Lights in a Dark Town: A Story about Blessed John Henry Newman by Meriol Trevor

Author:Meriol Trevor [Trevor, Meriol]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Spiritual & Religion
ISBN: 9781681497617
Publisher: Ignatius Press
Published: 2017-07-24T05:00:00+00:00

EIGHT

Midcentury Winter

AT THE VERY END OF September Birmingham had the excitement of a visit from the queen. It was not a proper visit, for the train was to stop for a quarter of an hour only, outside the Derby Street station; but the mayor was to present an address, and as it was the first time the queen had been there, people crowded to see her. Ground was railed off for the corporation and gentlemen of the town, and three thousand tickets were issued. Dr Brent was so pestered by his family that he secured enough to take his wife, the three eldest children and Emmeline, much against his will.

“Why you should want to go at ten in the morning to gaze on two poor human beings as if they were animals at the zoo, I can’t imagine,” he said.

“Animals at the zoo!” said his wife. “I want to see what they really look like.”

“Exactly as with some exotic species of animal,” persisted the doctor.

At any rate, off they all went on the Saturday morning, and a very threatening sky lowered above them.

When they arrived at the enclosure, there were already crowds lining the railway line, ragged boys running about and climbing on every point of vantage, and people in their best Sunday clothes picking their way through the mud. Dr and Mrs Thorpe were there with their daughters, billowing with rustling petticoats and furbelows; outside the enclosure was a party of boys under the harrassed charge of the usher, Mr Pratt, who was trying to ensure that they did not behave like the urchins. Daniel was with them, and he waved his cap to Emmeline.

There was a company of the Royal Artillery out, and the band of the Fifth Dragoon Guards in all its splendour was playing a military march. There was a tall pole set up, so that the royal standard could be unfurled when the queen arrived. Telegrams kept arriving, which were read out, telling of the departure of the royal train from various stations on the way. Excitement mounted to fever pitch when suddenly at a quarter to ten, the heavens opened and the rain descended in torrents.

“Here’s a pretty mess!” said Dr Brent, putting up a large gamp to shelter his wife and the girls. The rain beat on it as resonantly as on a drum and ran off the points in silver shoots. Rain glistened on the unprotected faces of the doctor and his sons.

But before everyone was too sodden to care, a cheer was raised. The royal train was in sight! As it slowed down and drew up, the cheers redoubled and the band burst into the national anthem.

As soon as the royal carriage stopped, Prince Albert let down the window and made a speech, regretting the unfavourable state of the weather and the inconvenience to everyone present. The queen, who could be plainly seen through the glass, showed by her expression that she shared the prince’s regret.

“How handsome the prince is!” Cary whispered to Emmeline, and this sentiment was echoed by many ladies present.

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