The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-02-05

London, February with every cir
.cumstance of splendid pomp befitting
the obseauies of so mighty and we'll
beloved a monarch, all that is mortal
through the streets of the capital and
started towards the ancient fortress
palace of the sovereigns of England
sThe Solemn magnif1cence Of yesterdays
opening phase of these last rites was
duly maintained. Perhaps the stately
grandeurRof todays sorrowful pageant
through the swarming streets of Lon
don, with hundreds of thousands OF
mourners forming black border to
the route, will never be surpassed.
There was. in Victoria's funeral pro-
cession an absence of that black cere-
moniaI generally connected with the
final progress 20 TIE grave.
Today the coffin was drawn by cream
colored horses. The pail was white
and the uniforms of the troops and the
gold trappings sof the foreign ssover-
eigns, princes and representatives,
forming q glittering medley, gave bril-
liant coloring to the scene. The chief
Inourner himself, with his field mar
shaPs uniform, even though this was
partially hidden by his overceat, helped
to leaven the symbols Of mourning
marking the route.
Never sin English history has SOW
ereign been borne to the grave attend
ed by so many distinguished mourners.
The gathering of crowned heads sur
passed those who rode in the jubilee
procession. All the great officers of
state participated.
The display of the naval and military
forces reached the great total of $4,000
men,
THE PROCESSION STARTS.
The firing of minute-guns and the
tolling of bells at HIS o'clock ,announc-
to the countless multitudes who had
been crowding Londons muddy streets
since daylight that the funeral process
sion with the body of Queen Victoria
had begun it's passage through the cap
ital. The people fought for hours for
a glimpse Of the coffin and the kings
and others following it. They saw
long procession of soldiers, a passing
show Of dazzling regalia. with a hum
dred royalties crowding after and then
dispersed, while all the church chimes
of The city were ringing and muff1ed
dirges were played.
Europe has seen grander royal funer-
ais than the queens and had a more
gorgeous spectacle in the celebration
OF the sixty years of reign, but mo cpl
deeply impressed on the mensaries of
those who witnessed it or participated
in the ceremonies.
The dat'was .sombre, wet and chilly,
as are most of Londoa's winter days.
The cloudy sky added to the gloom Of
the whole city.
AT VICTORIA STATION.
The scene at Victoria station, from
early morning. was most brilliant and
impressive. For Itoday's ceremony fhe
station was TRANSFORMED into an i'm
mense reception hal All trains were
stopped before 9 O'Clock and the long
platforms Were covered with purIsae
tloth-sOn another platform. facing that
at which the queens trainkwas to ar
rive. guards of honor. composed OF
blue-jackets and -grenadier guards.
were drawn up. 3she broad roadway
separating the two was swept clean
and asunder, and a number Of little
purple colored platforms, from which
most OF the royal family were expect
ed to mount their horses. were placed
at Intervals at the side and center.
At 10 o'clock an army OF grooms,
with the horses, arrived and thence
forward distinguished British naval
and military officers and foreign royal
ties, in dazzling uniforms. came in
quick succession. The lord chamber
lain and his officials, bareheaded. with
their white wands of Office. received the
most distinguished personages and con-
Quoted them to little pavilion. erect
ed on the platform
The whole station. by that time re-
senbIed the scene ar levee.
The commander-in in-chief Of the forces.
Field Marshal Earl Roberts. on beau
tiful, spirited brown mare. carrying his