19 AUGUST 1905, Page 2

Our French guests departed on Monday delighted with their reception,

which, in fact, was exceedingly well organised. Every usual honour was paid to the visitors, and one which, we believe, is without a precedent. The officers of the French Fleet were invited by Parliament to luncheon in Westminster Hall, the Lord Chancellor and the Speaker being their hosts, an invitation which would have been impos- sible if the whole nation had not approved the entente. The visitors were accordingly received on Saturday by a splendid company, headed by the Premier himself, and lunched in the hall at two tables, the Lord Chancellor sitting at the head of one, and the Speaker at the head of the other.