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WIRELESS LETTER FROM OUR
HIGH COMMISSIONER.
GEORGE REID HONOURS EDWARD VII.
Dear "Punch,"—You will have heard before
this reaches you that at length tho King has
been privileged to see me, to meet me and
talk with me face to face. I am glad to he
able to say that I seen very favoiirably impressed
with King Edward, and you may state
as much unreservedly.
His Majesty is a modest and unassuming
gentleman. I hold to that opinion although he
appeared to he quite unperturbed at our meeting,
neither self-conscious nor markedly nervous.
But, of course, the King of England is
quite accustomed to meeting celebrated men,
and when brought into the presence of even a
High Commissioner of Australia is so well
schooled by association with great personages
of minor importance that he goes through the
ordeal without a tremor.
Of course, I had His Majesty at a disadvantage.
He was not the first King r bad ever
met; but I was his first High Commissioner
of Australia, so, ail things considered, he behaved
remarkably well.
Edward was highly gratified when he found
me willing to permit him to confer honours
upon me. To please him, I knelt while he performed
the ceremony of the accolade. He has
asked me to acccpt the sword with which the
deed was done, and I may consent. I shall
present him with the cocked hat I wore on this
auspicious occasion. It will please the Empire,
and won't hurt me.
I had Edward to dinner, bv-tlie-way. He was
obviously impressed by my lavish hospitality.
I was reallv kind to liim. In the first place,
my disposition is kindly, and in tlie second I
Jrcw the carving-knife, find said : ' Rise,
t'-1 -1 jayor of Booribidgeebingbongbingalongoni;.' "
' V , ^
/» v
ylMbyrt to be part of my duty as High Cocka
I mean Commissioner—for Australia to
open my heart to one who has done so much
for my country.
After nuts I told Eddie some of my best
stories, especially the one, about the widow who
couldn't marry again because her first husband
was living. I also recited all my most brilliant
replies to interjectors at electioneering
meetings. You never saw a King laugh so
Later JEd. told me a few little bright things
he had picked up on the Continent. I had
heard them all before, but I trust I was too
much of a gentleman to sa.y so.
After this the conversation turned on Australia,
and I was so pleased with Ed's nice
remarks about my country that I immediately
conferred upon him the freedom of Sydney and
Melbourne.
I told old Ed. that my country was verv
well .disposed towards him indeed and then I
gave him mv Photograph. I said
"Ed., old fellow, any time you care to visit
Australia just mention my name and it will
be all right."
"George," be answered, "you're a snlendid
fellow, a noble fellow."
"Of course, Ned," i said • "men in our nosi
Won have to be." '
H e embraced me, and made me Buke of
DuckinKham on the spot and I drew the carvjng-knife,
and, requesting him to kneel touched
him gracefully, conferred upon him a liieh dienity,
saying: "Rise, Lord Mayor of Booribidgeebingboligbingalongong."
We parted on the very best of terms, and at
^y solicitation dear old Ned has promised to
hang up large posters in seven colours adverfcising
Australia, on the walls of all palaces
and royal residences, and to distribute any
dodgers I care to supply among impecunious
peers who may think of emigrating,
So, vou see, UP to now Y have been a distinguished
succcss in my new office,
. Yours sincerely,
SAME OLD GEORGE.
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