The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-12-11

the dais, that intended for the Queen being
prefusely gilt, and covered with gold embrOi-
derry upon a crimson ground, and displaying
the royal arms. On either side of the dais
and completely filing the space TO the gal
leries, profusion of exOtios and the choicest
plants send forth their refreshing perfumes,
and nature and art are thus so charmingly
allied that neither seems to suffer from the
union.
The Hall is filed with the privileged spec
tators. The Aldermen and members of the
Town Council have taken their respective
positions near the throne and now-preceded
by the Mayor and Town Clerk, who, as they
walk backward, bowling and scraping at every
step, present an appearance extremely ludi-
crous-the Queen and the Prince Consort ad-
vance arm in arm, midst breathless silence,
along the riohly-carpeted aisle.
Immediately on her Majesty ascending the
throne, the great organ pesls forth the Ma
tional Anthem, and the voices of an efficient
choir resound throughout the spacious Hall
with thrilling effect. The anthem concluded,
the Town Clerk, attired in the usual black
court-dress, and wearing his official silk robe,
steps forward, and, after a profound obeisance,
proceeds to read the address of the corpora
ton. This over, his worship, the Mayor
ia ordinary court costume, minus the
sword, a state robe of scarlet cloth
trimmed with black velvet and sable, and
covered with chevrons of gold lace,
presenting a tout ensemble strongly sug-
gestive of the old sycophant "Polonius''
in the play of Hdmlet-receives the document
from the Town Clerk and advancing to the
foot of the throne, and kneeling on one knee,
presents il to the Queen. Her Majesty grace
fully responds amidst the profoundest silence,
whereupon, at the instance of the Secretary
of State his worship again falls on his knee,
and the Queen, receiving, at her command, a
sword from the officer in waiting, taps there
with the PROSTATE form before her. first on the
right shoulder and then on the left, while at
the same time pronouncing in harlequin fashion
the magic words, "Rise, Sir John pa COM
mand which the venerable recipient of royal
favor obeys with marvellous alacrity, and in
manner striking indicative of Pantaloon in the
pantomime. A smile of evident satisfaction
plays over his countenance at the happy
thought of his sudden transformation from an
unsophisticated burgess into a veritable
knight of the Shire" and, bending low, he
acknowledges with silent gratitude the boon
bestowed upon him.
The members of the corporation and other
| officials are now severally presented to their
sovereign by the newly fedged knight. The
| organ again peals forth the National Anthem
and the ceremony is completed.
II is impossible within the limits of single
article to touch upon the many state forms
and ceremonials which crowd upon my me-
! mory as peculiar to monarchical England, and
must, therefore, rest contented for the pre-
| sent with a slight retrospective view of the
opening of Parliament by the Queen, which
may be regarded as the Londoners grand op-
portunity for seeing Majesty in all the pomp
| of state. To hear the royal speech is a privi-
lege accorded to but few, and, therefore, the
| next best thing is to peep at the royal process
sion on its passage from the palace to the
| House of Peers.
The Queen is not expected to reach the
House before two o'clock P. M, but from early
morn the great ''unwashed' have been afoot
| and from remote Stepney, the wastes of Wap-
ping, and the far distant regions of Stratford
and Hornsey, come pouring steady current of
| sight-seers, who proceeded at once to take
possession of every point where glance of the
royal cOrtege can be obtained.
By eleven the Royal Park and every avail
able space along the route is crowded. Every
tree bears its living load; the palisading fur
| nisbing standing places for a long row of ad-
venturers, who run the risk of being at every
moment impaled on its spikes rather than not
see the show; and as the time passes, and the
/ crowd becomes denser and more dense, men
with planks, tubs, stools, chairs, and crazy
benches make impromptu scaffoldiDgs for such
of the lieges as choose to pay the demanded
sixpence or shilling for their temporary tenure
OF Its creaky space. Still onwards flows
the human tide, which by this time has
changed its character. Instead of corduroy
and cotton dresses, broadcloth, and crinoline
are now predominant. Scaffolding stands
rapidly rise in value; half-crowns are de-
manded, and corduroy sells its envied position
to 'Sydenham pants'' and "Noah's Ark
coats" at a goodly premium. The crowd is
now immense; it is "boundless, endless, and
sublime, and is withal good-tempered, ioou-
lar and at times disposed to harmony the
latter disposition showing itself in assertions,
more patriotic than musical, that "Brittannia's S
the pride of the h'ocean," and that conse-
quently three cheers are required for the red,
white, and blue; or otherwise breaking out in
declarations of instant readiness to lie down
and at once expire for the sake Of 'Bonny
Annie Laurie.''
At half-past l2, detachment OF
Life Guards, in full state uniform, arrive,
and form in couples in front of the
curb-stones along the route, behind
which the spectators, who have hitherto been
held back by numerous relays Of police, have
now the two-fold opportunity of scrutinizing
the colossal forms and well-appointed accou-
trements of the "heavy cavalry" and of hav-
ing at the same time their respective feet
tr0dden into pulp by the cumbrous hOofs OF
the chargers. Ath AAA-
Let the reader suppose that we have sought
for and obtained an eligible site, adjacent to
the Parliament Houses There is nearly an
hour to elapse ere the object of our visit is
attained. The people treading on each
others corns but there is very little ill humoT
notwithstanding. Jokes are freely INDUCED
in, and for the most part partake of the con
ventional forms of the House. 81 move,'
says one, "that Mr.. Policeman do stand h'out
of the way" 81 beg to second the motion, y
cries another. "The hayes 'av it, f" shouts
third, 'and Wen 'av the
- &, - joI,o