The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-01-24

and public buildings the flags were half
masted. The law courts, the stock ok
change and all the produce and metal ex-
changes throughout the country only as
sembled to close Immediately after the
presiding officers had addressed to the
members a few words of tribute to the
dead monarch.
There were exceptionally large congre-
cations in the churches in all parts of
the country At st. Pauls Cathedral the
prayers for the royal family were altered
to read:
For our sovereign lord, the King and
the Queen Consort."
All the services were ended by the play
ing of a dead march.
The various naval and military stations
fired salute of eighty-one guns at mid
day, to signalize the death of the Queen,
one gun for each completed year of the
Queens age.
Dense crowds, beginning at st. James
street, lined the entire route TO Victoria
Station, from an early hour. The police
on foot and mounted guards almost every
yard of the way. Finally preceded by half
a dozen mounted policemen, the new SOW
ereign arrived in plain brougham, which
was driven very rapidly, with the coach
man and footman in their usual gray liv-
! cries with mourning bands on their arms.
An equerry was seated beside him. The
King was, of course, dressed in the deep
est and most simple mourning, and care
fully raised his hat in acknowledgment
of the uncovering of heads.
The King looked, tired and very sad, but
very well.
Following him came the Duke of York.
! the Duke of Connaught and others. Both
the King and the Duke of York looked
pathetcally up at Buckingham Palace as
they passed, and acknowledged the salute
of the guard of honor drawn up inside the
palace grounds.
The Ceremony at st. James Palace.
The King drove to st. James Palace.
from Marlborough House, to preside at
the first privy council. by way of Marl-
borough House yard and the
garden entrance of the palace.
He was attended by Lord Suf-
field (who has been lord of the bed
chamber to the Prince of Wales since
1922 and was escorted by a captains es-
cort of the Horse Guards. The proceed
ure was exactly as on levee days. In the
throne room the privy councillors had
gathered in great number in levee dress
with crepe on their left arms-cabiuet
ministers, peers, commoners, bishops,
judges, the Lord Mayor, etc. including
the Duke of York, the Duke of Con-
naught and lesser members of the royal
family. Lord Salisbury, Lord Rosebery,
A. J. Balfour the Duke of Devonshire,
Lord Strathcona and Mount Royal. and
a host of the most prominent personages
in the land were there to receive the
Kings formal oath, binding him to govern
the kingdom according to its laws and
customs, and hear him assume the title
of King Edward VII of Great Britain and
Ireland and Emperor of India. The cere-
mony was interesting and according to
precedent. The King was in a separate
apartment from the privy Councillors. To
the latter the Duke of Devonshire, lord
municated the death of Queen,
Victoria and the succession to
the throne of her son, the
Prince of Wales. The royal dukes, with
certain lords of the council, were then
directed to repair to the Kings presence
to acqusint him with the terms of the lord
presidents S statement. Shortly afterwards
H..
the councillors were assembled and ad-
dressed them in a brief speech.
A Few COmmoners Were Present
Mngling with the royal dukes and
great personages of the kingdom were a
few men in plain clothes, to represent
the fact that the general public have
nominal right to be present.
The King wore field marshals uni
form and ribbon of the Order Of the
Garter. His voice at first, was painfully
broken with emotion.
According 20 His Mothers wish.
King Edward in his speech said he had
decided to assume the title OF King Ed
ward VII, in accordance with the wish
of his beloved mother, who, his Majesty
added, united the virtues OF a supreme
domestic guide with the affection and
patriotism of a wise, peaceloving mon
arch. He had a respectful desire 90 leave
the memory of his fathers name, AL
bert the exclusive treasure of his be-
loved mother Notwithstanding his per-
sonal desire. he could not hope to do
| Justice to the renown and virtues asso-
oiated with Prince Alberts name, but
he would do his utmost to be worthy Of
his great position.
The lord chancellor, Lord Halsoury,
then administered the oath OF the king.
Afterwards the various members Of the