Jack & the Dragon

Last week the Prince of Wales learned of strange doings at famed Carnarvon Castle in his principality. Welsh students who hold King George and his eldest son in low esteem had unmistakably shown their feelings.

On St. David's Eve the students requested that Carnarvon Castle fly not the British Union Jack but the Welsh Red Dragon on St. David's Day.* But at daybreak, the Union Jack was smartly hoisted.

Promptly the students overpowered Carnarvon Castle's guards, pulled down the Jack, hoisted the Dragon and nailed it to the mast. Hours passed. Attracted by the novel sight, Welshmen and Welshwomen gathered, cheered.

Inside Carnarvon Castle its loyal guards were taking steps. Slowly and with difficulty they managed to tear the Dragon down, and hoist the Jack. Cheering ceased.

Grimly the Welsh students returned in greater force, overpowered the Castle guard again, nailed up their Dragon a second time, marched off carrying the Jack. In the middle of Carnarvon Market Square the students tore the Union Jack into large strips, small strips, shreds. Nobody interfered.

The Prince of Wales, fortnight ago, expressed his "debt" to 300 London editors, said that he is always glad to oblige the Press by furnishing an extra bit of "copy." Last week H. R. H. could have made "copy" that would have thundered round the world merely by mentioning Carnarvon's students. No fool, he kept his mouth shut. Most of his father's subjects never even heard that a Jack had been shredded.

Most famed Welshman is David Lloyd George. He, potent David though he was unable to persuade His Majesty's Office of Works to issue an order permitting Dragon flying on St. David's day. Commenting on David Lloyd George's failure, the Manchester Guardian said, "At the Office of Works they should fly their own flag, consisting of streamers of red tape."

Apologetically His Majesty's First Commissioner of Works, the Hon. Willis George Arthur Ormsby-Gore, author of Florentine Sculptors of the Fifteenth Century, explained: "If an exception were to be made on the occasion of St. David's Day it would inevitably lead to a similar exception on the occasion of St. Patrick's Day."

*To his royal parents, Edward of Wales is David.

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