The Portland daily press., 1901-02-04
UNDER CLOUDY SKY.
Funeral Procession of Queen Passed
Through streets OF London.

London, February 2.-The firing Of
minute guns and the tolIine OF bells ct
quarter past eleven announced TO the
countless multitudes VINO had been
orowding London's muddy streets
since:dsyIight that the funeral procession
with the body Of Qneen Victoria had be-
gun its passage through the capital. The
people fought for hours for q glimpse Of
the coffin and the King and others follow
ing 1t. They saw Ions procession OF
soldiers, a passing show Of dazzling re-
gala, with hundred royalties crowding
after ana then dispersed, while all the
church chimes OF the city were ringing
and mufiied dirges were placed.
Europe has seen grander royal funerals
than the Queens IA had more gor-
geous spec taole In the celebration of the
sixty years OF reign, but no episode In the
Victorian era will live 90 dsepy im-
prssssed on the memories OF tnoss who
witnessed and participated In the oere-
monies. The day was sombre, wet and
chilly, as are most Of London's winter
days. The cloudy sky added TO the
gloom OF this whole oity
The procession, n part from the csr-
riage bearing the coffin and royal family
and official mourners about it was not
net sworthy. Parliament. the Judiciary
ana the commercial bodies were not rep
resen led. Royalty, the army and the navy
monopolized the pageant. Three thous-
andsoidiers and sailors, cavalry artillery,
Infantry, yeomanry, militia, volunteers
and coIonials formed the advance escort.
They marohsd slowly ana without music
Mozt of the uniforms were covered with
draped with black, the officers wearing
bands Of Grape on their sleeves. The in
fantry marched in columns OF four with
rifles reversed. They were hall an hour
In passing. Then came Field Marshal
Earl Roberts and his staff and. after
them. four Inasssd bands playing funeral
marches. Three hundred musicians an
nouncsd the coming of the body of the
q leen. There was long array Of court
officials, under the leadership OF the Duke
OF Norfolk 1.-THE earl marshaD, all attired
quAiutly and brilliantly, bearing Juacss
or wands. most of them being elderly
men who for years had served the royal
lady for whom they were performing last
offices.
Most OF the spectators expected an I'M
posing catafalque and the coffin was al
most past before they recognized its
presence by removing their hats 1t was
a pathstically small oblong block con-
csaIed beneath q rich pail OF white satin,
ON the corne-s of which CLEANED this roy
al arms. Across the pail the royal stand
ard was drapsd and large crown OF gold
encrusted with Jewels rested at the head
Of the coffin. whinh was at the end OF the
gun carriage, just over the gun. On the
foot OF the ootiin were two smaller
crowns. with gold jeweled sceptre lying
between them. The eight horses whic h
drew the gun car iaRe were almost con-
caaled meath rich harnesses. A large bow
OF pupIle was attached to the oofIin.
This was the only symbol OF mourning.
Around ths coffin walked the stalwart
bearers, non-commissioned officers OF the
guards and household cavalry, and on
either side were the Queens equerries,
Lords In waiting, and physicians. All
the uniforms were covered with long,
dark oloaks
The spectacle was SO quickly passed that
the spectators hardly realized 1t or had
time 10 bare their heads and comprehend
the details, when group OF magnificent
ly attired horsemen with shining helmets
ana coats, mounted on beautiful charg-
ers, was before them.
Immediately after ths company about
the coffin, three royal mourners rode
abreast. King Edward VII was the
central figure OF the three, bus no less os-
tentatious parsonage was seen in the pro-
cession. A black ehaen with a plume OF
white feathers was on his head, long
black cloak was buttoned around him
and hung down over the big black horse
which he was riding. The Kings face
seemed grave and careworn. He looked
straight ahead, apparently at the gun
carriaGe on which was the body OF the
sovereign whose glory and responsibilities
he had inherited. He did not see or gave
no sign of seeing, the long ranks of SOL
diers hedging back the populace abouS
him, the windows crowded with black
bonneted womens the multitudes OF un-
covered heads. the purple drsperies and
the green wreaths everywhere. He passed
iiks a man alone, who neither knew nor
Thought of the world about him and the
sentiment his presence inspired was only |
and pity. The people seemed |
to see In the King one OF themselves and |
the deep murmurs which arose here and |
there carried note Of sorrow and love
almost as deep as the expressions which |
greeted the passage OF the coffin OF their |
Queen.
Beside Edward rode Emperor William,
his nephew and neighbor. He looked |
every inch a soldier and the commander |
OF men. His imperial Majesty glanced
r light and left as he rode ana his hand |
was frequently raised to the red and |
white feathers hanging over his hat. as
he responded to saIutsa. Emperor Will
liam also wore black cloak over his new |