By Press Release
These two snippets from the Isle of Wight Observer of 9th July, 1898 record the unusual behaviour of girls from a jam factory visiting Ryde and tells us a little about Queen Victoria’s rings.
ECCENTRIC EXCURSIONISTS — During the past few days a large number of trippers have visited the town. On Saturday thousands must have arrived from Wolverhampton, Walsall, St. Alban’s, and many other places, and there have been several other large excursions since. The behaviour of these excursionists has been on the whole orderly, but their conduct is sometimes eccentric. Among the excursionists were a number of girls, said to belong to a jam factory. While waiting for the boat at the end of the pier they beguiled the time by dancing. At that moment a dapper-looking young soldier happened to pass. About twenty of the girls waylaid him, surrounded him, and joining hands danced round him in a circle while they united in the chorus “Oh, Tommy Atkins, you’re a good ‘un ‘art and ‘and.” The antics of the girls and the despairing expression on the victim’s face, caused roars of laughter amongst the onlookers. The pavilion on Ryde Pier opened for the season on Monday. It has been altered for the performance of stage plays, and a London company have been performing to fairly good audiences the musical farcical play “One of the Family.” The weather has been delightful, and the marine excursions are well patronised.
THE QUEEN’S JEWELLERY — Here is a slight glimpse at the Queen’s taste in jewellery. Her coronation ring is amongst those she prizes most. It is designed to represent Faith, Hope, and Charity, in diamonds, rubies, and emeralds, The ring, however, is very heavy, and the Whitehall Review says it is only worn on State occasions of exceptional solemnity. Jewels which never leave the Queen’s fingers are her wedding and engagement rings, of which the former is worn so thin that it is only kept in position by a “keeper.” The engagement ring is of diamonds, in heart shape, with one magnificent ruby — a stone which the Prince Consort considered typical of love.
