New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-09
A KNIGHT OF ST. PATRICK
THE INSTALLATION OF THE EARL OF
LIJCAN

knight OF ST. Patrick on March :, IN place of
the late Earl of Caledon. Although Lord Lucan
cannot boast an ancient title-the barony dating
only from 111G and the eardom from 1195-he
comes OF a distinguished family. whose historic
record begins in the reign of Elizabeth. HIS
chief title to distinction however, is vested IN
the fact that he is the son OF his father, Field
Marshal the Earl Of Lucan, Of Crimean fame, 10
whom he served ade-de-camp in the same
campaign, winning there the decorations Of the
Legion OF Honor and the Medjidie.
The English Garter, the Scotch Thistle and
the Irish st. Patrick, says Tho Sketch" in .ts
account of the ceremony, are the three most
distinguished orders of knighthood in the United
Kingdom That of St Patrick was the latest in
stituted its date Of inception being the year
1888. Like the order of the Thistle il has al
ways been reserved for noblemen, natives Of the
country made worthy OF such distinction Ivy
knighty actions, great deeds or high moral quail
ties. 1t has also enrolled such members Of the
royal family as it has sought to honor. Previ-
Gus to the Act of Discstablishment the installa-
tons were held in st. Patrick's Cathedral where
above the several stalls are still suspended The
helmets and banners OF those who held the or
der at that period. But the Church has been
divorced by the State, and the ceremony to-day
is purely lay, and s performed in the castle, IN
St Patrick's Hall 1t is noble chamber, deco
rated in white and gold. against which the GRIM
son chair Of State stands out in bold relief,
overshadowed by the six royal standards. From
the walls are suspended fourteen banners Of the
knights created since the seculariZatIoD OF the
order
A blare OF trumpets announced the opening or
the medieval drama, the Countess CadoGan
and train Of women in black and white, came
in and took their seats at each side Of the chap
ter table. which was prosaically covered in blue
cloth and served with blotting pads. Then The
national anthem heralded the procession Of His
Excellency, who was respondent in the bleu-de-
ciel robes ana jeweed insignia Of the grand
master Of the order, his flowing mantle held up
by two small pages similarly caparisoned The
vicerega staff in attendance. in gttering
uniforms and Sir Arthur Wears Ulster king at
arms. who was imposing and denhed figure
in a massive gold-and-crimson ia bard and quaint
EliZabethan ruff At the command Ulster,
summon the knights" ne disappeared, almost
instantly reappearng, like quck-chaDge
artist in a circling crimson cloak, heading the
knights companions, thirteen in number, who,
walking i'm order OF seniority, took their seats on
the left of the chapter table, where was one
vacant seat TO be filled by the hero Of the
function. The knights were habted in their
blue nantes and insignia, and, with tho staff OF
His Exceency, they made a magnificent tab
leau. The roll was then called, Her MaJestys
warrant read. and preceded bythe official rod OF
the gentleman usher Lord Charlemont, time
old official Of the viceroyalty. the Earl Of Lucan
was presented to the grand master, who. taking
a sword from an aide camp, dubbed the gal
liant soldier knight" He Immediately retired,
to return in "A few minutes, summoned by
fanfare and accompanied by the strains OF See
the Conquerng Hero Comes" The PROCESSION
on this occasion was interesting and striking.
The junior knights Lords Arran and Roberts,
conducted the Earl between them to ihe char
Of state His heraldic properties were severa1y
borne by the different officers OF the order
Athlone PURSUANT OF arms, led IN the paS-
cant and the banner was held by the Marquis
Of Hamilton He himself wore the uniform of
lieutenant colonel Of the lst Life Guards, ms
medals gistening on his scarlet tunlc A''er
signing the statutory declaration, read by Inc
chancellor ~ was robed by the senior knights
Lords Listowel and kenmare, to the accohpahi-
ment Of the prescribed admonitions.
When finally girded with sword and envelored
in the mantle a fanfare greeted the unfurling OF
the new knights banner, and Ulster ID ii feSo-
nant and clear voice declared his titles. as al
ready recited, with the addition OF his ne" IN
vestiture Ulster then concluded the ceremony
by rehoarsing the dignites Of the knights pres
ent. each knight rising to his name, and remain
ing standing while the list Of his dignities was
read-a trying ordeal. The most ustrious tale
was that of the heroic Lord Roberts, who,
though short of stature, was second to non" IN
gallant bearing and dignity of mien AS me
Victoria Cross ended the recital and the brave
edition houod himself hack his stall. a cheer