Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-11-09
Mayor-Elect Presented to Represen-
tatives of the Crown.
PROCESSION MARCHED IN TEE RAIN
It Was, Nevertheless, a Gorgeous
and Attractive Spectacle.
COL. HAY ILL WITH A COLD

LONDON, November 9.-In spite of a
| thick driZzle and heavy fog, the ancient
custom Of presenting the elected chief
| magistrate of London to the representa-
tives Of the sovereign and to the people
was observed today with success. The
| usual throngs of people lined the route.
and the decorations were more ambitious
| than usual They consisted mainly of
triumphal arches, venetian masts, floral
festoons and IL liberal display of bunting.
But in spite of the weather, more STIR
ring proof of the popularity of London's
yearly pageant. known as the lord mayors
procession, has not been given in Il long
time-due very likely to the conspicuously
brilliant year of office of the retiring chief
| magistrate. the Right Honorable Sir Geo.
Faudell Philips, Bart. K. G., c. l. Z. Even
the radical critics who annually protest
against the existence of the corporation of
London within the area dominated by the
county council had nothing but praise to-
day for the altogether admiral official ca
reer OF Lord Mayor Phillips, which has Civ
en- the quietus for years to come TO any
serious attempt at abolishing the corpora
ton.
Marched Through Dense Masses
1t was not surprising therefore that the
procession passed through dense masses of
cheer1ngpe ople, while windows, balconies
ana roofs were very generally utilized and
the larger open place, such as Trafalgar
Square, were crowded to their capacity
The show" although attractive as n
mere spectacle. looked even more tawdry
man usual In the fog. rain and mud today,
stances did not make it any the less attrac-
tive as a historical relic a survival of the
days when the corporation OF the city of
London played its part, and that no light
Inc, in the contest for constitutional free
dom and material we'll being
IN It's origin the mayors procession was
intended as an assertion of the Importance
OF trade and commerce long previously
ground down by kings and MOBILES The
city companies came into existence formed
powerful municipality, and, making Guild
Hall their headquarters, took care as a
warning to all whom it might concern, to
have the mayor installed with the utmos;
pomp In the course of time the ceremony
lost this particular significance. But there
was no sign today that it has relaxed its
hold on the affections of the community, to
Judge from the many thousands who
braved the fog and drizzle in order to see
the show"
british Sports Represented.
The procession included a car represent
ing British Sports" with huntsman BIZ
cycifst, etc., including an Indian represent
ing Prince Ranjitsinghi illustrating cricket
Another car depicted the Founders of
Greater Britain including Sir Walter
Raleigh. Admiral Penn, Warren Hastings,
Lord Give ard Cecil Rhodes.
Ar OLD stage coach of the year 1897 was
followed by modern motor car, presenting
striking contrast of the modes Of loco
motion in the past and present times.
Then there were the usual contingents of
soldiers, Sailors firemen, artillery and the
city companies, the whole thickly inter-
spersed with bands of music.
When the procession reached the law
courts the lord mayor in his full civic
robes, preceded by the recorder Sir Forest
Fulton, and attended by the retiring lord
mayor, the sheriffs, the mace bearer, sword
bearer. chaplain aldermen in their sable
trimmed gowns, together with other civic
functionaries, proceeded to the court room
of the lord chief justice where they were
received by the judges attired in scarlet
robes, full-bottomed wigs and cooked hats.
There the usual solemn courtes.es were
exchanged, the lord mayor in exercise of
an immemorial right remaining covered
while the recorder read eulogistic re-
view of the new lord mayors career. 1t
was in the annual Sunday school style. re-
ferring to his blameleSS youth, successful
commercial career and well spent life
crowned by the attainment of the highest
civic honors.
Ceremony mt the Courts.
From this court. after the retiring lord
mayor had been formally presented to the
judges by Sir Forest Fulton, the procession
went to the court of appeal and was re-
ceived by the master Of the rolls and the
appeal justices attired in their striking
robes of black and gold. The ceremonies
here were merely formal.
The dignitaries then returned to their
coaches ard resumed the march to the
city.
Colonel John Hay. the United States am
baSsador, who was to have responded to
the to asst Of The foreign ambassadors at
the Guildhall banquet tonight, is confined
to his house by cold and, in consequence,
the Japanese minister will take his place.