Room has had to be found in the King's crowded timetable for a number of sittings to an artist and a sculptor engaged on works for the Royal Academy, which opens on the first Monday in May. His Majesty does not enjoy this kind of enforced inaction, but: he has proved a more patient model than at least two of his predecessors. Neither King Edward VII, nor King Edward VIII was an easy subject for the artist In this, as in so many characteristics, the King resembles his father, always a good sitter.
The picture, Mr. Frank Salisbury's Coronation scene in the Abbey to be presented to the King by the Dominion Governments, is expected to be finished in good time for the Academy. The Queen, as well as the King, is giving several more sittings for this historic painting. The sculpture is a bust now being modelled by Mr. Gilbert Ledward.
Exit the "Eden" Hat The departure of Mr. Eden from the Foreign Office, and the consequent few appearances he will make in the picture pages of the newspapers, may eventually be reflected in the sphere of men'sfashions, The "Eden" hat may lose its popularity in the city and the bowler resume its former dominance, Politicians, much photographed as ihey are, exercise but a slight influence on masculine dress,' The widely copied Mr. Eden was an exception. His black homburg achieved an international reputation and started a vogue in London.
Prominent men in the realm of sport play a larger part in determining men's fashions than do the politicians. Tailors from America and France, as well as London, gather tips of more than one kind on the English racecourse, There is no better place to study masculine form than Ascot, though the women manage to steal most of the picture.
Miss Megan Lloyd George was nearly knocked off her feet in Palace Yard the other day as she was leaving the House of Commons, but the watching policeman only smiled, He was witnessing a familiar Westminster sight—a member of the Lloyd George family being greeted by one of their dogs. Pwtyn, the Welsh Corgi, who rushed to welcome his mistress from a waiting car, prefers the woods and fields of Chrut to the restricted London streets.
Several of the Lloyd Georgian pets have visited Parliament. One of the best known is a formidable-looking Chow, a close companion of the former Prime Minister, but less demonstrative than the Corgi. Usually to be seen sitting beside the chauffeur, he is sometimes left in sole charge. There is then no fear of the car being stolen, Bid for Arab Favour In the radio competition between England and Italy for the favourable attention of the Arabs it would seem as if the Italian stations are on top mainly because thay tell. funnier stories. The broadcasting in Arabic of a running commentary on the Grand National may prove an effective counter-stroke on the part of the B.B.C. Whatever else Mussolini may have up his sleeve he cannot produce a traditional horse race to compare with that great classic of the English turf.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.