at the Agricultural Hall has been a most brilliant success this year.
Crowds are daily turned away both in the afternoon and evening, being unable to obtain admission even to the most expensive seats. The Royal box is constantly full, the Princess of Wales having been present on two occasions. The sight is both graceful and picturesque. The variety of uniforms, from the gorgeous ones worn by the officers in the Imperial Service to the Japai {navy, and the picturesque khaki with it bright and dark red facings belonging to the Colonial Contingent, forms a four ensemble which is altogether pleasing to the eye. In stran: o contrast to all this smartness Tnoticed at che end of the hall a number weather-beaten faces—watching intently the new orders of things. The Colonial troops are a fine-looking lot of men and seem to enter into all the various "events" in which they take part with thg createst interest. What will probably be regarded as the chief feature of the present tournament is the great military pageant showing the growth and progress of the British Standing Army, from 1704 to 1882. Blenheim, Waterloo, Inkerman, and tel-el-Kebir are represented, and it is interesting to know that many of what, in theatrical parlance are known as "props" used in the representation at Islington ate genuine trophies, and were actually in use on those historic battle fields. As a_grand finale the whole of the cavalry—Marlborough's, Wellington's, Razlan's, and Wolseley's—charges masse full-tilt up the arena, then reins in suddenly with most wonderful effect "breaking off" and "rallying" as it rides out amidst enthusiastic applause. The Dyak war dance which follows is a most eerie performance. The men are arrayed in feather cloaks, caps and shields with spears which look most alarmingly dangerous, but they skip about in the most unconcerned way, much after the fashion of Zulus or American Indians. For accompaniment they have a row of gongs and brass pots which make din enough to make one thankful that one does not live in North Borneo—if a war-dance is a daily occurrence. Among the other items of interest I most enjoyed the Musical Ride of the 3rd Dragoon Guards and New South Wales Mounted Rifles. But. the tent pegging, lemon cutting and horse jumping were likewise most interest-
COACHING, On Friday I was present at the meet of the Four-in-Hand Club in Hyde Park where there was a record yethering of twant; seven coaches, the usual number I believe being about fifteen or sixteen. Among those present were the Duke of Marlborough, who had the Duchess by his side, the Duke of Portland, Lord Iveagh, the Earl of Ancaster, Lord William Beresford, Sir William Wallace Hozier (who was the first to put in an appearance), Lord Charles Beresford, and many other well-known faces. The weather unfortunately was not propitious at first; as the signal given. to start down came the rain in a heavy downpour, but it did not seem to interfere much with the arrangements, as the ladies quickly donned their shower cloaks and drove off to yrrties had been arranged with polo to Hurlingham and Ranelagh where luncheon fullow, and as the rain was soon over they were rewarded for their bravery. On Saturday the Coaching Club had their first meeting for the season, but they were even less fortunate than the meet of the previous day as the rain was almost continuous. In spite of this they had a brilliant turn out of thirty-three coaches, on this occasion Colonel Alfred Somerset being the first to lead the way.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.