The age-herald., 1899-05-25
THE BIRTHDAY OF
 QUEEN VICTORIA Has UsheFed in By a Torrent of
 Pain. GENERALLY CElEBRAT TED
Entire Kingdom Pays Tribute to Her
 Royal Majesty.
M'KINLEY CABLES BEST WISHES
Queen Sends Graciously Worded Reply to Ambassador Choate's Telegraph ic Congratulations Grand Ban
 quet in Jasper Hall, Potsdam

1OnOOn, Nay S4.-IOrTentS or rdlu uSHeK- ed in Queen VIctoria's S0th birthday today.
 At Windsor. where a general holiday is being observed, the town was decorated with flags and the church bells were rung at Il o'clock in the morning.
 The weather cleared at about Il o'clock and a serenade by the Windsor-Eaton amateur societies was given in the grand Windsor castle. The sun then shone bril- liantly. The serenade was listened to by the Queen and members of the royal fam fly, including the children of the Duke and Duchess of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, the Duke and Duchess of Connaught, Prince and Princess Christian and Princess Hen- ry of Battenburg. Sir Walter Parratt, the master or the queens music and private organist to the queen, 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.
 Cadets Present
 The Eton college volunteer cadets march, ed into the castle grounds, headed by a band of music, and took up a position in the rear of the choir. Behind the cadets were drawn up the rest of the Eton boys and military knights of Windsor.
 The mayor and corporation of Windsor, in their full robes of office, and the bor- ough magistrates were also present.
 The scene was extremely picturesque. They all sang the national anthem, and then the choir gave. the programme, com prisng the late Bishop of Wakefields jubilee hymn, a four-part song, and two specially written madrigals to "The Queen."
 Finally the Eton boys gave three lusty cheers in honor of her majesty, and the Duke of Connaught came to of the windows and thanked those present in be- half of the queen, who herself, looking to be in excellent health, came forward and bowed repeatedly.
 Introduced to Victoria
 Sir Walter Parrat and the mayor Of Windsor were then introduced to the queen, and handed her d beautiful floral harp. fler majesty afterwards knighted the mayor, J. T. Soundry. Although the official pirth- day celebrations i'll London were postponed until June 3, all public buildings, business houses and great many private residences are decorated. In fact, more flags were flying than at any time since the queen jubilee.
 The congregation assembled in St. PauPs cathedral this morning, where thanksgiv- ing services were held and huge crowds of people were unable to obtain admission and grouped themselves in the spaces about the building.
 The lord mayor of London, Sir John Nocemore, the sheriffs, the aldermen, sword and mace bearers, and all the other functionaries, in their robes of state, at- tended. The archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Rev. Frederick Temple, b. D., oi1- ciated and preached the sermon, after which Te Deum was sung.
 The birthday celebrations occurred throughout the provinces, the ships in the different ports were dressed" tor the oc- casion, and tine warships we're covered with bunting.
 At Portsmouth there were reviews of the regular troops, volunteers and naval brig ades, and the same ceremonies occurred at the various arsenals and the garrison towns.
 Observed at Slmla A telegram from Simla, the summer capi- tai of British India, records that impressive queens birthday services there were at tended by the viceroy Of India, Lord Cur zon of KedIeston, and the Indian military officials in full dress. Royal salutes were fired. Lord and Lady Curzon will hold a state dinner and a leyee tonight. Dispatches from the continent report that printing of eulogistic articles on the queens reign in the European press. During the a1ISFnOOn the queen planted an oak sapling on the east lawn of Wind sor castle. She drove along Kennith drive to the spot and was assisted in the planting by the Duke of SaXe-Coburg and Gotha All the members of the royal family wit messed the ceremony Her majesty then continued her drive in the direction of Frogmore.
 The military Knights of Windsor present. ed an address to the queen at noon in the corridor of sthe castle and received the warm thanks of her majesty. Presented Bouquets
 A pretty incident was the presentation to the queen this morning by each of her grand and great-grandchildre now at the castle of tiny boquet of flowers. These descendants of her majesty, who was deep ly touched. also kissed her. Joseph Choate, the United States ambas- sadore, telegraphed his congratulations to the queen and her majesty sent gracious | ly worded reply.
 | The ambassador also attended the birth 1 day services held at the chapel royal, St. | James Palace.