The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-01-24

shrin blast, which the lord mayors
trumpeters answered and then the city
marshal rode up to the barrier and de-
manded Who goes there2
The Norroy king-at-arms 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 aldermen, who were still
grouped in the street.
The herald then read theproclamation,
to which the mayor and aldermen re-
I'VE, with one voice, consent. tongue
and heart, pledge allegiance to King
Edward VII"
The trumpeters blew a blast while
the wondering crowd stood bareheaded
and silenced not knowing what to do till
a military band in procession struck up
God Save the King" This familiar air
has but one meaning in England and
the crowd took up the words feebly- with
God Save the King on the tongue but
with God Save the Queen in mind.
A few streets further on the proclama-
ton was read again and the procession
advanced by way Of Ludgate hill. to the
Royal Exchange The final prOclama-
ton was made in front Of the Royal
Exchange The square before the ex-
change with the prisOn-lilze walls Of the
Bank Of England on one side and the
massive official residence of the lord
lord mayor on the other was a stage
setting whose age and solidity bef1tted
the portentiOus ceremony. There were
no decorations except flags. all half
masted. save the city's red cross on a
white field over the Mansion House. The
royal standard hung above the exchange
and over the surrounding business build
ings flew the Union Jack.
Black was the universal color worn
by the people. Hardly a bright bonnet
or gown relieved the somberness of the
crowd Soldiers and policemen formed
an almost solid lane down Cheapside
where the pageant was to pass The
people behind them, croWding for
sight over their shoulders. were Of all
classes from the prosperous brokers to
East End costers-
The mass was subdued and remark
ably orderly, an impressive contrast to
the usual London holiday crowd The
roofs Of the exchange. bank and Man
sion house and the windows and bal
comics overlooking the scene were filled
with solid rows Of people Big police
men kept a clear space in front Of the
exchange At about 10 O'Clock the pro
cessiOn. which was disappOintingly short.
though gorgeous. swept down from
Temple Bar at rapid pace and was re-
ceived silently The officials entered the
exchange by CornnlH and appeared on
the top steps, the lord mayor with the
sword bearer leading, sheriffs. aldermen,
recorder and city marshal following
A flourish of trumpets impressed sill
ence upon the crowds as the lord mayor,
uncOvering. stepped forward All hats
came off and the men remained bare
headed throughout the ceremony, under
the misty rain. for nearly half an hour.
The lord mayors voice was strong and
his words were distinguishable a block
away while he read the warrant of the
privy council to the herald Thereupon
the spectaculariy-att herald, bare
headed, also for the third time
delivered the proclamation. Probably
no one fifty feet away heard his words
until at the ending he raised his voice
and shouted God Save the King" put
ting particular stress on the words.
When the lord mayor finished reading
the warrant with the words his majes-
ty. King Edward W." the crowd for
the first time cheered feebly. but with
out unison. seeming to feel that too
great display Of enthusiasm. for the
king may appear to partalxe Of disloyal-
ty to the memory Of the departed queen.