The New York herald., 1876-02-09
would have retired. and the SESSION ofParlia-
ment would have been duly opened.
rHn MONARCH PRESENT.


THn MONARCH PRESENT.
But the actual presence of the Queen
into what is, under other circumstances,
dull and even an absurd ceremony.
In the House of Commons members began
10 arrive as the hour OF noon was booming
from the clock tower One or two iurtively
peeped in, and finding the hall empty save
for the already crowded press gallery, retired.
Then others arrived, aud wnen group dozen
strong was formed in the lobby they over
came those feelings OF modesty which go
powerfully animate the British NJ. p, and
entered the chamber.
A GENEROUSLY BRILLIANT AssEMBLAGE.
esses, ambassadors, officials, courtiors, bishops.
generals in fact the whole category OF lords,
spiritual and temporal, robed in scarlet and
ermine and lending a splendid mass Of color to
the already gorgeous scene. The two long
sides OF the room were occupied by peeresses
and ladies of distinction. In front of them was
a double row of peers. The middle Of the 1oor
was occupied by judges. Magnificent jewels
blazed from the mass of ladies, some OF whom
carried fortunes in their diadems and coronets
OF diamonds. Every other lady had on an
ermine cloak, scarcely less raro and costly than
the Jewels themselves.
FIRST ARBIvALs-MINIsrER scHENcK.
Among the first arrivals of the diplomatic
body came Minister Schenck, clad in Major
Generals uniform. He was affable and dig
ni6ed, and evidently a great favorite, being
accosted by many of the scarlet robed peers,
by members of his own corps and the Duke of
Cambridge, who chatted pleasantly with him
Tor q long time.
THE CEREMONIES
OF the Lord Chancellor, preceded by the mace
and purse bearers.
MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL FAMILY.
Then, simultaneously, the House rose on the
entrance OF the Princess Mary and the Duchess
Duke Of Edinburgh and Duke Of Cambridge to
the woolsack. The royal Dukes then sat
ogether in front OF the opposition bench. Both
were dressed in their peers robes.
OFFICIAL PREPARATIONS.
Aftar q ehort D.psa Sorr nursr;v.ck, ~o-
geously clad, crossed, bowing low between, the
throne and royal Princesses, after which the
heralds slowly took up their position on the LETT
OF the throne.
THE WELCOME TO THE QUEEN.
The splendid audience now rose to welcome
the Queen and the Princess OF Wales and Prin-
cess Beatrice, before whom, on the right,
walked the Marquis of Winchester, bearing the
Cap of Maintenance. and close to whom was
the Duke of Richmond, in peers robes, carry
ing the sword of state.
on THE THRONE.
The Queen walked straight to the throne and
seated herself, having on her right Princess
Beatrice aud on her left Princess Louise the
Marquis of Winchester, with the Cap of Main
tenance, standing on the right, and the Duke
OF Richmond, holding In both hands the sword
the left.
The Princess Of Wales sat Immediately in
front of Her Majesty, Between the Duchesses
oil Edinburgh and Teck. Behind the empty seat
of the Prince Of Wales stood the Lord Chan
cellor. Close by were tho Dukes Of Norfolk and
Northumberland, the latter carrying, on q
crimson cushion, the crown of England, the
Jewels OF which shed out food OF light.
THE COMMONS COMMANDED TO ATTEND.
Beng seated the Queen motoned slightly
with her hand, and ordered that the House of
Commons be assembled. messenger was
then despatched to summon the House Of Com
mons to the presence of the Queen, and few
minutes of absolute silence and stiffness fol-
and murmur OF voices that had prevailed
but short time before. Then there
came sound of quickly trampling feet,
constantly increasing in intensity, until Mr..
Speaker made his appearance at the bar
of the House of Lords, followed by the usual
and often described rush OF the moro swift and
active Of the members. In the front rank OF
these was the Prime Minister, looking as il his
rest during the vacation had been of no small
service to him. As soon as the noise OF the
arrival had beeu hushed the Lord Chancellor
advanced to the foot OF the throne and said ho
was commanded by Her Majesty to read the
speech, and that he would do so in Her Majes-
tvs own words. At this statements there was
probably some general sense OF disappoint-