The record-union., 1897-06-24

Were Entertained at Luncheon at
the Palace.
LONDON, June 23.-This day was
one of the most fatiguing for the
Queen, the official programme de-
manding the reception of several dis
tinguished bodies of official person
ages, and the reception of addresses al
Slough, Eton and Windsor. The chief
event of the day and one of the most
interesting of the entire week was the
presentation to the Queen of a con-
gratulatory address by both houses OF
Parliament, which occurred at Buck
ingham Palace this morning.
Nearly half a century has passed
since the House of Commons visited
the sovereign in a body, the last oc-
casiOn being the presentation of an
address acknowledging the reception
of the Queens message announcing the
declaration of war against Russia and
not since the early forties, when ad-
dresses We're made congratulating the
Queen on the failure of attempts at as
sassination, has she received the two
houses together. There were brief
formalities at Westminster to-day, the
two houses meeting and the formal
announcement being made by Lord
Salisbury in the House of Lords and
Mr.. Balfour in the House of Commons
that the Queen would be pleased to
receive the two houses, they proceed
ed in stately procession to the palace.
OF the palace, and after a brief delay
the doors were thrown open and the
announcement made that her majes-
ty was prepared to give them audi
ence. Thereupon the Lord Chancel-
lOr and the Speaker of the House of
Commons advanced side by side to the
throne, each followed by the members
of his own House. Lord Chancellor
Salisbury knelt at the foot of the
throne and read the address there on
his knees.
After the parliamentary ceremony,
the Queen received in the same man
ner the Mayors and Provosts of prov
inces and Chairman of County Coun-
cils, who afterwards were entertained
at a luncheon in the palace. They
were attired in levee dress consist
ing of black knickerbockers and stock
ings, black velvet coats with steel but
tons, black plumed hats and swords.
Later her majesty inspected the Yeo-
men of the Guard.
The Queen was wheeled into the
ballroom by an Indian attendant. She
wore black beaded dress, a black and
white striped skirt and widows cap,
and ia1 70
Her majesty also wore the ribbon Of
the Order of the Garter The scene was
magnificent The uniforms. dress. or
ders and blazing jewels showed up fine
y in the sunlight, which found its way
through the windows. The Lord Cham
berlain, the Earl of Latham, first escort
ed the Lord Chancellor, Lord Salisbury.
who was gorgeOusly robed, the members
OF the House of Lords following him.
The Lord Chancellor then knelt before
the Queen and read the address of the
House of Lords, at the end of which the
Queen bowed, thanked their lordships
and the peers retired in a body. The
Lord Chamberlain Immediately left the
room, and, returning, ushered into her
majesty's presence the members of the
House of Commons. The latter ad-
vanced between the two lines of gem
tlemen, brilliantly uniformed. The
Commoners were headed by Speaker
Gully, who stood while he read to her
majesty the address from the House of
Commons At the conclusion of the
reading the Queen bowed and the Com
moners retired in a body.
Both addresses are officially described
as a humble expression of duty and
wishes for a long life for her majesty.
While waiting for the arrival of the
Mayors the Queen chatted with the
Prince of Wales and the Princesses.
over 400 Mayors and Provosts. Chair
men of County Councils and Sheriffs
filed past the Queen, who bowed and
smiled as each of the loyal officials
passed. The Sheriffs were all in gor-
geous scarlet, and the Mayors all wore
the full insignia of their office including
the strange robes and golden chains. etc.
The Mayors were headed by the Lord
Mayor of London. Sir George Faudel
Phillips. who also wore the full robes
and complete insignia of his office.
The Queen left the palace soon after
4:30 D. m. to-day. returning to Pad
dington Railroad station by the same
route as was followed on her arrival
and in semi-State.
Her majesty was greeted with the
same enthusiasm There was pretty
sight on Constitution Hill; near the
palace, where, in grand stands used to
view the procession yesterday, 1O,OOO
children from the boarding schools,
Church of England schools, Wesleyan
schools, Catholic schools and Jewish
schools were inspected by her majesty
Each child wore a special medal and
red badge. and the teachers wore blue
b6dges and white dresses. All the chill
dren were dressed in their Sunday best
and presented very pretty picture. On
the arrival of the Queen the children
Joined in singing the national anthem,
led by a band, with a heartiness and
freshness never surpassed. The Mar
Quis of Londonderry. as Chairman, pre-
scented her majesty an address in be-
half of the School Board. The Bishop
OF London and others did the same in
behalf of the other school bodies.
Among the members OF. the committee
present were Cardinal Vaughan and
Baron Rothschild. There was great
burst of cheering as the Queen left.
Perfect weather prevailed
The final episode of the progress was