The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-06-26
Possibility that the Pagaent VIII BE
MARRIED by Rain, which Began
Falling This Morning.
DIAMOND JUBILEE FETES
BANQUETS, LUNCHEONS, BALLS, RE
VIEWS AND LAMENTATIONS.
Receptions to Princes, Embassadors
and Special EnvOys--SchOol Chill
dren at Windsor.

LONDON, June 26.-Everything is in
readiness for to-day's great naval spectacle,
but the prospects at this hour $3.50 a. M }
are the review at Spithead will be narred
by a drizzling rain, which is now falling.
Portsmouth, South Sea and their environs
have Londons jubilee fever. Decorations
are universal, profuse and distinctly naval,
notably at the gateway of the gunwharf,
where brass cannon are mounted in two
turrets and in charge of pikemen in full
armor. Matchlocks protrude from the port
holes On the outside buttresses are figures
of pikemen, while over the gateway is a
knight in the full armor of the Queen Anne
period. In addition to these are jubile9 de-
vices formed Of Brown Bess pistols, sword
blades, matchlocks, cuirasses and dirks.
Armed knights in the panoply OF the six
teenth and seventeenth centuries guard the
gateway. The town hall is richly decorated,
among the decorations being a group of
American flags, with the name of Brook
lyn" in the center. All the war ships are
ready for the review.
The festivities began yesterday afternoon
with garden party given by Sir Newell
Salmon, who will be in supreme command
of the review to-day on the beautiful lawns
OF the admiralty house. Last night ban
quet was given at the town hall, at which
Rt. Hon. George j. Goschen, first lord of
the admiralty, presided, and the officers of
the Brooklyn were present. The latter
were present also at the garden party A
number of private entertainments are to be
given to which the officers OF the Brooklyn
are invited.
On Monday next all the foreign officers
will visit the dockyard and be entertained
at lunch by the admiralty, with a garden
party to follow on Whale island. Tuesday
will be devoted to sports, with a dinner at
the town hall for the seamen, and on
Wednesday evening a ball will be given at
the same place for the officers.
The banquet at the town hall in Ports
mouth last evening was a scene of unpre-
cedented brilliancy. 1t was preceded by
reception, naval guard of honor lining
the main approaches and presenting arms
the guests arrived. All the latter wore
uniforms and decorations. Covers We're
laid for 250 Prince Henry of Prussia sat
next to TT. Hon. George j. Goschen, who
presided. The hall was splendidly deco
rated, the main feature of the decorations
being bust of the Queen surrounded by a
huge wreath made to represent the rose,
the thistle and the shamrock, and formed a
Sldearms. II was surmounted by a royal
crown studded with incandescent lamps TO
represent jewels Around the hall were
shields bearing the names of the foreign
war ships thai will be present at to-day S
review. Mr.. Goschen proposed the usual
loyal toast to the Queen, which was re-
celved with great enthusiasm, and then the
health OF the foreign naval visitors. In the
course of brief speech he gave them
hearty welcome and dWelt on the conlrade-
ship Of naval men the world over, arising
out of the many things they have in COM
mon; common dangers, common hardShipS,
common experiences, common courage and
common endurance. They had, he said, an
advantage over their military brethren in
a more frequent intercourse, which en-
abled them to learn the value of each
others qualities and friendship. Admiral
Won Spawn, of the Austrian navy, pro-
posed the toast to the British navy and
Mr.. GoSchen responded.
Laird Cloves, the naval expert, in an ar
ticle in the London Daily Mail on the Spit
head review, highly praises the American
use of electricity for various purposes on
men-of-war, and declares that in this mat
ter England is years behind the United
States. He predicts, however, that the
decks of the Brooklyn will not stand the
wear and tear of half the ordinary term of
commission, because the process of fire.
PROBING has made the wood soft and
Spongy.