The evening times., 1895-11-28
SUNNY lTALY'S PARLIAMENT
Like The American Congress Il Meets in
December, Eut Euth More Formally.
Royalty Starts I'm Solemn Procession
When the Be!is of Monte
oitorio Toll

The opening ofthc Italia n pa riiament usu-
ber or the first OF December. soon after the
return of the king and qgeen-tbe queen from
her mountain climbing and the king from his
houtiIg tours. The opening is always at
tended with much ponp and ceremony.
Tickets for admission are limited. as each
senator and deputy has only one to give
away. The doors are not opeHed until o
O'Clock. but by 8 there is a great crowd
waiting. and when the doors open there is a
rush for the best seats as from the ba K
seats little II anything can he SEEN
The Italian chamber Of deputies resem-
bles Congress han at Washington. The
seats for the deputies are in a semi circle.
with n raised platform for the president I'd
members. and a long u BILE for the ministers $
Just below. Galleries for the public and
the press run all the way around. but re
very high. and 1t is difficult to hear in theI:i.
A place in these galleries is reserved for Ia
dies on this occasion. but on no other.
The senator's and deputies appear in even
ing dress and white gloves The two cor
ncrs OF the hall itself are occupied by the
higher functionaries of the state and the
ministers in full state uniform. The throne
is approached by II few steps covered by
dark red cloth. and over ii is a canopy of
red velvet surmounted by a royal crown.
On either side of the crown the gallery
projects. forming two loggias or boxes.
That at the kings right is occupied 10y the
queen and her ladies; that L the lefI by the
diplomatic body.
The ambassadors and their attaches are
ali III full uniform. while the Indies appear
in the most elegant costumes. The power of
assigning the different places belongs to
tia.,f .ti RI t.f tnn aff
At 1875 the bells of Montecitorio ring
out. when the queen leaves the royal Pc lace.
preceded by detachment of corazZiefi or
bodyguards and outriders. The Marcioness
Villanarini and one of the gentlemen OF The
court occupy places in the carriage with the
queen. AT 1915 they arrive al the House
OF Parliament and the queen enters her box
amid much enthusiasm. Those present all
rise to their feet and respectfully greet
Queen Margarita, who bows and smiles re-
peatedy.
There is then about ten minutes of silence
which is broken by the first lO1 volleys
from the canon OF the castle OF SAINT Angelo.
These volleys signify that the king has left
the royal house and is proceeding toward
the parliament house. Full state is always
observed on these occasions, although there
be mourning In the royal family. The pro-
cession of the king is composed Of six car
riages.
The first contains the generals who are
on duty to the king; the second contains the
king. with the Prirc &C of Naples. or his The
king 81 nephews. This carriage is draw by
six horses decked with ostrich plunies, and
there is an outrider on one of the first pa iruf
horsrs. This is followed by a troop OF the
kings bodyguard in fuil uniform Thsn
come the remaining carriages containing
the kings aides-tle-canlp and other official
persons.
The Italians are fond of making n dis
play and SO the way is always decorated
and draptd with flags and banners. At
$50 O'Clock all traffic is stopped on the
streets through which the procession is to
pass, and those who are invited TO the
must reach The Parliament house
by special route, indicated by the po-
lice on presentation OF the ticket of adj
mission. In the square in front of the
palace the troops are drawn up in u
compact square. leaving the space facing
the building open, SO that a magnificent
view is obtained. Over the chief entrance
q canopy is hung and when the procession
stops the bells of MontccitoriO add their
notes 10 the booming OF the can
non Of SAINT Angelo, as a signal OF the
kings arrival.
al tuc ioOt VI thc Sttps the VI
the senate and members OF the preceding
legislature await the king. All the pas
81 ges of the inside of the building are lined
with soldiers, the last corridor, Just be-
fore entering the Eall, being filled with the
kings hody guard. Two OF these stand
On either side OF the throne and maintain
such immobility as to MAKE them appear
ike statues. There are two doors entering
he hail; the king always enters by the
light and leaves by the left, When he
.Dters every one rises and grects him. He
stands for a moment perfectly stin in the
,enter OF the room in ackno wledgment OF
he greeting. He ti:cn turns to the right
md bows to the queen, who rises and re-
'ponds to the salutation, after which, amid
fies of viva il Re-" Inc mounts the throne.
After the king seats himself the prcsi
lent OF the council approaches to receive
lis orders, after which he says in locd
roice: .'The king requests the senator's
md deputies TO take their places" The
resident OF the cuuncil then administers