The aesthetic Archbishop BENSON has an eye for colour. At Truro, the
_Times_ report says, "he wore his scarlet robe and train, which, as he
moved from place to place in the Cathedral"--very restless of him, by
the way--"was upborne by two little acolytes clad in scarlet cassocks
and dainty surplices of lawn, and wearing tiny scarlet caps upon their
heads." The Archbishop is the big scarlet, and the tiny acolytes might
be called the scarletini. And to think that years ago this sudden
outbreak of archiepiscopal brilliancy would have been inveighed against
as trifling with the "Scarlet Lady." H.R.H. made an excellent speech on
the occasion, and, with the effect of colour still in his memory, he
could not resist reminding the aesthetic Dr. BENSON that "seven years and
a half ago"--nothing like being exact--"he (H.R.H.) was enabled to lay
the foundation stone of this Cathedral with Masonic honours."
"Archbishop in scarlet, forsooth! scarlet tiny acolytes!" (such was
evidently the rebuke conveyed in H.R.H.'s speech)--"you should just see
Me as Most Worshipful Grand Master, with my Wardens, Deacons, Chaplains,
and Tylers! Why, in comparison with that blaze of splendour, you and
your scarlet are nowhere. However, Ladies and Gentlemen, I came here on
this occasion, not 'to oblige BENSON,' but to visit this ancient Duchy
in my popular character of Duke of CORNWALL. _Au revoir._"
* * * * *
Monsignor PERSICO, _Truth_ says, stayed with Archbishop CROKE, and dined
with the witty and popular Father JAMES HEALY, P.P. of Little Bray.
Well, Monsignor PERSICO must have heard a great deal of croke-ing, but
let us hope he has got some remedies for healy-ing the wounds of the
distressful country from _Mr. Punch's_ good friend, Father JAMES, of
Little Bray, and precious little bray about him.
* * * * *