The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-01-25
Procession OF HeraIds I'm Gorgeous
Dress and "A Military Pageant
Led by Earl Roberts.
QUAINT SCENE IN OLD LONDON
WHERE ROPE or SILK BARRED
PROGRESS OF THE HERALDs.
Bearers of the Proclamation Admitted
by the Lord Mayor After Chal-
Ienge and Explanation.

LONDON, Jan. 24.-London was to-day
given a glimpse of medieval times. The
quaint ceremonies with which King Edward
VII was proclaimed at various points of
the metropolis exactly followed ancient
precedents. The officials purposely arranged
the function an hour ahead OF the pub
lished announcement. and the inhabitants.
when they awoke, were surprised to find
the entire way between st. James Palace
and the city lined with troops. About 10.0OC
soldiers, life guards, horse guards, foot
guards and other cavalry and infantry
regiments had been brought from Aldershot
and London barracks after midday. AL
the officers had crepe on their arms, and
the drums and brass instruments were
shrouded with crepe. The troops in them
selves made an imposing spectacle, but
they were entirely eclipsed by the strange
spectacle presented by the officials of the
college OF arms.
The ceremony began at st. James Palace.
where. at o'clock. Edward VII was pro-
claimed King OF the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Ireland, and Emperor
of India. The proclamation. which was
read by William Henry Weldon. king-at-
arms since 1894, and formerly Windsor
herald, was as follows:
Whereas, 1t has pleased Almighty God
to call 70 His mercy our late sovereign lady,
Queen Victoria, of blessed and glorious
memory, by whose decease the imperial
crown of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland Is solely and rightfully
come to the high and mighty Prince Ed
ward. We, therefore, the lords, spiritual AMI
temporal. of this realm, being here assisted
wlth those of her late Majesty's privy coun-
men of quality. the Lord Mayor, Aldermen
and citizens of London, do hereby,
with one voice, consent or tongue and
heart, to publish and proclaim that the
now, by the death Of our late sovereign of
happy memory, become our only lawful and
rightful liege lord. Edward VII, by the
grace OF God, King of the United Kingdom
of Great Britain and Ireland, defender of
the faith. Emperor of India, TO whom we
acknowledge all faith and constant obedi-
ence with all hearty and humble affection.
beseeching God. by whom all kings and
queens do reign. to bless the royal Prince
Edward VII with long and happy years
10 reign over US"
THE KING NOT PRESENT.
The King was not present. There was
a large assemblage of officials and college
heralds. Among those in attendance were
General Roberts and members Of his head
quarters staff and other army officers.
There was a great concoursc Of people
from the commencement to the close. The
proclamation was greeted by a fanfare of
tIumpets. At the conclusion of the cere-
mony the band belonging TO the foot guards
in the Priory court played God Save the
King" The members Of the Kings house
hold Witnessed the ceremony from Marl-
borough House. On the balcony overlook
ing the Priory court whence the proclama-
ton was read, were the Duke OF Norfolk
and other officers of state. The balcony
was draped in crimson cloth. Beside the
officials in resplendent uniforms were sta
toned the state trumpeters. Here were
seen many prominent persons. among them
Sir Henry Arthur White, private solicitor
TO the Queen, the Prince of Wales and
other members OF the royal family. In the
yard of Marlborough House and the Priory
court were stationed large body of police,
soldiers and foot guards. The foot guards
acted as guard OF honor and they were
posted Immediately beneath the balcony.
A large crowd witnessed the ceremony.
The spectators began TO assemble at an
early hour. The troops arrived at O'Clock
and shortly before o'clock In the morn
ing a brilliant cavalcade passed. A bril-
liant calvacade passed down the Mall and
entered Priory court. 1t consisted of the
headquarters staff. headed by the COM
mander -in-chief of the forces. Field Mar
shal Earl Roberts. in full uniform. and
carrying a masked baton, and Sir Evelyn
Wood. the adjutant general to the forces
At o'clock the court dignitaries. headed
by the Duke of Norfolk. the earl-marshal
appeared on the balcony. Then the heralds
blew fanfare and the King-at-arms
Weldon. in the midst of dead silence, read
the proclamation. All heads were barred
and as the reading was concluded the
King-at-arms. raising his three-cornered
hat. cried loudly. God save the King"
The crowd took up the cry while the
cheers. the fanfares OF trumpets and the
band playing the national anthem. made
a curious medley. A third fanfare of trum-
pets ended the ceremony
The officials then marched in process
sion from the balcony, through the palace
TO the ambassadors court where a num-
Der OF royal carriages had been placed by
the direction OF the King at the disposal of
the earl-marshal. These took the officials
who read the proclamation. to the city.
escorted by detachment OF horse guards.
forming picturesque and gorgeous pro-
cession.
A PICTURESQUE SCENE.
The contingent from the college OF arms
was composed of three Kings-at-arms. four
heralds and eight pursuivants The cos
tunes OF the two latter were gorgeous
beyond compare. They wore tabards. a
garment resembling the costume OF kings
as depicted on playing cards. These tab
arcs were beautifully and heavily embroid
cred with silk lions. the royal coat OF
arms. and flowers in bewilderins confusion.
There was the rogue dragon the bI,,a