Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-05-12
QUEEN vICTOKGA's KEYS.
How the Gates of London Tower are
Made Secure.

Made Secure.
The time-honored ceremonies that are
still observed when the gates Of the Tow
er OF London are locked flavor of feudal
times. The Queens keys are deposited
when not in use in the residence OF the
Deputy Constable of the fortress, which
stands near the walls Of tine White Tower
overlooking the court in which so many
executions have taken place.
The keys are carried by a member OF
the Corps of YeOmen OF the Guard, or
Beefeaters, as they are commonly called.
The Beefeater is accompanied by an
armed escort from the main guard. whose
duty is in part to protect the guard house
in which the KOh-i-nOor and other jewels
of fabulous value are located.
When the clock on the White Tower be-
gins to chime quarter to II, says Cham
hers Journal, the word 'keysw uttered
in a steDtorian tone by sergeant r0uses
the soldiers, who are usually slumberlng
with much apparent comfort on the
wooden guard bed. In few moments
they are transferred to the exit riOr of the
building, fully accounted, and accompa-
MED by youthful drummer, who bears
a rather dusty lantern which he has has
tilv lit. The captain Of the guard marches
of the little party towards the cOnsta-
b e's house. There the soldiers are met
by the warder, suspended from whose
hand, as be descends the steps, the
Queens keys jingle merrily.
At this iuncture the sergeant commands
his subordinates, whom he mas halted for
a moment, to "present arms" and the
Beefeater taxes post little In advance Of
his protectors, who forthwith set of in
the direction OF the gates. The first sem
try to he passed stand eXpectant under
the veranda at the EFT 'ance to the guard
room. where is also the whole guard not
elsewhere engaged. 1t has been "turned
out" to 10 honor TO the keys.
When the sentry sees the escort headed
by the lantern coming very near to his
post ne calls out:
Halt! who comes thereP
The advancing party is brought to
standstill by this summons, and the
warder, who, as a rule, is enveloped IN
the folds of an Anticipated looking cloak.
replies IN kind OF sepulchral tone OF
voice: "KeYsP
Whose keysy' inquiries the soldier.
who is meanwhile standing with piece
al port" an attitude preparatory TO as
Stunning that OF the "cbarge."
The warder answers; "Queen Victoria's
KEYS"
But even now the escort is not permit
ted to proceed on its journey; for, the OBJ
durate sentry coming down to the charge.
makes the demand: "Stand, Queen Vic
tOrias keys. Advance one and give the
counterEign."
The password. being well known to the
warder, is of course given, and the sentry
/ cries:
"Pass Queen victOrla's keys. ALPS
we'll"
! After this dialogue has come TO a ter
/ mination the keys are conveyed past the
guard house. being in their transit salutsd
/ by the assembled guard, which is then
"urned in"
/ Before the Beefeater and the escort
/ have marched twenty yards, further Oh
/ structOns appear in the forms of the Wig
/ liant sentinels at the Jewel House aud
| the Traitors Gate, which latter was once
used for the admission OF traitors brought
/ d ,wn the river from Westminster. In
succession each of the soldiers email
| lenges IN the same way as his cOmrade at
! the main guard.
When the Beeieater has satisfactorily
answered both men, the party moves on
ward for some little distance. and is a
( fourth time brought TO halt by "A sentry
AT tue Byward Gate. The sentry here
having been satisded as to the character
OF the escort, 1t passes on, traverses \
causeway leading across the mOSt, and
reaches the Spur Guard. There. OF course,
81 II stopped by sentry Belonging 20 that
body; aud the keys are eYeutua ly salutei
by thls soldier, as well as by tue guard Of
which he forms "A unit.
And now, atter all those Impediments
have been overcome. the Barrier Gate Is
at length approached, its custodian
having been appeased In the stere0typed
manner. The Barrier Gate Is the outer.
most gate of the Tower, and IL Is neces-
ssriy lne first 20 he locked.
The warden, who marches little in
front ut the escort. wnen he is within
some fifteen or twenty PAGES distance
from The gate, halts. Then the men COM
O,ing the escort advance, aud under the
perlnphdenee OF tue sergeant, line the
s'ioa Of the road, faciug inwards towards
a. middle.
Inr Beefeater, with considerable solem.
ui'y Di deme0nor, now walks up between
Toe ranks, selects the appropriate Key
and locks the gate, which IN the mean
time has been closed by a corporal. This
operation accom- plished, and having given
the gate a shake 20 assure mself Of lie
being properly fastened, the Bcefeatpr 70.
sumes his position few Yards away,
passing as before between the lines OF SOL
diers. Arms are presented Co the KEYS,
both when they are proceeding 10 the
gate and when they are retiring from it,
by word Of command from the sergeant
for the officer remains behind with iho
main guard.
The party 10 now rearranged in the or.
der OF march. ana at once retraces its
steps to the next gate 10 be secured, the
one az the Barbican or Spur Guard. On
the outer side OF the ditch, this portal Is
exactly opposite the Byward Gate, which
Is situated on It's inner hank. Having