The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-05-25
YICTORIA'S
BIRTHDAY.
Unusual Honors Paid to the Ruler
of Britain who has Rounded
out Eighty Years.
THE AMERICANS IN LONDON
Toast the Queen 80 President
McKinley's Cordial Telegram
of Congratulation.

or IOnEratulatlOn.
LONDON, May 24.--Torrents of rain
ushered In Queen yictorla's elghtieth
birthday to-day. At Windsor, where
n general holiday Is being observed, the
town was decorated with flags. and the
church bells were rung at o'clock in
the morning.
The weather cleared about II o'clock,
and serenade by the Windsor and
Eton amateur choral societies was
given in the great quadrangle Of Wind
sor Castle. The sun then shone bril-
liantly. The serenade was listened to
by the queen and the members Of the
royal family, including the children of
the Duke and Duchess of Sake Coburg
and Gotha, the Duke and Duchess Of
Connaught. Prince and Princess Chris
tian and Princess Henry Of Batten-
burg.
Sir Walter Parrltt. the minister Of
the queens music. and private organist
to the queen. and wearing his official
robes, conducted the serenade from the
steps of the queens private entrance
to the palace, just below the oak room,
where the queen was breakfasting.
The Eton College volunteer cadets
marched Into the castle grounds. head
ed by band Of music. and took up Il
position In the rear of the choir. Be-
hind the cadets were drawn up the rest
OF the Eton boys and the military
knights of Windsor The mayor and
corporation of Windsor, in their full
robes OF office. and the borough magls-
trates were also present.
The scene was extremely picturesque.
They all sang the natlona! anthem, and
the choir gave the programme, COM
prlsing the late Bishop Of Wakefeld's
jubilee hymn. four-part song, and
two specially written madrignls ITO the
Queen" Finally the Eton boys gave
three lusty cheers In honor OF Her Maj
esty. and the Duke OF Connnught came
! " OIIc VI lllt "lHooNS, anu lIltllhtu
those presen: in behalf of the queen.
who herself. looking to be In excellent
health, came forward and bowed re-
peatedly.
Sir Walter Parratt and the mayor of
Windsor were then introduced to the
queen. and handed her beautiful floral
harp. Her Majesty afterwards knight
ed the mayor. J. T. Soundry.
Buildings Richly Decorated.
Although the official birthday celebra-
t!ons in London were postponed until
June 3. oil public buildings. many bus!-
ness houses and great many private
residences were decorated. In fact,
more flags were flying than at any time
during the queens jubilee.
Many birthday celebrations occurred
throughout the province. the ships In
the different ports were dressed" for
the occasion, and the warshIps We're
covered with bunting.
Dispatches from the continent report
the printing Of euloglstc articles on
fthe queens reign In the European
press.
During the afternoon the queen plant
ed an oak sapllng on the east lawn of
Windsor Castle. She drove along Ken
meth drive to the spot. and was assisted
| In the planting by the Duke of Sake
| Coburg and Gotha. All the members
Of the royal family witnessed the cerc-
mony.
Her majesty then continued her drive
In the direction Of Frogmorc.
The military knights OF Windsor pre-
sented an address to the queen. In the
corridor OF the castle. and received the
warm thanks OF Her Majesty.
a pretty incident was the prcsenta-
| tion to the queen thG morning by each
OF her grand and Sreat-grand children
now at the castle OF n bouquet OF flow
| ers. These descenda -ts of Her Majesty,
who was deeply touched, also kissed
| her.
Joseph II. Choate. the United States
ambassador, telegraphcd his congratu-
lations to the queen. and Her Majesty
| sent graclouslY worded reply. The
| ambassador also attended the birthday
service held at the chapel royal, St.
James palace.
a birthday banquet.
The birthday banquet given ut the
Hotel Cecil tonight was attended by
many members Of the American society
In London. Lord Roesbery. who pre-
sided. referred to the American guests
present rs representing n great COM
monwcalth OF statcE. once part OF the
British empire. but now nearer than
any country, except the colonies"
Col. Taylor. OF the society, In re-
spending. paid n tribute to the queen.
His speech brought out n further re-
| sponse from Lord Itoscbcry aftcr which
the orchestra played "Han Columbia"
amid lively demonstration
Banquets and receptions were given
| by the British ambassadors and minis
ters Mt nll the leading capitals in Europe
In honor OF the day. Her Majesty re-
| cefved telegram or CONGRATULATIONS
from Pope Leo XIII.
,--------------