Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-04-19
EASTER IN LONDON
Weather Was Sufficiently Genial to
Tempt People Outdoors.
some CURIOUS SEASON CUSTOMS
Favorite Day for WhitechapeI
Residents to Marry.
FOREIGN NEWS AND GOSSIP
Special Correspondence of The Evening Star.

Special Correspondence Of The Evening Star.
LONDON. April TO- 1901.
We have had our Easter in genial
weather, if not in bright sunshine. The
parks and green spaces, in the first blush
of spring attracted many thousands of the
weary population. and there seemed to be
a pretty general desire to be out of doors.
The National Gallery, the National Portrait
Gallery, the Tate Gallery and the Wallace
collection at Hartford House were all opened
TO the public during the afternoon, and
were well patronized by visitors The
Easter day services at many Of the
churches were both elaborate and impress
sive. and brought together large congrega-
tionS.
\ melancholy interest attached to the
midday celebration of holy communion at
ST. PaulS Cathedral. the service chosen be-
ing the imposing arrangement in a by the
late Sir John Stainer. 1t is interesting to
learn that just before he died the favorite
composer completed service for the holy
communion, written In the ancient style, to
be sung without accompaniment. The beau
ties of Sir Johns works were also heard in
thu services at Westminster Abbey and
other places of worship.
London is a somewhat less dreary place
on Sunday than formerly, and some of her
ancient reproach must be RENTED. The
the slightest by the success that has at
tended the efforts of the National Sunday
League TO provide wholesome music on the
Lords day, and TO keep the museums and
art galleries open. No one would be foolish
enough To deny that the rendering Of good
music has anything but an eievating in
fiuence. The popularity of the concerts that
are given every Sunday at the Queens
Hall under the direction of this orgaaiZa-
zion is attested by the large audiences that
regularly attend Not only is the all
crowded. but similar concerts in different
parts of London are accorded an equal
measure of success.
The bands of the Coldstream Guards and
the Royal Horse Guards We're included in
the program at two places Easter Sunday,
and at another hall AN Evening With the
Poets formed the subject of an address
Ihat the people appreciate these efforts in
their behalf is fully attested by the way
In which they turn out for them.
One unvarying Easter custom in the East
End is that of the rush to get married on
Easter Sunday. The overworked clergy of
the East End and South of London, IN ad-
dition to the many services had to face the
usual rush OF those who declined to yail
themselves OF Mr.. Punch's advice and it
was not until after 3 o'clock that many oh
tanned respite from their labors. A church
in the East End known as the Red
Church is the favorite place for these
marriages, and hundreds of Whitechapelers
are married there every Easter They
used to be free, but now the fee is seven
pence half penny. while one or other of
the contracting parties must reside within
the parish.
During the afternoon and evening par
lies, headed by newly married couples
were seen proudly promenading the streets
OF the East End in all the glory of their
unaccustomed fnery.
After having talked it over for long
time Congregational Church in England
mas been bold enough to adopt an innoya-
ton from America called "a twentieth cen
fury reform. This was at Ipswich, where,
ON Easter Sunday, individual communion
cups were used for the first time in Eng
land. There was a large congregation
and every communicate had the comforting
knowledge that he was not exposing him
self TO the risk of contracting consumption
cancer and other diseases which medical
men agree TO be possible when everybody
drinks from one chalice. The new COM
munion outfit consisted of 200 miniature
glass tumblers with g.lded tops which were
carried TO communicates on small wooden