The islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1891-1899, 1897-07-01
DIAMOND JUBILEE DAY.
England's Greatest Anniversary Fit
tin0ly Observed by Loyal Britons.

IL had not died away in the midnight
air when from hundred metropolitan
steeples tumultuous peal of bells an
nounced the diamond jubilee day. The
vast crowds that filled the miles of
streets and squares answered with ring
ing cheers and here and there with the
singing of "God Save the Queen
The crowds that peopled the streets
and squares all night in the hope of a
good view of the procession today were
amazing in their sublime patience.
Waiting for IL, IA and 16 hours, as
many of these people are doing, damned
together, is a feat of endurance that
could only be sustained by some over
mastering desire. Quite half of these
jubilee walters were women, many of
them the pale. careworn women of
London, yet all enduring the back.
breaking tediousness with the utmost
good nature. Some had camp-stools,
some sat on projections of buildings. on
| curb-stOnes, or leaned in doorways
and the angles made by stands. Re-
freshments were in order everywhere,
and the police had little trouble, CHEEKY
good humor being the note of the night.
During the long hours snatches of song
and occasional bursts Of cheering
showed that the people were deter
mined to enjoy the festival Of patriotism
and loyalty to the utmost. A clear,
starlight sky and cool air kept the
spirits of the crowd at the topmost
point throughout the vigil. With the
dawn the hopes Of queens weather
merged into certainty, and the world
prepared itself in fullest confidence for
day Of pleasure.
The procession was headed by an ad-
vance party of royal horseguards. Then
followed a band of the same corps
playing the inspiring Washington
Post March," and close upon the band
came a portion of the picturesque
Northwest mounted police as escort to
the first colonial premier, Hon. Wilfred
Laurier. The Northwest policemen
made a striking appearance. The Vic
torian mounted troops followed, sue
ceeded by the New Zealand mounted
contingent, a fine-looking, sun-burned
lot of men, drawn from almost every
town in the colony. Then came New
Zealand's premier, Hon. Richard ].
Siddon.
For the moment Australia gave way.
Africa was allowed chance, and the
Cape of Good Hope mounted rifles
wearing scarlet, with white helmets,
rode by to herald the coming of the
cape premier, Hon. Sir J. Sprigg.
The premiers being disposed of, then
succeeded most attractive display of
mounted troops of the crown colonies,
and the Rhodesian horse colonial in
fantry, broken by three bands, typical
| of the United Kingdom. Then there
passed a splendid contingent from
Canada's infantry, 175 strong, with
Colonel Aylmer leading. Then fol-
lowed all the lord lieutenants of Lon
don, his grace, the Duke of Westmins-
ter in a lord lieutenant's dress. The
duke was followed by glittering cav
alcade of officers.
Next came the officers of the auxili-
airy forces in attendance on II. R. H.,
the Prince of Wales. equerries, gentle
men in waiting and military attaches.
Then, as a compliment from the kaiser,
deputation from the Fuerst Prussian
dragon guards.
After the Germans came the most
brilliant group of all. Soldiery, Off
GERS of the imperial service, troops
from India, in their uniforms, brilliant
to a degree. Many wore massive gold
earrings with enormous stones.
The crowd now began to show more
eager interest in the passing vehicles,
as they were nearer and nearer to the
queen. The first part of the sovereign's
escort now rode into view, the Second
Life Guards, As their well-known
brilliant uniforms appeared, whisper
ran electrically, "She's coming" The
guards were soon succeeded by an es-
cort of British and foreign princes.
Many faces were known, recognized
and cheered. This brilliant escort was
composed Of the flower Of Europe's
thrones.
Following the princes came the
guard of honor, % officers of the native
Indian cavalry corps, men of fine ply
sique, picturesque uniform and strange
faiths. Then they could see the queens
horses. It was the queen at last.
A cheer broke forth which seemed to
shake the earth, and which was re-
newed again and again as her majes-
tvs carriage approached. The famous
eight Hanoverian creams, with long
names richly woven with ribbons of
royal blue. were passing. Gorgeous
they looked in the new harness. The
liveries of the positions were in keep
ing with the horses.
The carriage in which her majesty
rode now came abreast. Beside her
majesty rode the Prince of Wales, and
opposite her majesty H. r. II. Prin-
cess Christian. On the left of her
majesty rode III. r. III. the Duke OF
Cambridge, on the right the Princess
of Wales, who was followed by the
Duke of Connaught, the general COM
manding.
The route of the procession covered
6A miles, which was profusely dec
grated with banners, flags, flowers, mot
toes, portraits of the queen, the impe-
rial monogram, etc. Eight thousand
policemen guarded the line OF march.
The bones of very aged persons have
q greater proportion of lime than those
of young persons.