Exalted Platitude

Smart Londoners delight to chuckle over what seem to them the excruciating platitudes of U. S. President Calvin Coolidge. Last week however they saw nothing similarly humorous in the following dialogue, which took place between an Exalted Personage and one Albert Rowlands, laborer, employed by the Office of Public Works. Scene: near Hyde Park corner, on the famed bridle path called Rotten Row. Laborer Rowlands is laying a kerbstone along the edge of the Row. Exalted Personage (pulling up his mount): "What is being done here?" Laborer Rowlands (vexed at the question, and not looking up): "What d'you th--" (Then, stammering, as he sees by whom he is addressed) :"I . . . . I mean . . . . I am laying a kerbstone." Exalted Personage (preparing to canter urbanely away): "A kerbstone? Ah, a useful improvement." Laborer Rowlands (wiping cold sweat from his brow, as the hoofbeats recede): "Lor! 'Is Majesty!"

A more than useful improvement for the benefit of Rotton Row riders was suggested recently by dashing Major George Melas, once private secretary to the late King Constantine of Greece. George Melas created a furor among smart, horsey people by proposing that a special riding track with fences (hurdles) be laid out adjoining the Row. Added he: "It would not only promote real horsemanship, but would also afford a display of skill to pedestrians who go to the Row to watch the riders going aimlessly up and down the same straight, monotonous line, showing only that they can hold a saddle, without much enjoying their ride. . . . Spectators would be delighted to see the fences cleared by the riders--and also some saddles cleared now and then--and the riders would have a good opportunity of showing their skill and their horses' value."