New-York tribune., 1886-02-14

they entered, an official askel him. with Difference
bnt frmness, who was the lady. My daughter"
The official no doubt knew that he had daughter
but the answer was decisive, and they passed
together to the sacred floor. To-day most of the
ladies as they arrive are shown to the benches on
the right OF the wOOsack the woOlsack is just in
front of the throne, and there find such seats as
they can. But the seats on the opposite side
reserved. | can see from my perch cards on each,
but do not know what principle, if any,
some mucn more favored than others The
favored ones arrive naturally later than the less
favored. and some do not arrive at all, for among
these danes remain seated to the last some of the
squires who had gone to pay them homage.
There is one point in which to-days proceedings
resembled those of an American political conven-
ton They opened with prayer | ought to have
mentioned it earlier for il occurred long before the
Queen came. and long before the royalties whom
have already named had appeared But one cannot
always he chronological. The prayer came midway
between the opening of tho doors TO the throng OF
sightseers and the approach of Her Majesty. This
indeed is, III theory, like any other sitting of the
House of Lords. The Lord Chancellor took his seat
at l o'clock instead of 4 or D. and the Bishop of
Southwel read prayers. After which matters went
on as before But must cut short the story of these
preliminary incidents. Temalkng only that the two
hours during which | looked on had not n dull
moment in Them The decOrous yiv9city of the
scene never grew still. save when the loud and
slightly harsh tones of the Bishop inspired silence
on everybody else. The music of low voices filled
the chamber, the ripple of laughter was unccasng;
every moment entered some great persOnage. most
often a pceress advancing with dignity and some
times with grace to her appointed seat. Celebrities
were ever visible great officers of the royal house
hold, great Ministers of state. great eX-Allnisteis,
Peers great by rank and of them by character
and services : women whose beauty OF other rcnowl
has filled a kingdom for years past some OF them
not unknown across the Atlantic. There was.
moreover. an AnglO-Amercan contingent and also
an American one American lady whose charm of
manner and gracious presence London has rather
lately learned to admire; another for some years an
ornament and an idol of English society type of
bauty, distinction, originality, intelligence; to
whom the homage OF English and American alike is
offered.
If the Qaccn left Buckingham Palace ut half past
l. she was duc on the throne at o'clock. She is
ordinarily punctnality in person and all was IN
readiness for her some tea minutes before tie hour
doomed from Big Ben. The Peers in their strange
robes OF scarc; c!minc barred, crowned the cross
benches and thc'two longitudinal front benches on
either side. The judges formed compact square of
red gowns and gray wigs Just in front OF the wool
sack on which the Lord Chancellor, with his short
figure and face that forever reminded yon OF IooIe.
still laughed and nodded night and left. Livery seat
in the open siie and end galleries was filled with
ladies, a few attaches of embassies and legations
excepted As the hour drew near, the Prince OF
Wales Quilted the lady 10 whom he had been talk
irc ascended the dais and took the chair on the
right OF the throne to which he IS heir. There he
waited. mOtOulcss The hush grew deeper, the last
murmur OF ni cring conversation dIcd away AMI
still we waited. The door on the left behind the
throne was closed, but through that on the rght
could sNll lie seen a cluster OF scarlet uniforms
Once or twice the door TO the night opened but only
to close and twice Sir Francis Seymour, Master of
Ceremonies to the Court entered and crossed and
quilted the chamber
At tn minutes past > came blIst of tTumpcts
the Queen mad arrived AT the outer entrance. The
whole company rose. The Prince rose and remained
standing. \ moment later the door 70 the right
opcucd and amid perfect Stiffness broken only by the
involuntary rustic OF silk and the never silcnccd
stir OF a multitude the head of the royal procession
was seen advancing, puIonIvants and herdlds III
quaint attire leading the way. The age OF
chivary is gone it survive if IN nothing else.
in costume These living relics OF another and
more picturesque civilization move a. II the weight
uf ar;nor still buIdencl Their limbs. 1t is not the
cuirass but the tabaid wrought IN strange dcvcc
the cOTsrlct has gone uut the GoHhirt ana mantle
are herewith rampant iIOn and leopard c0uchant,
the royal arms of England and scotland ana know
not wnat else cmblaIOned IN velvet and SILK, or
argent, ana gulcs (IaTrNclcnG hIlg Ol arms u
here the Gent leman CshcT of the Black Rod follows
MIN. who prcccdes the Earl Marshal Of the Realm
The Gun OF Maintenance s carried by the Marquis
of Winchester; high privilege TO which he hath
ancestral right as Premier Marquis OF England
The Lord PGiyy Seal and Lord President OF the
Council are rcar-guard 10 the Cup and adS
guard TO the Sw 0rd of state borne by the Marquis
Of Salisbury as Prime Minister. He wclds this gilt
but formidable weapon as If he would gladly lay 1t
down: not as Lord Beaconsicld bore il. upright in
his hands straight before HIM PRIDE III ms port
and with profound enjoyment OF the pageant
wherein he was % great hgnrc
The Queen appears. Her Majesty moves slowly
through the door with that astonishing dignity Of
bearing which nigh forty years Of sovereignty have
bestowed upon her short stout gurc. She IS cad III
deep black trimmed WITH crmiho at the edges; low
neck ANA long tram, and LGI gown i9 better made
than when she last walked through that door near
six wears lgO. On her hcad dadcm OF brillIants;
on her neck giows a living light which ilaahcS TO
the farhest end OF the hal-the priceless Kohl
moor. The Frnce of Wales quits the char by
which he is standing de,cendS the two steps ol thc
daiS, meets his royal mother, bows low, Kisses hcr
hand, and conducts her to the throne; does IL az
with considerable grace and rreproachable humil-
ity of demeGnOr. With the Queen - the Princess
Beatrice in ruby velvet, whom il seems, we are now
ID call the Princess Henry, and attending Her
Majesty is the Mistress Of the Robes duchess OF
Bucceuchl, and a Lady of the Bcdchambcr whom
cannot name Other officers Of the Household
fOllOw-Thc Lord Steward, the Master OF the Horse
the Captain of the IcOmen OF the Guard, the zap
tam OF the Honorable Corps OF Hentlelnen az Aim,
but none OF them do any OF us best0W many
glances. We are all watching the Queen as she
mounts the two steps and s"ats herself on the
throne where the royal robes Of crimson velvet
white silk embroidered in gold, which she ought to
wear are hanging. " hen she has taken her seat
the royal robes do certainly look AZ if they were
part OF the attire of the occupant of the gilt
chair. The procession grouped ltse!1 about the
Queen The Princess Beatrice stood beside her
mother on the right the Duchess of Buccleuch be-
hind and in their company two sons OF the Prince
Of Wales, Prince Albert Victor in liussar uniform,
and Prince George.
The scene was at its height of bIilliancy is more
brilliant | think than any OTHER anrWhc now 10
bc wltncs ed brilliant with color, with the beauty
of women with gems with rank, with great names,
with historic associations. Cloaks and wraps had
drOpped of as the mpany rose ana wonderful was
the Gleam of white shoulders sparkling with youth
and with precious stones when this transformation
,rns ,rrnnrLl MnnN OF thcsc gTcLt lnhlcs Mcre In