The silver star., 1901-02-08
LAST FUNERAL CEREMONIES
OF THE GREATEST OF QUEENS


cleaned the royal arms.
Across the pail the royal standard
was draped and a large crown Of gold,
encrusted with jewels, rested at the
head OF the coffin, which was at the
end Of the gun carriage, just over the
gun.
On the foot of the coffin were two
smaller crowns with gold jeweled
scepter lying between them. The eight
horses which drew the gun carriage
were almost concealed beneath their
rich harnesses. A large bow Of purple
was attached to the coffin. This was
the only symbol Of mourning.
Around the coffin walked the stall
wart bearers, non-commissioned off,
GERS Of the guard and household caval-
ry, and on either side were the Queens
equerries, lords in waiting and physi-
clans. All the uniforms were covered
with long dark cloaks.
The spectacle was so quickly past
that the spectators hardly realized 1t
or had time to bare their heads, or
comprehend the details when a group
of magnificently attired horsemen, with
sparkling helmets and coats, mounted
on beautiful chargers, was before them
Immediately after the company about
the coffin three royal mourners rode
abreast King Edward VII. was the
central figure of the three, but no less
ostentatious a person was seen in the
procession.
A black chapeau, with q plume of
white feathers, was on his head, and
a long black cloak was buttoned
around him and hung down over the
big, black horse which he was riding.
The Kings familiar 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 soldiers hedging back
the pOpulace about him.
The windows. crowded with black
bonneted women. the multitudes of un-
covered heads, the purple draperies
and the green wreaths everywhere, he
passed like a man alone, who looked
like he cared not for the world about
him and the sentiment his presence in
spired was only sympathy and pity.
The people seemed to see in the King
one Of themselves, and the deep MUIR
murs which arose here and there car
ried note Of sorrow and love almost
as deep MS the expressions which greet
ed the passage of the coffin Of their
Queen.
Beside King Edward rode Emperor
William, his nephew and neighbor.
The unique, commanding figure of the
German emperor could not for a mo-
ment be mistaken. He looked every
inch soldier and the commander of
men. His imperial majesty glanced
right and left as he rode and his hand
was frequently raised to the red and
white feathers hanging over his hat,
as he responded to salutes. Emperor
William also wore a black cloak over
his British field marshars uniform,
and the splendid white charger be-
meath him pranced up and down, CIV
ing his majesty an opportunity to dis
play fine horsemanship.
On the kings left rode his brother,
the duke of Connaught, a man Of SOL
dierly appearance, almost unnOticed
and unrecOgnized by the people.
In the second rank. behind, rode two
more sOvereigns, the kings of Greece
gold lace.
There followed a dazzling array of
members of royal families, numbering
about forty in all, and riding three
abreast. So close were they together
and 10 quickly did they pass that indi-
viduals. prospective rulers of empires.
kingdoms and principalities, could not
be distinguished.
The next section Of the procession In
cluded the six royal carriages.
A far from numerous military es-
cort. including n deputation from the
Queens German dragoon regiment,
composed the Inst section OF the pro-
cession.
Ten minutes after the coffin appeared
the funeral procession had passed and
the music Of the dirges drifted back
across st. James park.
For nm hour before the arrival OF the
procession PaddinRtOn station was the
center Of striking scenes. There were
assembled there. clad In glitterinR cos
tunes, the ambassadors, ministers and
representatives OF every civilized coun-
try on the globe Mingled with them
were the highest officers Of the crown.
All were engaged In the work prepare.
tory to the departure for Windsor.
Among them. conspicuous because Of
the absence Of adOrnment. dressed In
plain black clothing, was the American
ambassador.
King Edward. Queen Alexandra and
the duke Of COnnnught stood grouped
together NJ the cofiin was borne in and
then they all took seats and the train
started for Windsor.
The funeral services at Windsor
were conducted In the Prince Albert
memorial chapel. erected by the Queen
In memory Of her dead husband, by the
Archbishop Of Canterbury and the
Blshop Of winchester.
An Impressive feature was the king.
of-arms' pr0nouncement Of the titles
Of the deceased. Standing before the
altar he went through the old formula.
ending up with "0od save the King"
delivered no forcibly and dramatically
that his hearers started. sunk into q
realization Of the change Of regime
which had no suddenly come about.
At O'Clock the service was over.
The archbishop Of Canterbury bowed
his head ON the altar and prayed, and
the kings and princes passed to the left
Of the altar. leaving the cofiin and
passing into the castle.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS