Great Britain
The Crown
¶ As George V entered the third month of his illness, the King-Emperor was officially described as "making slow progress" and unofficially as "brighter." Last week His Majesty napped frequently, displayed a keener appetite, chatted with Queen Mary several times daily, and asked, but was refused, permission to read.
¶ The London Daily News scooped, last week, the news that "the King's hair has turned pure white."
¶ Prince George and Queen Mary recovered from their colds, the latter after her sore throat had been vigorously sprayed for a fortnight by Dr. G. S. Hett.
Opened in London, last week, but not yet patronized by the Royal Family, was a "Public Inhalatorium." Poor persons with colds may pay tuppence (4¢) to sit in a large chamber inhaling beneficial gases. Individuals of the middle classes will doubtless choose to pay two shillings (48¢) for a booth in which they may sniff privately.
¶ Lady Anne Maud Wellesley, 18-year-old daughter of the Marquis of Douro, and rumored fiancée of Edward of Wales (TIME, Dec. 10), suffered a relapse of her prolonged pneumonia last week. During His Royal Highness' recent tour of British Africa, he received radio bulletins in code concerning Lady Anne's condition.
¶ A certain kind of news is called "American." Admittedly the foremost "American" editor in London is Mr. Ralph D. ("Blum") Blumenfeld of the London Daily Express. Operated by one Dave Blumenfeld, son of Ralph, is the London Feature Service. Last week this enterprising bureau cabled to the U. S. a story "not to be reproduced in the British Isles." Apparently Canadians were considered sufficiently "American" to enjoy what followed:
"Ever since it was realized by the British public that the king was seriously ill Buckingham Palace has been literally inundated with patent medicines and bottles containing unguents made from hundred-year-old recipes sent by well-wishers for His Majesty's recovery. . . . There are phials containing green, red, and yellow liquids; there are chest pastes made from fruits and flour, there are unguents of crushed ginger and honey which have been handed down in recipe from generation to generation, and there is a whole drawer full of protective amulets sent by villagers from nearly every county in the country!
"The public is fully aware that the King has by his bedside the finest physicians and specialists in the country, but a certain number of them are apparently dissatisfied. Every day sees new additions to the ever-growing pile of bottles, and phials, and philtres which are being stored away unopened in special rooms; for to return the medicines to the donors would hurt their feelings, and the officials of the Palace are above all things thoughtful of others.