. There
Is also marked increase in the num-
bcrS OF private automobiles being
driven about London. Official cars and
cars bearing the signs Of the Ministry
of Munitions or the Il. a. NJ c., arc
not so plentiful as they were n month
ago, and now the unfamiliar sight of
motor broughams and automobiles OF
every size and shape and make stand
ing outside shops and hotels, almost
make one feel that normal times have
returncd--unti! one studies the prices
Of sucn articles as fruits and flowers
eggs twhcn you can get thcm) and
vegetables. But | dare sag all these
| things viii settle themselves or be
settled sooner or later. 1t is we'll TO
vic" all such matters in a philosophic
spirit for after all the guns have ceased
in France. and no longer do we in Eng
land dread the moonlight nights.
OLD DEYONsHIRE HOUSE
AGAIN SET IN ORDER
Another sign Of the times is 10 DC
belonging to wealthy and distinguished
people. who during the war surrend-
cred them for various good purposes
and for the benefit Of the nation. The
Duchess o: Devonshirc. for instance.
who has returned TO England from
Canada with her two daughters, spent
Christmas at ChatSWorth. but also took
advantage Of being in England TO set
Dcvonshire House in order. This ia
nous old home Of the Dukes OF Devon
shire. which stands in its own beau
;ifui grounds facing the Green Park
and also the Ritz Hotel in Piccadilly,
has since the early days OF the war
been entirely given up TO Red Cross
work and organization Of the forces OF
the v a. D.s-in other words, the
voluntary aid department.
Devonshire House has been the scene
functions in modern times. 1t is there
that every year. previous to the war.
the great dinner attended by royalty
on the night Of the derby. has always
been given. During the reign OF Queen
Victoria the Prince OF Wales used to
attend as representing Her Majesty.
but when he succeeded 10 the throne
as King Edward the Seventh the great
function was made even more brillinn:
by the inclusion OF Queen Alexandra
in the company. One wonders il when
Derby Day comes round next year.
King George and Queen Mary will
again honor with their presence the
dress halls have also taken place in
pcvonshirc House. and J think it was
at one Of these superb festivities that
both big" and little" Willie were
among tho royal guests. Dcvonshire
Hoi;sc is very unprctcntous as far as
external appea rances go. 1t Ia just 4
hig square. rather low Georgian build
ing OF rcd brick, standing behind
high brick wall. But internally it is
WONDERFULLY beautiful and stately. The
! marble entrance hall with its double
flight OF marble stairs with their cry