The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-08-01
Her QUICK TRIP.
EerYia Breaks Record on
Her Last Voyage.
She Brought the Ancients and
HOn0rableS Home.
An Enthusiastic Reception Was
Given the Organization.

Boston, Aug. 1.-The steamer SER
In which the Ancient and Honorable
Artillery company made its trip to and
from Europe. made the run in six days
and IL hours, the quickest passage ever
made between this port and Liverpool.
1t was noticeable that the customs Off
Gals were not so rigid in their examina-
tions as is usually their habit with re-
turning tourists, and the ceremonies OF
the immigrant inspectors were. Of
course, only formal. But little of inter-
est occurred on the wharf beyond these
formalities. and at 10 o'clock the bugle
sounded the assembly, and the cry OF
Fall In" was heard. and the column
proceeded to the South ferry, and en-
barked. When the ferryboat reached
the ferry slip on the Boston side, q large
crowd Of people was ih waiting. Here
also was the military escort, which had
volunteered TO receive the home
and pilot them through the streets. This
escort was composed OF the members OF
the Ancient and Honorable Artillery
company who had been unable to ac-
comany their comrades across the sea,
and also included the Lancers, the
Charlestown City Guards, company II,
Fifth infantry, the Boston Fusileer vet
Grams, and the Boston Post 200, G.. A. r.
The line OF march was at once taken
up to the state house. Here they were
awaited by Lieutenant Governor VOL
colt. The Ancients and their escorts
were drawn up in line, and Colonel
Walker advanced TO the front and
saluted. Governor Wolcott spoke a few
word of formal welcome to the officers
and members of the corps. 1T was but
q short month ago" said the Lieutenant
governor. that / stood here and had the
honor of assuring you, as you departed
on your voyage. that all the good wishes
and the godspeed of the commonwealth
were yours, and that its hearty welcome
would be yours on your return. That
welcome II is now my pleasure to extend.
You have been welcomed by field mar
shals and princes, and If you are well
coined home only by plain lieutenant
governors and mayors. it surely is the
fault only of the commonwealth which
has created them. AS prophesied that
you would do, you have carried your
flags with dignity and honor. The COM
monwealth thanks you for your conduct
abroad. and feels that the honors which
have been shown 20 yor have not been
shown 70 you alone, but as well TO the
commonwealth and to the nation. You
have been the personal recipients, but
the state and the nation regard the well
come and the courtesies as having been
extended to IL and to them. The conn
monwealth extends 10 you and TO all in
your command most cordial welcome"
Colonel Walker replied to the greeting
OF the lieutenant governor in a few
L.
for this most cordial welcome in my
own tehalf, and in that of my command,
for 1 know that 1t is the welcome of the
whole people. When we took these
colors. from your hand, 1 made the
promise that we would so bear ourselves
abroad that we would merit the well
come, on our return: Well done, good
and faithful servants This promise we
have kept"
After the conclusion of the formalities,
Colonel Walker and the officers of the
returning corps, with the visiting off,
GERS Of the ship. were personally greeted
by the lieutenant governor, and assured
OF his cordial congratulations. The line
was then reformed, and the march was
resumed To- Faneuil hall.
Faneuil hall was decked out in gala
attire. to signalize the reception given
there by the city OF Boston TO the mem
bers of the Ancient and Honorable Ar
tillery company. On the main and side
platforms were tables. set with refresh
ments, but the floor of the hall was left
open. The reception was held at the
close of the street parade, and soon after
j. o'clock the company arrived.
AS soon as the company began entering
the hall the colors were carried forward
and placed in position in front of the
platform, where the long red. white and
blue streamers on the staff, bearing the
national ensign could be seen, inscribed
with the names OF the recent victories
of the Ancients-'L Liverpool London,
Finsbury, Windsor Castle, Aldershot,
Marlboro House" AS soon as the last
members had entered the hail. Captain
Jones of the home guard" of the COM
pany called the assemblage to order
Mayor Quincy then said: THE city of
Boston felt that the return Of the MEM
bers OF the Ancient and Honorable Ar
tillery company from Europe should be
signalized by public reception. This is
not the time for long speech making.
however You are doubtless all anx-
ious to return to your homes, after your
long absence. as soon as possible. will
therefore merely bid you a hearty well
come home" Then turning TO Colonel
Walker, the mayor expressed again his
pleasure at seeing him and his command
safely back.
In response, Colonel Walker expressed
the thanks Of himself and the company
Cor the hearty reception accorded them.
II Boston was proud of them. theyswere
proud OF Boston. He then spoke OF the
warmth and cordiality of the greeting
which was extended 20 them abroad, and
declared that he felt sure the welcome
was not from policy. but that all. from
the queen 10 her humblest subject, were
inspired by feelings Of the truest cordial
ity and friendship.
Mayor Quincy replied that he thought
he should express the appreciation, not
alone OF Boston, but OF the state and the
whole country, at the kindly spirit in
which the company was received abroad.
He desired 20 say that the good via
shown was. he believed, extended as
A