San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1892-05-12
THE GUNPOWD Err PLOT.
Gave Rise to an Odd Ceremony in
the House OF Commons.


the House OF Commons.
London letter in New Orleans Times
Democrat.
This was on Tuesday, the day on
which Parliament was to ASSEM- BILE.
But 1T was much earlier in the day
than the hour set for that even c.
There was another function, however,
OF even more curious interest, which
L much desired to see. Perhaps 1
should say thatI desired to see if
there was such thing, for was In
credulous that for 800 years the
search for Guy Fawkes had been
kept up. But ircredulity was rebuk-
ed.
Properly, the Lord High Chamber.
lain should have conducted :, the
searching party. But other business
kept him away, and SO his secretary,
Col. Darlington, came in his stead.
With him came q party of the Yeo.
men of the Guard, in their quaint old
uniforms, and party, also, of the
Marshalmen, and equally old and
picturesque, but less known body of
troops. Two abreast they marched
down into the vaults beneath the
palace, each man armed with sword
and pistol though their halberds were
left behind. Left behind, too, were
the lanterns they used to bear The
gas jets in every vault and passage
make them no longer necessary. But
with the exception of the lanterns the
search proceeded exactly as it has
done before the opening of every Par
liamentsince 1905. They marched in
weird procession through every corri-
dor and chamber in all the dim un-
derworld of the palace, peering into
every corner, opening every door,
and making sure that nowhere is
there Guy Fawkes, with his pow.
der barrels, waiting to blow Queen
and Commons sky-high. The search
completed, they marched gravely
hack to the upper air, and Col. Car
rington telegraphed oh Q gods of fit
ness!-to her majesty that all was
well, and that she might in safety
visit the palace. He used the quaint
old words and phrases of the seven
teenth century. But instead of writ
ing them on parchment and sealing
and sending them by page or other
messenger, he telegraphed them! 1t
seemed like Shakespeare using a
typewriter. Nevertheless, the
ancient function was duly accom-
plished, and soon after the House of
Parliament met. After sill that bother
the Qneen did not come, but, as she
has done these many years, sent q
commission of gentlemen, high dig.
nitsries, to represent her. Usually,
they say, 1t is brilliant spectacle.
But yesterday 1t was somber, dismal
oppressive. The five commissioner,
who appeared i'm the House of Lords
were respondent in robes of scarlets
aud white, aud there were six or
seven bishops of the Church OF EGG
land with tnerir enormous sleeves
of white lawn. But every one else
was in black, funeral black. This
was, of course, on account of the
recent death of the Duke of Clar-
eDce.
But the less formal proceedings In
the House of Commons were really of
most in terest. AS early as IL o'clock
members began to straggle in, and at
2 o'clock, when the speaker entered,
the great chamber was crowded
There is no denying that it was an
impressive scene; much more impress.
slve, simply as q pageant, than the
assent bling of the American congress
The great, stately, gloomy gothic hall
gives one feeling akin to awe. IL is
very different from the bright, mod
ern looking halls at Washington.
Then there are no desks or chairs, but
simply great oaken pews, like those
in q church, but running lengthwise
of the chamber. will not say, how.
ever, that the occupants are any more
distinguished look ing than the Wash
ington House of Representatives. The
custom of sitting with hats on or off,
as suits their fancy, gives them an
unsettled and half rowdyish appear
anpe