Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-02-07
THE WEDDING EVE.
A Winter Carnival Holds Sway
Over The Hague,
Serenajes to Queen WiIheImina--
Crowds Of Foreigners Arriving.
Wedding Will Be Of PurtanicaI Simplicity in
Dutch Reformed Church.

The Hague. Feb. 6.-The wedding eve
Of Queen Wilhclmina and Duke Horny
Of Mecklcnberg Schwcierin shows Il
winter carnival holding sway over The
Hague. 1t is an ideal evening, clear
and cold. Already 100 600 Hollandcrs.
with many foreigners have been added
to the population of the city and the
trains from all quarters Of this ancient
kingdom arc bringing thousands more.
People so marching about or in car
r:agcs. singing or playing the national
anthem. Groups of young men ana
women costumed in white and orange
and in other bright colors. are parad-
ing about singing ANA making fun
with the crowds as in the mArdi gras.
Orange paper lanterns hanging among
the iir trees which line the main
streets ana looking like big clusters Of
grange throw light over the decora-
tions. Every man and woman wears an
orange rosctte. with Il picture of the
bride. Some. although few, display also
Il portrait Of the bridegroom.
Queen Wilhelmina dined at tie pal
ace this evening. with Duke Henry and
the family of the two. Occasionally she
appeared at an upper window to bow
Il response TO some serenadinE society.
\ striking feature OF the festivities
is their democratic atmosphere. There
are no cordons of policemen or soldiers
to hold back the crowds. There are no
swarms of detectives. There is no .alk
of anarchists.
The young Queen and Dukc Henry
have spent Il large part Of the week
thus far in driving about the city in
order to give the people a chance to
SEQ them. During the afternoon, today,
they rode out few miles along snow
covered roads to FiXhne. village
where a fisheries exhibition is being
held
The Queens constant escort IS II
young noblemen riding bay horses with
white saddles and cloths and wearing
maroon uniforms trimmed with black
fur. Wherever the royal cortese ap-
pears the people good naturally clear
the way. The Queen bows and smiles
with genuine youthful enjoyment. The
Duke is considered cold. however. and
looks bored.
The correspondent OF the Associated
Press has been permitted to see the
presents in the palace and many we'd
dings among wealthy Americans de
velOp a more lavish display. Neat pres
ents from the people of Holland gifts
showing the handiwork of humble
housewives throughout the kingdom,
take UP the most space. They have
been pouring in for weeks, 50 that
there is a great display of silverware.
porcelain, needlework. furniture and
jewelrY.
The mother Of Duke Henry has given
her son a table inlaid with pearls and
the mother of the Queen has given her
q necklace Of brilliants and sapphires
with a brooch of the same. The most
noteworthy gift is the carpet on which
the Queen is to he married. 1t is an I'M
mense rug. the handiwork of 80 per
sons participating in the festivities.
The design shows hundreds Of country
people in queer attire and wooden
shoes. among them women in ancient
lace cape and sleeveless dresses.
From 4 balcony Of til" palace this
evening. the Queen reviewed u parade.
Later there was a soircc at the palace
with tahlcauX. in the streets cinema
tograph pictures were displayed before
the people. Many of those represented
scenes in the Transvaal war. The Bo-
crs Wer" Chccrcd.
Pictures Of MI Kruger and Cen. DE
Wet are almost as numerous in the
shop window ~ those of the Queen
and Duke.
The military escort to the church. to-
morrow. will BE- exceedingly small. I'll"
service will u" that of the Dutch Re