Huntsville gazette., 1886-03-27

Turkish rug. The members sat in the
auditorium on raised seats, the first
Chamber to the right and the second
to the left of the large aisle running
from the open space to the rear of the
room. In the gallery opposite to the
one it was my privilege to occupy sat
the Crown Princess and the ladies of
the court. She is most gracious and
amiable woman, greatly admired by all
classes for the extreme sweetness and
benignity of her disposition. As each
member of the court passed into the
hall and took his appointed place, he
paused for moment, looked up at the
Princess, and saluted her after the mill
itary fashion, which was recognized by
a gentle inclination of the head. After
all of the Ministers, officers, etc., had
filed in a detachment of guards, known
as Charles XII. satalites, marched in
and were placed in the aisle spoken of
above. They wore dark-blue frock
uniforms, surfaced with yellow, with
yellow w-trimmed hats and gauntlet
gloves of the same saffron hue. Fol-
lowing these came the pages, bare
headed, dressed in green silk uniforms,
with white stockings, clasped by blue
ribbon at the knee Two heralds came
next, bearing maces, followed by the
attendants on Prince Eugenie, the
youngest son, who headed the royal
procession. The Prince wore around
his shoulders long robe of blue vel
vet, Ornamented with crowns, and a
crown upon his head. His three elder
brothers came next in order, wearing
similar mantles, the tails of which were
borne by the chamberlains, the
Crown Prince being distinguished
by having two, while but one
performed this office for the other
princes. They took their seats on
either side of the throne, and as soon
as they were seated the grand master
of ceremonies, with his mace, came in,
followed by the King and his attend
ants. His Majesty wore scarlet vel
vet robe trimmed with ermine, with
large ermine collar about his shoulders;
upon his head was crown set in bril-
liants, rubies and sapphires, while in
his right hand he carried a scepter, and
in his left roll of manuscript. Three
chamberlains bore up his robe while
others accompanied him on either side.
AS soon as he had taken his seat upon
the throne the mace-bearer struck the
floor once, turned to the King, made a
low bow, when his Majesty without
further formality unfolded his manu-
script and commenced to read his adj
dress. The King has magnificent
voice, and brought some little dra-
matte effect into his reading, which,
from the opening sentence of ''Good
Gentlemen and Swedish men," to its
close was listened to with marked at
tention. The reading did not occupy
more than fifteen minutes, after which
the respective presidents of the two
Chambers made brief responses, the
grand master of ceremonies again sa-
luted the King, turned to the members
of the Diet, struck the floor with his
mace, and the ceremony was at an end.
The order of departure was the same
as observed in entering the hall-each
person again saluting the King and
Crown Princess. ss.Y
The personal appearance of the King
adds very much to the dignity of this
very formal ceremony. In stature he is
six feet two. inches, well proportioned,
and bears himself with an ease and
grace, which, while in some degree natu-
raj, has been supplemented by his long
military training. 1t was very notice
able that in all this brilliant gathering
of men who have passed their lives in
the atmosphere of the court. he was by
far the most gracious and kingly in his
presence Of them all / can make no
comparisons, but | involuntarily re-
called the magnificent manner of Ed
win Forrest as the only thing approach
ing the real scene being enacted under
my eyes. All in all it was spectacle
never to be forgotten. 1t was the
pomp and circumstance of royalty Civ
ing expression to its imposing charac-
ter on the one hand, and an exhibition
of loyal adherence to the affairs of the
country on the other. A generous, cour-
teous and intelligent people, they are
fortunate in having King thoroughly
in sympathy with their national aspira-
tions. Indianapolis Journal.