The Argosy — page 76: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Three Glimpses at Royalty. 63 Thro:igh more crimson passages and flowers to the library, where a gay throng is assembled. We are now able to note the beauty of the ladies and their dresses, as they promenade to the inspiring sounds of glees, madrigals, and part-songs, given by the Orpheus Glee Union. ‘Make way for the Right Honourable the Lord Mayorand the Lady Mayoress,” suddenly cries the mace-bearer, and Alderman Lusk, Right Honourable, and Member of Parliament, walks through the crowd, with his lady. They stop to shake hands with our companion; the Lord Mayor, in allusion to his own pompous robes, whispers drily, ‘‘Solomon in all his glory,” and passes on. One group of officers in uniform and well-dressed handsome women, particularly attracts us. They are talking merrily, flirting possibly—as soldiers and women will—but they are gay and bright as May itself. Are they feather-bed soldiers? Scarcely; for they are bronzed and medalled. We pause, look, enquire, and are rewarded by hearing that we are close to the heroes of Coomassieand Ashantee. There isSir Garnet Wolseley in general’s uniform, with stars and crosses. He is short and young-looking—by nature fair, by Africa brown. He is laughing with all his heart. Close by is the broad-shouldered, stalwart soldier who first attracted us by his build and face: this is Festing, or Festung? (fortress) as is suggested. Sartortus, also, is at hand, who led the handful of Marines as a forlorn hope—young, brown, and handsome. A little man in plain morning dress is in their midst, who is, we hear, the renowned Sir John Glover. No wonder the pretty faces they look at smile and blush at such distinguished proximity, for we, who are not within the charmed circle, warm towards them, and wish them as good luck in love as in war. Thus our third glimpse at Royalty is happily supplemented by a glance at Royalty’s safeguard, Bravery. ANNE BEALE. GOMNGIOO (SO)