The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-03
Circulation Statement.
The nnriaI Of Victoria.

Inc
Considered merely as a spectacle, the
funeral of the Queen was magnificent and
impressive beyond description. Never be-
fore have so many of the great ones of
the earth gathered TO do homage to the
memory OF dead sovereign. Beside King
Edward and Queen Alexandra, there were
among The mourners the Emperor OF Ger
many, the King OF Greece, the King of
Portugal, the King of Belgium, the Duke
of Ssxe-Coburg, Prince Henry of Prus-
STA. Prince Christian of Schieswig- Hol-
stein, Prince Arthur of Connaught, the
Grown Prince OF Germany, the Grown
Prince OF Poumania. the Duke of Hesse.
the Duke of Sparta, the Crown Prince
OF Denmark, the Grown Prince of Nor
way and Sweden, the Crown Prince OF
Siam, Arehduke Ferdinand of Austria,
Archduke Michael of Russia-the list
reads like a roll-call of royalty. War
ships Of all civilized countries made
solid wall Of steel on either side the royal
yacht which bore the Queens body from
the Isle Of Wight to the mainland. All
London was hung with black and with
futHtG dS tHO SOiNtSS pdSotu-
There was absolutely no omission of any
detail which might tend to make the last
rites more solemn and significant
But the outward pomp and grandeur Of
the spectacle was the least part of it.
The whole demonstration. from beginning
to end. was spontaneous outpouring of
the love and grief of the people. The sor
row of the King and Emperor was. though
differing in kind. not more sincere than
that OF the humblest shopkeeper who
draped his windows in cheap black and
closed his doors on the day OF the funeral.
A touching and significant incident was
that of The procession which followed the
Queens body after the services at Osborne
House. il is said that it was the wish OF
Victoria that her children. relatives. and
tenants should follow the casket on foot,
in accordance with an old Highland Gus
tom: and this seems an especial proof OF
the simplicity of her nature and the love
which she bore for the poetic and beau
tiful traditions of the Highlands. The
procession which set forth from Os-
borne House was certainly strong
contrast TO some funerals conducted
after the modern fashion. It was a
tribute to the woman and a ccnces-
sion to her tastes and wishes. while the
magnificent and stately pageant of yes
terday was tribute to the Queen and to
her wide and powerful influence. But the
millions Of people who stood for hours in
the chill London mist to catch a glimpse
of the funeral cortege were. it is safe to
say, actuated by the same reverence which
moved the royal relatives of the dead
Queen TO walk a mile and half over
muddy roads, with utter absence of world
ly pomp and state. during the progress
from Osborne House.
Even to democratic eyes there is
grandeur and beauty in this stately cere-
monial Symbolism is a language which
all the world understands. and the royal
mourners who followed the body Of the
good Queen Of England TO its last resting
place represented those who, in all coun-
tries. mourn her death and reverence her
memory. To attempt to beiittle or decry
this spirit OF reveren. loyaity-loyalty not
TO monarchical institutions. but to the
personality of good and great Queens
to declare ones self petty and mean-spir-
tied. There are people who mount upon
their own violent convictions. like little
man upon a ladder. and are convinced that
they are above the crowd, and in some
way superior, through their insensibiity
10 the feelings of common humanity; but
they are hardly worth attention. The in
terest which all mankind must feel in the
obsequies of Queen Victoria is something
more than vulgar curiosity. 1t is a pure
and genuine admiration for high character
in a high place.