Down Under With The Prince - free ebook by Everard Cotes

Read as playlist

Down Under With The Prince

Everard Cotes

45 chapters

6 hour read

Read as playlist

Selected Chapters

45 chapters

EVERARD COTES

EVERARD COTES

WITH TWENTY-THREE ILLUSTRATIONS METHUEN &amp; CO. LTD. 36 ESSEX STREET, W.C. LONDON First Published in 1921 BY THE SAME AUTHOR Signs and Portents in the Far East This book attempts to be a gangway to the Renown for the reader who would travel by battle-cruiser, by train, on horseback, by motor, and on foot, the forty-five thousand miles of his Australasian tour with H.R.H. the Prince of Wales. It is built by one who travelled, as a correspondent, with him all the way....

1 minute read

Read Chapter

DOWN UNDER WITH THE PRINCE I AT SEA

DOWN UNDER WITH THE PRINCE I AT SEA

One March morning of last year, an ordinary train moved out of Waterloo Station for Portsmouth, and among the ordinary people it carried were at least two or three who were going further. They sat together and smoked, and exchanged experiences and speculations. As the train slowed down at Portsmouth Harbour they looked from the carriage windows and saw the fighting tops of a big battle-cruiser lifted grey against the sky above the houses of the foreshore, and one said to another "There she is."

9 minute read

Read Chapter

II BARBADOS

II BARBADOS

Gloom was cast over the Renown , the day before reaching Barbados, by the falling overboard, in rough weather, of a fine young gunner of marines, who was sitting on the taffrail gaily talking to his mates when a roll came that sent him into the sea. The poor fellow had hardly stopped falling when patent life-buoys, which sent out white clouds of smoke, easily visible in the bright afternoon sunshine, were dropped. The big ship swung round. The man was swimming, when lost to view amongst white-to

7 minute read

Read Chapter

III PANAMA

III PANAMA

At dawn, in hot, soft, hazy weather, the Renown , followed by the Calcutta , left the blue, transparent waters of the Caribbean Sea and entered the green, muddy channel, fringed with dense, verdant forest, which is the beginning of the Panama Canal. Three aeroplanes, each bearing the stripes of the American Air Service, droned overhead in noisy welcome. Resonant concussions and white, fleecy puffs of smoke amidst low wharves and jetties where Colon lay in the forest, spread a Royal salute upon t

8 minute read

Read Chapter

IV SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

IV SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

In passing the Culebra Cut landslide, in the Panama Canal, one of the propellers of the Renown touched a submerged rock which had escaped the notice of the surveyors. When Balboa harbour was reached the ship's divers went down to see what the damage amounted to; and as poking about the cruiser's bottom, thirty-three feet below the surface, in muddy water infested with sharks, is, to say the least, an unpleasant task, it was characteristic of the ship that one of the first to don diving-dress and

5 minute read

Read Chapter

V HONOLULU

V HONOLULU

In warm, moist atmosphere, and the tropical light that glares beneath a cloudy sky, the Renown dropped anchor in the open roadstead off the rocky coast of Honolulu. Around the ship were depths of clear, iridescent blue, with streaks of brilliant green where the water shallowed inshore. Further on, a line of low, white breakers bounded a green patchwork of undulating cultivation which sloped upwards, with occasional ploughed fields of red, volcanic soil, towards a cloud-topped horizon of mountain

9 minute read

Read Chapter

VI NEPTUNE BOARDS THE RENOWN

VI NEPTUNE BOARDS THE RENOWN

The relations between the Royal Navy and H.M. King Neptune are known to partake of the spirit of compromise which so happily characterizes the British Empire elsewhere. Neptune permits the suzerainty but demands a certain ceremonial which acknowledges his ancient rights. The function has a date and a determination and is observed by all King George's vessels on crossing the Equatorial line. It is in the nature of an initiation and lends itself to gruesome and alarmist description. For days befor

7 minute read

Read Chapter

VII FIJI

VII FIJI

Fiji was the next place of call. Warm rain drove blusterously into our faces, while dense grey mist enveloped the land and shut out the sun, as the Renown felt her way between wreck-strewn barrier reefs, over which the surf was breaking heavily, and dropped anchor, to the tick of the appointed time, in the sheltered water of Suva Bay. As the ship cleared the harbour entrance, a fleet of sailing craft, including a number of decked, outrigged war-canoes, with pear-shaped mat-sails and half-naked c

5 minute read

Read Chapter

VIII AUCKLAND

VIII AUCKLAND

A still, sun-filled autumn morning, with crisp sharp air that made it a pleasure to be alive, on wide, sheltered mother-of-pearl waters, bounded by grassy hills, with frequent hummocks and white gleaming cliffs, greeted the Renown as she neared New Zealand on the morning of the 24th of April, 1920. Dotted over the hills, like sheep at grazing, were numerous red-roofed country houses, which developed pleasant gardens with green fields between as the distance decreased. Out of shadowy bays and inl

11 minute read

Read Chapter

IX NORTH ISLAND

IX NORTH ISLAND

Among the telegrams which met the Royal train on its way from Auckland to Rotorua was one of a character which differed from the rest. The message was addressed to Rt. Hon. William Massey, that embodiment of notable ability, kindly good sense and unquenchable spirit whom this Dominion is so fortunate as to have as Prime Minister, who was on the train. It announced a general railway strike unless certain demands of drivers and men, some time pending, were agreed to by the Government. It was in th

16 minute read

Read Chapter

X SOUTH ISLAND

X SOUTH ISLAND

The still, crisp, autumn morning of the 22nd of May brought the Renown into the silver inland sea of Charlotte Sound, with sunny hills sloping to the water's edge on either side—a great grey bird she looked, reflected in a jade-framed mirror. Rounding a steep guarding islet, the big ship anchored in view of the inner harbour, the pleasant little red-roofed whaling station of Picton climbing up the slope at the further end, the houses gay with familiar flowers, and homely with pecking fowls, amen

16 minute read

Read Chapter

XI ENTERPRISE IN NEW ZEALAND

XI ENTERPRISE IN NEW ZEALAND

It is impossible to travel through New Zealand and to meet the men it sends into public life, without being impressed by the high character, moderation and conservativeness which characterize politics in this Dominion. The financial position of the Dominion is also relatively good, for although New Zealand's public debt bears a proportion to its population not far different from the corresponding proportion in England, there are two factors which make the situation of the Dominion definitely mor

15 minute read

Read Chapter

XII VICTORIA

XII VICTORIA

The voyage from Lyttleton to Melbourne was rough but uneventful. The Renown did the 1,651 miles in three days, and very uncomfortable days they were. She carried a new passenger in the fine bulldog presented to the ward-room mess by the Mayor of Gisborne, but it languished so grievously that it had to find a new home in the Commonwealth. It had joined the Navy too late in life. The Prince had his first view of Australia by moonlight. The sea had then gone down and mist hung in the narrow strait

20 minute read

Read Chapter

XIII NEW SOUTH WALES

XIII NEW SOUTH WALES

Towards the end of the visit to Melbourne it became plain that the tension of repeated functions and strenuous journeys had begun to tell upon the Prince. He held out manfully, but was clearly overtired. This was by no means surprising, at all events to any member of the tour party, for all had begun to feel a strain which fell in a degree vastly multiplied upon His Royal Highness. That well-informed journal, "The Melbourne Argus," referring to the matter, said: "When the programme was arranged,

17 minute read

Read Chapter

XIV SOME COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

XIV SOME COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

"One heritage we share though seas divide" surmounted one of the decorated arches on the route traversed by the Prince on the day of the military review at the Centennial Park, Sydney—a phrase no doubt, but one that expressed the sentiment which pervaded this striking occasion. Major-General Sir Charles Rosenthal commanded the parade, which included a naval detachment under Lt.-Commander Patrick, a body of Light Horse under Major-General Ryrie, and portions of five Divisions respectively under B

11 minute read

Read Chapter

XV WESTERN AUSTRALIA

XV WESTERN AUSTRALIA

The Prince went from Sydney two thousand miles by sea to Western Australia, a state as large as the combined areas of England, France, Germany, Austria, Spain, and Holland, with a population of less than half a million people to develop this stupendous territory. On the way, in traversing the Australian Bight, that borders the southern coast of the continent, the Renown encountered weather remarkably bad even for this region of frequent gales. Green seas swept over forecastle and quarter-deck al

9 minute read

Read Chapter

XVI WHEAT, GOLD, AND LOGGING

XVI WHEAT, GOLD, AND LOGGING

The state saw-mills and logging-camps of Pemberton, about a hundred miles southward along the coast, made an important fixture from Perth. On this occasion the Prince was accompanied by the Premier and other members of the West Australian State Government and was conducted by Mr. Humphries, state saw-mills manager. He was taken over mills where the enduring Karri trees in trunks sixty feet long and seven feet through were being sliced by revolving saws into uniform railway sleepers for export. H

11 minute read

Read Chapter

XVII THE NULLARBOR PLAIN

XVII THE NULLARBOR PLAIN

At Kalgoorlie the Prince left the simply equipped three-feet-six-inch gauge of the West Australian State Railway, and continued his journey, at forty miles an hour, on a luxuriously fitted and smooth-running train on the standard gauge of the Trans-Australian line. In charge of the train was Mr. Norris Bell, the eminent engineer who controlled the construction of the line, and is now running it in such a way that, despite almost total absence of local traffic, it is nearly paying its working exp

5 minute read

Read Chapter

XVIII SOUTH AUSTRALIA

XVIII SOUTH AUSTRALIA

The Prince alighted at sundown at the shipping centre Port Augusta, at the head of Spencer gulf, and was welcomed to South Australia by Mr. Barwell, State Premier, and other members of the Cabinet. A civic reception was held, and the party changed over from the standard gauge train of the Trans-Australian Railway, into a train on the narrow gauge of South Australia, which was standing in the station profusely decorated for the occasion. A start was then made on the two hundred and sixty miles th

7 minute read

Read Chapter

XIX TASMANIA

XIX TASMANIA

The Prince's reception at Hobart, Tasmania, was a great popular occasion. Decorations had been kept up and renewed since the preceding month, when the visit was originally to have taken place, and were still imposing, while the crowds along the processional route, which was several miles in length, were enormous. The Governor, Sir William Allardice, paid a ceremonial visit to the Prince immediately the Renown anchored off Ocean Pier. On landing the Prince was received by Sir Walter Lee, State Pr

7 minute read

Read Chapter

XX QUEENSLAND

XX QUEENSLAND

Accompanied by His Majesty's Australian Ship Australia , and two destroyers, the Renown made a fine weather voyage to Sydney from Tasmania. After crossing the Bass Strait the course was close inshore along the beautifully wooded hills of New South Wales, and boats laden with people put out from the small whaling port of Eden to greet the Prince. Loyal messages were also flashed from homesteads further up the coast when the Renown came in sight, transmitted by men, now back in their homes, who ha

20 minute read

Read Chapter

XXI THE JACKAROO AND OTHERS

XXI THE JACKAROO AND OTHERS

When the Prince left Queensland he had practically completed his official tour of the Australian States. There remained for him the improvised series of visits to the back-blocks of New South Wales, which took the place of the abandoned journey to New Guinea. Here he stayed in the houses of squatters, some of them controlling sheep-runs hundreds of thousands of acres in extent, and mingled in the most informal manner in country life and country pastimes. In the wonderful air of this region he re

8 minute read

Read Chapter

XXII AMONGST THE SHEEP

XXII AMONGST THE SHEEP

Within the memory of men who have not yet reached middle age, sheep-rearing in Australia was a gamble. At one time large fortunes might be made, at another the fruits of long years of thrift and labour might be swept away by causes which appeared to be outside human control. Now the industry has become a science. The settler may make more or he may make less, according as the world price for wool is high or low. He has his welfare in his own hands, however, and has only to go the right way to wo

12 minute read

Read Chapter

XXIII EASTWARD HO

XXIII EASTWARD HO

After leaving Sydney the Renown made a record run, much of it at twenty knots an hour, to catch up time. The Prince thus arrived at Fiji punctually to his programme, in spite of having been delayed at Sydney waiting for the mail. He landed at Suva, where he was received as cordially and by as large and picturesque a gathering as had greeted his first arrival at this port. His visit was informal, but he attended a civic reception in the beautiful Botanical Gardens, followed by a ride across count

11 minute read

Read Chapter

XXIV THE WEST INDIES

XXIV THE WEST INDIES

An epidemic in Jamaica abridged the West Indian part of the tour, but the Renown visited several of the other islands, beginning with Trinidad, where the flotilla anchored three days after leaving Colon in the quiet roadstead off Port of Spain. Here Sir John Chancellor, Governor of the Island, came on board to pay his respects to the Prince, who shortly afterwards landed. The entire city of Port of Spain had been effectively decorated. Sugar-cane-stalks, cocoa-pods, and coco-nuts, were worked in

18 minute read

Read Chapter

XXV THE BERMUDAS

XXV THE BERMUDAS

The picturesque islands of Bermuda, in the North Atlantic, the last halting-place upon the Prince's tour, put up a brave show in honour of the Royal visitor. The Renown anchored at daylight on 1st October in the open sea off what is known as "Five Fathom Hole," where the cobalt of the deeper sea shaded into greenish patches above treacherous coral reefs. Through tortuous channels the Calcutta , to which the Prince had transhipped, felt her way, skirting on her left a prominent rock celebrated as

5 minute read

Read Chapter

XXVI THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE TOUR

XXVI THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE TOUR

This Chapter is, by kind permission, largely reproduced from an article by the writer published in the "Nineteenth Century" of December, 1920. "The tumult and the shouting dies," and what, now that it is over, remains to Britain of the enterprise? What treasure came back in the Renown to make this Royal adventure worth while? The word may be disputed. The nation's heir, it may be said, does not adventure in travelling to the hearths of kinsfolk. There is no adventure in a voyage surrounded by ev

12 minute read

Read Chapter

PUBLICATIONS

PUBLICATIONS

This Catalogue contains only a selection of the more important books published by Messrs. Methuen. A complete catalogue of their publications may be obtained on application. Bain (F. W.) — A Digit of the Moon : a Hindoo Love Story. The Descent of the Sun : A Cycle of Birth. A Heifer of the Dawn. In the Great God's Hair. A Draught of the Blue. An Essence of the Dusk. An Incarnation of the Snow. A Mine of Faults. The Ashes of a God. Bubbles of the Foam. A Syrup of the Bees. The Livery of Eve. The

17 minute read

Read Chapter

Ancient Cities

Ancient Cities

General Editor, Sir B. C. A. WINDLE Cr. 8vo. 6 s. net each volume With Illustrations by E. H. New , and other Artists Bristol. Canterbury. Chester. Dublin. Edinburgh. Lincoln. Shrewsbury Wells and Glastonbury....

14 minute read

Read Chapter

The Antiquary's Books

The Antiquary's Books

General Editor, J. CHARLES COX Demy 8vo. 10 s. 6 d. net each volume With Numerous Illustrations Ancient Painted Glass in England. Archæology and False Antiquities. The Bells of England. The Brasses of England. The Castles and Walled Towns of England. Celtic Art in Pagan and Christian Times. Church-wardens' Accounts. The Domesday Inquest. English Church Furniture. English Costume. English Monastic Life. English Seals. Folk-Lore as an Historical Science. The Gilds and Companies of London. The Herm

1 minute read

Read Chapter

The Arden Shakespeare

The Arden Shakespeare

General Editor, R. H. CASE Demy 8vo. 6 s. net each volume An edition of Shakespeare in Single Plays; each edited with a full Introduction, Textual Notes, and a Commentary at the foot of the page....

12 minute read

Read Chapter

Classics of Art

Classics of Art

Edited by Dr. J. H. W. LAING With numerous Illustrations. Wide Royal 8vo The Art of the Greeks , 15 s. net. The Art of the Romans , 16 s. net. Chardin , 15 s. net. Donatello , 16 s. net. George Romney , 15 s. net. Ghirlandaio , 15 s. net. Lawrence , 25 s. net. Michelangelo , 15 s. net. Raphael , 15 s. net. Rembrandt's Etchings , Two Vols., 25 s. net. Tintoretto , 16 s. net. Titian , 16 s. net. Turner's Sketches and Drawings , 15 s. net. Velazquez , 15 s. net....

48 minute read

Read Chapter

The 'Complete' Series

The 'Complete' Series

Fully Illustrated. Demy 8vo The Complete Amateur Boxer , 10 s. 6 d. net. The Complete Association Footballer , 10 s. 6 d. net. The Complete Athletic Trainer , 10 s. 6 d. net. The Complete Billiard Player , 12 s. 6 d. net. The Complete Cook , 10 s. 6 d. net. The Complete Cricketer , 10 s. 6 d. net. The Complete Foxhunter , 16 s. net. The Complete Golfer , 12 s. 6 d. net. The Complete Hockey-Player , 10 s. 6 d. net. The Complete Horseman , 12 s. 6 d. net. The Complete Jujitsuan. Cr. 8vo. 5 s. net.

1 minute read

Read Chapter

The Connoisseur's Library

The Connoisseur's Library

With numerous Illustrations. Wide Royal 8vo. 25 s. net each volume English Coloured Books. English Furniture. Etchings. European Enamels. Fine Books. Glass. Goldsmiths' and Silversmiths' Work. Illuminated Manuscripts. Ivories. Jewellery. Mezzotints. Miniatures. Porcelain. Seals. Wood Sculpture....

22 minute read

Read Chapter

Handbooks of Theology

Handbooks of Theology

Demy 8vo The Doctrine of the Incarnation , 15 s. net. A History of Early Christian Doctrine , 16 s. net. Introduction to the History of Religion , 12 s. 6 d. net. An Introduction to the History of the Creeds , 12 s. 6 d. net. The Philosophy of Religion in England and America , 12 s. 6 d. net. The XXXIX Articles of the Church of England , 15 s. net....

28 minute read

Read Chapter

Health Series

Health Series

Fcap 8 vo. 2 s. 6 d. net The Baby. The Care of the Body. The Care of the Teeth. The Eyes of our Children. Health for the Middle-Aged. The Health of a Woman. The Health of the Skin. How to Live Long. The Prevention of the Common Cold. Staying the Plague. Throat and Ear Troubles. Tuberculosis. The Health of the Child , 2 s. net....

31 minute read

Read Chapter

Leaders of Religion

Leaders of Religion

Edited by H. C. BEECHING. With Portraits Crown 8vo. 3 s. net each volume...

6 minute read

Read Chapter

The Library of Devotion

The Library of Devotion

Handy Editions of the great Devotional Books, well edited. With Introductions and (where necessary) Notes. Small Pott 8vo, cloth , 3 s. net and 3 s. 6 d. net...

11 minute read

Read Chapter

Little Books on Art

Little Books on Art

With many Illustrations. Demy 16mo. 5 s. net each volume Each volume consists of about 200 pages, and contains from 30 to 40 Illustrations, including a Frontispiece in Photogravure Albrecht Dürer. The Arts of Japan. Bookplates. Botticelli. Burne-Jones. Cellini. Christian Symbolism. Christ in Art. Claude. Constable. Corot. Early English Water-Colour. Enamels. Frederic Leighton. George Romney. Greek Art. Greuze and Boucher. Holbein. Illuminated Manuscripts. Jewellery. John Hoppner. Sir Joshua Reyn

53 minute read

Read Chapter

The Little Guides

The Little Guides

With many Illustrations by E. H. New and other artists, and from photographs Small Pott 8vo. 4 s. net , 5 s. net, and 6 s. net Guides to the English and Welsh Counties, and some well-known districts The main features of these Guides are (1) a handy and charming form; (2) illustrations from photographs and by well-known artists; (3) good plans and maps; (4) an adequate but compact presentation of everything that is interesting in the natural features, history, archæology, and architecture of the

29 minute read

Read Chapter

The Little Quarto Shakespeare

The Little Quarto Shakespeare

Edited by W. J. CRAIG. With Introductions and Notes Pott 16mo. 40 Volumes. Leather, price 1 s. 9 d. net each volume Cloth , 1 s. 6 d. Plays Fcap. 8vo. 3 s. 6 d. net Milestones. Arnold Bennett and Edward Knoblock. Ninth Edition. Ideal Husband, An. Oscar Wilde. Acting Edition. Kismet. Edward Knoblock. Fourth Edition. Typhoon. A Play in Four Acts. Melchior Lengyel. English Version by Laurence Irving. Second Edition. Ware Case, The. George Pleydell. General Post. J. E. Harold Terry. Second Edition.

37 minute read

Read Chapter

Sports Series

Sports Series

Illustrated. Fcap. 8vo All About Flying , 3 s. net. Golf Do's and Dont's , 2 s. net. The Golfing Swing. 2 s. 6 d. net. How to Swim , 2 s. net. Lawn Tennis , 3 s. net. Skating , 3 s. net. Cross-Country Ski-ing , 5 s. net. Wrestling , 2 s. net. Quick Cuts to Good Golf , 2 s. 6 d. net. Hockey , 4 s. net....

33 minute read

Read Chapter

The Westminster Commentaries

The Westminster Commentaries

General Editor, WALTER LOCK Demy 8vo The Acts of the Apostles , 16 s. net. Amos , 8 s. 6 d. net. I. Corinthians , 8 s. 6 d. net. Exodus , 15 s. net. Ezekiel , 12 s. 6 d. net. Genesis , 16 s. net. Hebrews , 8 s. 6 d. net. Isaiah , 16 s. net. Jeremiah , 16 s. net. Job , 8 s. 6 d. net. The Pastoral Epistles , 8 s. 6 d. net. The Philippians , 8 s. 6 d. net. St. James , 8 s. 6 d. net. St. Matthew , 15 s. net....

51 minute read

Read Chapter

Methuen's Two-Shilling Library

Methuen's Two-Shilling Library

Cheap Editions of many Popular Books Fcap. 8vo Bennett (Arnold) — Clayhanger , 8 s. net. Hilda Lessways , 8 s. 6 d. net. These Twain. The Card. The Regent : A Five Towns Story of Adventure in London. The Price of Love. Buried Alive. A Man from the North. The Matador of the Five Towns. Whom God hath Joined. A Great Man : A Frolic. All 7 s. 6 d. net. Birmingham (George A.) — Spanish Gold. The Search Party. Lalage's Lovers. The Bad Times. Up, the Rebels. All 7 s. 6 d. net. Inisheeny , 8 s. 6 d. net

8 minute read

Read Chapter

Methuen's Two-Shilling Novels

Methuen's Two-Shilling Novels

Cheap Editions of many of the most Popular Novels of the day Write for Complete List Fcap. 8vo....

6 minute read

Read Chapter