THE KING'S DINNER TO THE POOR. [To THE EDITOR OP
THE "SPECTATOR.")
SrR,—Among the many accounts of the King's dinners to the poor lately published in various journals, I have not yet seen one that purports to be from the pen of one of his Majesty's guests. Possibly, therefore, the following extract from a letter from one of them—a cripple--may be of interest to your readers, should they think with me that the writer's lack of literary education is amply atoned for by the vivid directness of her description:—
" And now I must tell you, in spite of all, I enjoyed myself as well as I could at the King's dinner, but too many people to be comfortable. Some had plenty, and some had none. Fancy two thousand five hundred people at one place !—I got on better than some—so unruly they snatched the strawberries out of their band. The man next me gave me four, and a piece of ice-cream. There was cold roast beef and boiled, and sauces of all kinds, potatoes, and a little loaf of bread. I got a nice plate of meat and two potatoes, but I only ate one, and I brought home the little loaf and picked up one off the floor. I got a mug and a box of choco- lates and a large card of their Majesties' photos. There was pudding, so they tell me, but I never saw any. There was lemonade and ginger-beer, and lime-water, which is very good drink. I was parched with thirst after standing in the broiling hot sun for about, I should think, half an hour, and the crowds of people frightened me. I begged of them not to push, but only for the police I don't know what would have been. You were all sent to different parts of the Hall with different-coloured cards. They say there was beer, but I never saw any, and a good thing too among such a unruly lot ! I told one of the ladies I was quite ashamed of the behaviour ; but I enjoy myself anywhere. There was recitations and a nice concert by professionals, but you could not hear for the noise. I was thankful to get home and have a nice quiet cup of tea."
—I am, Sir, &c., Maidenhead.
M. HART.
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