The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-15
OPENING OF PARLIAMENT
Medieval Splendor Marks the
Kings First Public Function.
The Address From the Throne De-
Iiyered by the Monarch Himself
EngIand's Policy in South Africa
to he One of Vigorous Warfare
Sovereign and His Queen Cheered.

LONDON. Feb 14-There is always a
large crowd of Londoners able. willing
and eager to witness a gratuitous show and
great throngs were to be observed in the
early hours this morning on their way to
Westminster 10 see the King open Par
lament in person. The morning was glo-
riously fine, but intensely cold. Just the
kind of weather that would be likely to
chill the ardor of the waiting multitudes
Carpenters we're still at work putting the
finishing touches on stands. while balco-
MES were being covered with crimson
cloth The precincts in the vicinity of
Buckingham Palace were thronged early
with loyal EEglishmen and women who
were anxious TO feast their eyes on spec
tacle unprecedented for novelty and splen-
dor.
The people OF London in past years have
witnessed nothing of the kind the annual
Lord Mayors show. with its gingerbread
splendor. which reminds one of a circus
procession. being the nearest approach to
today's function that has been seen by
almost the Oldest inhabitant.
new precedent in regard to the Kings
speech was set up today Heretofore ad-
vance copies OF the royal address have
been given to the press. 'TseIis was not
done today, and the speech was not given
out until after II had been delivered
The mult:tudes who had been waiting
so long saw the first display of royal
hatu 10 n n
the afternoon when. at short intervals,
six carriages went past portions of the
route leading to the House of Lords,
where they were to be in readiness to re-
ceiFe the King and Queen, the Duke and
Duchess of Cornwall. the Duke and Ouch
ess of Connaught, the Prince and Princess
Christian. Princess Henry of Battenberg,
Princesses Louise and Frederika of Han
over, the Duke of Cambridge, and the re-
spectiye suites.
These drove in closed carriages known
as town coaches and each was drawn by a
pair Of horses. The coachmen and footmen
were clad in voluminous scarlet cloaks with
great scarlet capes and wore cooked hats
The only signs of mourning were the black
gloves worn by the coachmen and footnen
and large black rosettes below the horses
ears
As each carriage bearing royal person.
ages passed the soldiers who lined the
route presented arms. but the crowds,
whether they were unaware who were in
the carriages or were reserying ell the de-
monstration for the King and Queen. did
not raise a cheer. Even the Duke and
Duchess of Cornwall and York passed in
silence.
The Lord Mayor, in a gorgeous coach
and a company of thirty Beefeaters,
dressed in red and black medieval garb,
with their breasts covered with war med
ais. were practically the only ones in
versally recognized
But it was not for this that the thou
sands lining the mile between the Palace
and Parliament had been waiting for
hours in the frosty sunshine.
AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE
Outside of Buckingham Palace there was
an imposing scene. dense mass of peo-
pie stretched in front and to the right and
left. On either side of the entrance the
First Life Guards, in their brilliant red
cloaks and with their white plurned he'll
NETS glittering in the sun, were drawn up.
Within the lines was the detachment of
giant grenadiers mentioned as attracting
so much attention in the Queens funeral
procession while next to the gates were
the Second Life Guards. in glittering
breastplates. with drawn swords.
About l O'Clock the lines of police and
soldiers near Buckingham Palace were
pierced by a file OF men wearing wide
brimmed khaki hats dark overcoats. and
puttees. These we're the members of
Strathcona's Horse. who have just ar
rived from South Africa. and they now
fell into line with the regulars. who were
guarding the route of the procession. An
other special honor 10 the Canadians was
the placing of an officer of the Montreal
Artillery in position at the entrance gate
of Buckingham Palace.
Shortly after 1:3e O'Clock the Guards
Band within the courtyard struck up
God Save the King" and by $40 o'clock
the whole procession was in motion.
First came a scarlet-coated, mounted
groom and two Horse Guards. followed
at a short interval by a company of the
Guards.
Then came the first royal carriage
drawn by six bay horses ridden by pos-
tillions. with the walking men all richly
clad in the royal scarlet gold laced liv-
cries. Three similar carriages followed.
All these bore the high officers of the
Kings household the ushers silver
sticks, controllers. etc The horses were
magniicently caparisoned and their
names were Enthusiastically intertwined with
silk of the peculiar color so often men
TONED in connection with the Queens
funeral trappings.
After the fourth carriage the band Of
the Life Guards in the fore court of the
palace struck up God Save the King
and the fifth carriage appeared drawn by
the six famous royal black stations. These
great horses were even more picturesque
than the more famous cream eolored ones.
They were almost covered with duII. black
leather trappings richly studded with gold.
In this coach rode the Duke of Portland.
Master OF the Horse; the Earl of Penn
broke, Lord Steward; the Duchess # Buc-
cleugh, Mistress of the Robes, and Lady
6uiheld Lady OF the Bedchamber
Then came The cloud of the corteee.
First there was a glittering escort OF the
Life Guards. followed by the Kings mar
shalmen. walking two and two. and the
Kings footmen in state Iiveries walking
In the same manner.