Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1881-12-16

titled imaginations can perhaps
imagine they were with me. As
remarked before, it seems to have
happened a long while ago, in sum-
mer time, and now we are on the
threshold of winter.
/. We have had sunshine and fog.
hail, snow and plenty ofrain, but are
thankful that we have had fneweath-
| er for GuyFawkes' and Lord Mayors
days. Not for many years have SO
many Guys" been seen, and it is
to be hoped that never will SO many
be seen again. Generally a stuffed
figure, representing nothing in par
ticular, carried about by boys with
blackened faces did service, but in
some elaborate cases we had Guiteau,
Parnell, LEROY and others. In the
evening | was reminded of amateur
fireworks at home In all directions
were urchIns engaged in putting off
rockets that seemed bent on doing
anything but ascend, and wheels
which had no notion OF revolving.
The papers next day had the usual
catalogue Of damaged fingers and
faces.
To-day, however, has been the
great day of the year for all those
who enjoy a crowd. The Lord
Mayors Day is not generally SO
/ fine, and the crowd has been greater
in consequence.
/ took time yesterday to see the
arches in the city, and in each case
felt a thrill Of pleasure on seeing the
stars and stripes in the place Of
honor. Last night the streets were
sprinkled with gravel, and this
morning, all traffic was stopped on
those streets where the " show was
to pass. Two years ago we were on
the line of march, and had our win
dows barricadcd and filled with
spectators, who brought lunch with
them, one gentleman supplying a
dozen Of champagne. There has
been no such luck since, and |
shiver when think of my expert
ence OF last year when stood on
the steps in front of st. Paul's,
unable TO move either way, sea Of
heads in every direction, broken
here and there (the sea not the
heads) by mounted policemen. SO
Disguised was /, that | vowed never
again should curiosity lead me into
such mob. This noon, however,
the clangor Of bells, the rushing of
people, and the thought of the
honor to be shown the American
flag at Westminster, led me forth
once more. Cheapside was river
of people, and the windows of all
the buildings were filed with people
waiting the return Of the procession
to the Guild-hall Finding COM
panion, we elbowed our way to the
underground, and got to Westmin-
ster in time to feel but not see the
procession enter the Palace yard.
Presently the Abbey bells struck up,
then st. Margaret's and all the
neighboring bells, and in the midst
of the almost deafening noise, the
rush and screaming Of the people
and the roar of the cheers, | could
hear "The Star Spangled Banner. !"
What wonder that a tingling sensa-
ton pervaded my nose, weakness
dimned my eyes, as if | had been
indulging in some very risky soda
water. Now then, fall back, fall
back, the policemen were crying.
They're a comin'," " 1t i'm clout
III the heye," !" Iii sigh, who are We
a shown of, !" Knock is bloomin'
ut off, Mary Jane, and many more
such remarks were mingled with the
orders of the police as they pushed
and rammed the crowd back against
the buildings. With a wall of
policeman edging the outside of each
pavement, and a line of gorgeously
uniformed horsemen in front of the
police, the "show" marched past;
band after band q counted twenty
in alb, on foot and mounted, arrayed
III the gorgeous uniforms which suit
such an occasion SO well, fire engines
and tiremen with huge brass helmets,
boys from the training ships, and
then Princess Louise Highlanders
in kits and with all their picturesque
belongings, drums beating and bag
pipes squealng. Then came fur
trimmed aldermen in splendid car
riages, more military bands, Epping
Forest rangers, banners of any num-
Der of worshipful city companies, "
United States flag, with guard Of
honor. and tremendous blasts Of
Star Spangled Banner. 4" Carriages
became more gorgeous, with (ootmen
all gold lace, powder, cooked hats,
and pink silk calves, the late Lord
Mayor and Lady Mayoress go by;
the sheriffs follow; then comes the
Lady Mayoress with maids of hon
or, in white satin coach, and then,
the most dazzling of all, and
fitting climax to SO much glitter.
comes the Lord Mayors carriage,
4