Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 108, June 29, 1895 — John Shaqi
Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 108, June 29, 1895Various
General
Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 108, June 29, 1895
Various
English wit and humor -- Periodicals
Oddly enough, there were speeches at the luncheon. Mr. G. having got
his hand (or rather his voice) in at mouth of the Elbe, delivered
two charming addresses. One in proposing health of King and Queen of
DENMARK, the other in responding to toast to his own health, given
by King. A new thing this for Old Parliamentary Hand to serve as
after-dinner speaker. Listening to his graceful, gracious phrases,
one almost regrets he should have given up so much time to Irish Land
Bills, Home Rule, and the like.
After luncheon a stroll on deck, and, incidentally, a memorable scene.
In addition to the Kodakesses, who have taken everyone on board,
except each other, we have a regular artist with a camera. Don CURRIE,
having a moment to spare, thought he would have his likeness taken.
Got into position; operator's head under the cloth fixing him; in
another moment it would have been done. As SHAKSPEARE wrote long ago,
"Nothing escapes the eye of royal Denmark." The King, seeing what was
going on, quietly led up the Queen, and stood by her in focus; the
rest of the Royal Family, as our toast lists have it, closed in,
forming a group near the Don; and when the astonished operator removed
the cap and exposed the plate he found upon it the Royal Family
of Denmark and one simple Highland gentleman distinguished in such
company by his plain estate.
In afternoon, Don CURRIE having entertained Kings and Queens and Crown
Princes, threw open all the gangways of the ship to the people of
Copenhagen. They flocked in by hundreds, increasing to thousands. In
endless streams they passed along the decks peering and poking their
noses into every nook and cranny. On upper deck they had a great find.
Sitting in his state cabin, with door open, was Mr. G. reading about
the Vikings in their own tongue, which he has lately added to his list
of acquired foreign languages. The Danes, men, women, and children,
stood there at gaze. Mr. G., with his back turned to door, read on,
unnoticing. Crowd growing unmanageable with ever-increasing numbers,
a handy quartermaster rigged out ropes, and made sort of handrail,
guarding either side of cabin, keeping back crowd. But it filled the
deck all through the afternoon, ever changing, but ever one in its
passionate, yet patient desire to catch a glimpse of that figure in
the cabin, that went on reading as if the world outside were a mere
wilderness.
[Illustration: An admirable spot for a little quiet reading, although
perhaps the firing does make it a leetle difficult to concentrate
one's thoughts wholly upon the matter in hand.]
_Wednesday._--At Kiel. Harbour and approaches filled with fleets of
all nations, every ship bristling with guns, and longing to be at
somebody. For the closing years of the nineteenth century of the
Christian Era, this is, as SARK says, most encouraging. It is the
completest achievement, the proudest thing civilisation has to show
us.
* * * * *
From the _Manchester Guardian:_--
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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