THE DUBLIN POPULACE AND THE KING'S VISIT.
[TO THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."]
SIR,—It is universally acknowledged that the visit of the King and Queen to Ireland has been a great success. Much has been written about the lavish beauty of the Dublin street decorations, about the vast crowds that lined the streets, and about the enthusiastic welcome given by those crowds. Before the excitement has all died out, let us listen to remarks made by units in the crowds. " Sure, he must be as proud as Punch this minute ; there was niver a man in all the world that got such honour paid him." " Well, now, there's niver a King that got such an exception, and sure he deserves it." " He's a beautiful man, God bless him ! " " Sure, there's the Duke of Connaught. The poor fellow! Good luck to him !" The King's visit to the Guinness Trust Buildings and other tenements touched the hearts of the dwellers in those back streets, and will for long be the great topic of conversation.
Sure he's a nice man, a rale gintleman. You'd know that by the way he came welkin' up the lane, so quiet and simple."
Wait till I tell you what two young girls did, and they all dressed up in green. As soon as iver he came near them they shouted out, ' Three cheers for Ireland ! ' and what 'ud he do but turn round and take his hat off and shake it at thim, and he breakin' his heart coughin'. Oh! he's a grand man intirely !" " I declare I got so excited whin he come up, that I don't know what I was doin', leppin' up and down on the side of the street, and clappm' me hands, and shoutin', ` God bless you! God bless you!' and what 'ud he do, but look me full, in the face, and give me an iligant salute." " To think of him welkin' up into the houses, and spakin' so friendly, and not mindin' a bit whin annyono made free wid him, let alone shakin' hands wid him ! I declare lie's beau- tiful. Annyone 'ud be fond of him." "Did you see the. Queen, too ? and she dressed in a lovely violet boa, and a toque to match, and a white veil on her ; a beautiful young woman ! " " I declare I spent all me days runnin' after thim, and me wid the child in me arms. It was grand ! " " It'll be a quare thing if they're not plazed wid the Irish this time." " Sure the King has a kind heart, you'd see it in his face ; and he likes a bit o' fun just like anny of us."—I am, Sir, &c.,
D. E. C.
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