The Forrest City times., 1898-09-09
IN IMPOSING SPECTACLE.
The Enthronement of Queen Viii.
helmina Of the Netherlands
at Amsterdam.
IMPOSING CEREMONIES AT The NEUgINK
Loyalty and Lovingly Greeted by tn.
Enthusiastic Populace Going to ana
From the Church-The Queens Speech
TO the States General.

Amsterdam, Sept. THE events of
Monday were but the overture for far
more important ceremonies upon the
occasion of the long-awaited enthron,
ing of Queen Wilhelmina, who came of
age on August 81. The day began
with salute of 101 guns and a ma.
jestic chorale, performed by trumpet
ers from the crenelated towers o ftbe
five great churches of Amsterdam.
The Crowds Assembled.
Crowds of people assembled early in
the morning, and took up positions
from which to view the royal process
sion to the Neul1irk, an edifice that.
in spite of its name, is 400 years old.
BY ten o'clock the Damplatch resent.
ed magnificent spectacle. The CEN
ter was cleared, and the sides were
densely thronged, the front places be.
ing reserved for the children of the
orphanages. The multitudes were
kept back by lines of troops of all
arms.
Princely Participants.
At 1880 the princely families of
GdAC~ NNiiial anu Nitu uTONe 10 the
church, escorted by cavalry,with bands
playing, drums beating,and the troops
presenting arms.
Almost Immediately afterwards the
queen mother appeared in a state
coach, which was surmounted by a
gilt royal crown upon crimson cush-
ion. She received an ovation and was
greeted with endless cheering and
cries of ''long live the queen MOTHER
The Queen Left the Palace.
About ten minutes later the beating
of drums and the blare of trumpets
signalled the fact that Queen Wilhel-
nina had left the palace, and at that
very moment the sun burst from the
clouds in briliancy which was looked
upon as being happy augury for the
young sovereign.
The procession was headed by the
king-of-arms, with the heralds in
their gorgeous antique costumes and
bearing long trumpets adorned with
pendant flags.
Her majesty carried herself with
grace and fortitude, but her blanched
cheeks were evidence of the profound
emotion inspired by the greatness of
the occasion.
Roars of Loyal Cheers.
1t is impossible to adequately de-
scribe the acclamations which greeted
the queen. The roars of loyal cheers
grew louder and more sustained as
her majesty proceeded to the church,
which, in the meanwhile, had been
filed with brilliantly-robed ladies and
uniformed civil and military authori-
ties, naval officers and members of
the diplomatic corps. The interior of
the church disclosed a magnificent
wealth OF drapery, banners, palms and
flowers. In front of the chancel was
the throne. of gorgeous crimson and
velvet. with the crown. orb, scepter,
and sword occupying stools.
Arrival of the Queen Mother.
AS the procession of the queen moth
er entered the church, the assembly
arose and remained standing. The
queen mother wore low-necked dress
of light mauve color, trimmed with
lace and covered with pearls. On her
head was splendid tiara, and on her
breast We're displayed the insignia OF
the Dutch orders. The maids of hon
or and the ladies IN waiting were
dressed in beautiful costumes.
The Queen Arrives.
Suddenly the king-of-arms, from the
portal OF the church, heralded the ar
rival of Queen Wilhelmina, who en-
tered the building escorted by train
OF generals, each bearing an emblaz-
oned banner
The choir, which included the great
est artists of Holland, sang "Wilhelmus
Van Nassauwe."
The queen, looking very well in her
robes of state, bowed from side to
side as she passed on to the throne
and reaching it, she turned and again
bowed and took her seat. A moment
later her majesty arose, and in clear
and perfectly calm Joice, spoke as
follows:
1he Queens Speech to the States General.
Gentlemen of the States General:
Since the death of my ever-lamented
father, and until i have completed my
eighteenth year, the government has
been IN the hands of my mother. l
nave now assumed the government,
and | have issued proclamation to
my well-beloved people.
The hour has now arrived when,
amid the faithful states general and
invoking the holy name of God, shall
pledge myself to the people of the
Netherlands, to maintain their rights
and privileges. On this date l draw
more closely the solemn tie existing
between myself and my people. The
very ancient union Of the Netherlands
and of the house OF Orange is con-
hrmed afresh. Beautiful is vocation.
Beautiful is my task. | unhappy and
grateful to be able to govern the Meth
eriands people, q nation small in num-
bers but great in virtue of its strength
OF character. / esteem it a privilege
and pleasing duty to devote all my
strength to the prosperity and well
fare of our fatherland. The house of
a