The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1901-01-26
CLOSED FOREVER.
VictOria'S Face VIII Never
Be Seen Again.
Family Took Last Look
Yesterday.
A Scene of Intense PathOS and
SOltmnity.
Queens Will Has Not
Been Read.
Proceedings Characterized by
Extreme Martial Air.
Queens Will Has Not
Been Read.
Proceedings Characterized by
Extreme Martial Air.

Cowes, Isle of Wight, January &c.
II. 40 a. m.-with n pathos and solemnity
such as seldoms marks the passing from
daylight into the darkness OF the collin,
the royal family yesterday took their last
loving look at the features Of the dead
Queen. About 10 o'clock in the morning
the she'll was brought into the bedroom,
where were waiting King Edward. EN-
peror William, the Duke Of Connnught,
Sir James Reid, and the royal ladies.
The latter having retired, Sir James
Reid, with reverent hands, assisted by
three trusted household servants, and in
the presence of the King, the Emperor
and the Duke, removed the body from
the bed to the coffin.
In death It was lovslier than in the
closing days of life. Not trace OF the
ravsges of disease was visible. The
servants having retired, Queen Alexan-
ORA. the prinoesses and the children were
recalled, and with lingering steps and
stitied sobs they passed slowly before
this white-robed and peaceful figure. At
the foot, never moving. stood the King,
and when the MORNING crowd had
passed there remained only the son and
grandson of che dead.
Emperor William wept even more bit.
terly than tine royal ladies. Finally he
also retired, and the King was left
alone. Sir James Reid, beckoning to the
servants, with the coffin lid, asked the
kings instr uctions.
For q few seconds the King stood
eechlsss, stricken with emotion at the
last farewell, Then he said:
"Closs it finally. 1t must not be
opened again"
Thus the remains of England's great
est ruler were forever closed from human
view. ReverentIy the coffin was borne
into the dining room. Officers and men
from the royal yachts took their stand
around the coffin, over which the King,
Queen and Kaiser gently laid the robes
of q knight OF the Garter. placing at the
head a diamond crown. Beneath lay
the royal ensign while hanging above
was the Union Jack.
At the altar was the rector Of Whip
bingham, who read portion OF the fu'
neral service in the presence OF the royal
family. Emperor William covered his
face with his hands. AMI the grief of
Princess Beatrice was pitiful. After the
bsnediction, eaon placed a wreath upon
the cotfin and then all retired.
TIE correspondent of the Associated
Press Is informed that the Queens Will
mas not been opened, and that, accord
ing to present arrangements, IL will not
be opened until after the funeral, its de-
tails beingsunknown to the royal family.
There is no truth In the statement that
King Edward and Emperor William
knelt by the bedside of the Queen and
swore to preserve peace
A significant fea ture OF all the death
bed scenes has been their absolute nat
uIainess, ana the absence of false and
dramatic elements.
According to a rumor circulating at
Osborne, King Edward desires himself TO
be styled His Imperial Majesty, In order
to emphasize the fact that he is Emperor
as well as king.
Today Saturday the local volunteers
and the forces In the Vicinity win pass
through the Uhapelle Ardent. After
these VIII pass the correspondents Of the
leading papers of the world.
A very remarkable feature of all the
proceedings is the intense martial air
which pervades them. The naval parade
off Spithead Is to be the greatest, II pos
sibls, the world ever saw, and the MILL
tary arrangements at Windsor will
eclipse anything OF the kind ever at
tempted.
nIIES CuREn HNIrunnn LILLE