The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-01-29


The officials then marched in process
sion from the balcony, through the
palace to the ambassadors court,
whence royal carriages took the off,
eials, who read the proclamation, to
the city, escorted by a detachment Of
horse guards.
The contingent from the college-of-
arms was composed of three kings-at-
arms, four heralds and eight pursuiv-
ants. The costumes of the two latter
were gorgeous beyond compare. They
wore tabards, a garment resembling
the costume of kings as depicted on
playing cards. These tabards were beau
tifully and heavily embroidered with
silk lions, the royal coat-at-arms and
flowers in bewildering confusion. There
was the u dragon, the blue man
tie and the maltravers, with all the ar
mortal bearings of that quaint old
body, the col~lege-of-arms, in full and
solemn array.
A blare of trumpe.s announced the
progress of the picturesque cavaicade
through Trafalgar square and the
Strand.
The chief interest Of the morning
centered in the entrance of the heralds
procession into the city at Temple bar.
1t was 9:15 o'clock, when, out of the
grey mist, from within the city boun-
dairy, appeared a procession of carri-
ages forming the lord mayors entour-
age. The lord mayor, sheriffs, alder
men and mace bearers, in scarlet, fur
trimmed robes, cooked hats, ruff1ed
shirts. silk knee breeches, and low
buckled shoes, peered out from the
Cinderilla-like coaches.
Ten strong policemen stretched a red.
silken rope across the thcroughfare, in
honor of the city's ancient gate privi-
leges. The troops came to attention.
Two gold laced trumpeters appeared
beside the great gold griffin that mark
the city boundaries. Officials grouped
between the lines of drawn troops.
Then the city marshal, in brilliant
uniform, rode up to the barrier and the
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS, whose green and
gold tabard outshone those of his col
leagues, appeared at the imaginary
bar. His trumpeter blew a shrill blast.
which the lord mayors trumpeters an
swered, and hen the city marshal rode
up to the barrier and demanded who
goes there?"
The neutrality-suspicious. replied that
it was the kings herald, come to read
a proclamation.
Enter herald said the marshal.
and the herald was conducted to the
lord mayor and the aldermen, who were
still grouped In the street.
The herald then read the proclama-
ton, to which the mayor and alder
men replied: I'VE, with one voice,
consent, tongue and heart. pledge al
legiance to King Edward VII"
A military INK struck UP God Save
the King The crowd took up the
words feebly.
A few streets further on the procla-
nation was read again and the process
sion advanced, by way of Ludgate Hill,
to the royal exchange. where the final
proclamation was made. The square
before the exchange was a Stage set
tinr WEnca q % and cn1i6ifU hpfittp6
the ~portentiouS There were
practically no decorations. Everybody
was attired in black. The crowd was
Soldiers and policemen formed an al
most solid lane down Cheapside.
AT 10 o'clock the procession, greeted
silently, swept down from the bar. The
officials entered the exchange and
MOUNTS the top steps.
The lord mayor, ~uncoverlng, stepped
onward All hats came off and the
men remained bareheaded in the misty
rain for nearly half an nOur. The lord
mayors voice was strong as he read
the warrant OF the privy council to the
herald.
Thereupon the peculiarly attired
herald, bareheaded also. for the third
time. delivered the proclamation. He
ended with a loud shout. God Save
the King" The palace responded
heartily with cheers. and echoed the
shout.
The lord mayor proceeded to the
Mansion house from whose balcony he
called out: Join In singing from the
bottom of your hearts God ave the
King"
The common sergeant illegal adviser
of the corporation) led off, when hun
dreds Joined in. This was repeated
three times, eventually reaching a
mighty roar. Then came more cheers
for the king and for the queen con-
sort. Throughout these ceremonies,
however, there was an undertone of
mourning.
Then the life guards and officials
from the west end moved away, and
the crowd broke up.
The city officers gathered about a
table in the Mansion house n raised
their glasses, drinking to the health of
King Edward VII. who had been pro-
claimed king according to the ancient
ritual.
Il