Two rooms are devoted to an exhibition of the works of Mr. Benjamin Constant, the great French portrait painter. His men ato all excellent, more especially Col. Anstruther Thompson, Mr. Charles T. Jerkes, and M. Paul Cambon. With the fair sex the artist is less successful, and a three-quarter portrait of Her Majes Queen Alexandra is quite a libel on our beautiful Queen. Of far greater interest, even than Mr. Constant's pictures, is a collection of pencil drawings of people well known in society, done by Lady Granby, among which are included a sketch of her late Majesty Queen Victoria and one of His Royal Highness Prince Edward of York when two months' old; alo a water-colour sketch of the artist when a girl dono by the late Queen twenty-five Years ago. There are altogether 167 of these drawings, all of which show a delicacy of touch and artistic feeling which 4s truly delightful.
Th Military Tournament, always a delightful feature of the functions of the season, was opened yesterday, for the first time since its inauguration by the Reigning Sovereign in person, and the warmth of welcome which was accorded to Their Majesties when they made their appearance in the Royal box must have gratified them, as not only did the public cheer as they entered but after the National Anthem had been played. some one in the audience called for "three cheers for the King" and then for one for the Queen and these were given with such heartiness that the noise must have been heard far away. So far as novelties go I am afraid there are none to chronicle except that a special feature is made of the tent-pegging display, which is performed by Jnen belonging to the Native Indian regiments; such fine fellows! They rode into the arena with a species of war whoop which was quite inspiring and filled one with enthusiasm.
The musical drive by the X Battery of the Royal Artillery was perfect as usual. as was also the Double Musical Ride of the Royal Horse Guards. Something quite new, however, was the Historical ride, carried out under the direction of Captain Waite of the 10th Hussars. It was a splendid idea, as it showed what soldiers were like from the days of Edward MI, when they carried bows and arrows, right down to the present day. Twelve periods were chosen, each typical of some change of costume, and the band which Jed them was dressed in the uniform worn by the 10th Hussars in 1819-1831. That they discoursed of "San Toy " and The Toreador" surprised me, it only shows how little is new after all!
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.