The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-08-12

doubtedly the most picturesque feature
OF the procession. while the state
coach of the king. drawn by the fat
Hanoverian horses which figured in all
OF the late Queen victorsa's professions
seemed much more like fairyland than
usual.
The progress of the royal cortege was
marked and no special incident with
the exception of an accident TO Lord
Edward Pelham Clinton. one OF the
grooms in waiting. 1t was a continued
triumph and reached its climax on the
arrival at the Abbey, where there was
n scene Of unparalleled enthusiasm
which did not cease until their majes-
ties disappeared in the annex The ac-
cident 10 Lord Pelham Clinton created
considerable excitement in the Mall.
The groom in waiting, in a closed carri-
age, was passing York Steps when his
conveyance collided with another royal
carriage going at high speed in an OPP
posite direction. The horses fell and
there appeared to be bad mix up.
The police extricated the teams with
some difficulty and Lord Pelham Clin-
ton, who was only slightly hurt, pro-
ceeded
In Westminster Abbey the doors Of
that edifice were scarcely opened and
the gold sticks and ushers had barely
found their stations before the seats
began 10 fill. Peers and peeresses
swept up the nave, their scarlet and
ermine making vivid contrasts with
the deep blue of the carpet. AS they
arrived before the thrones they sepa-
rated, the peers going to the right and
the peeresses to the left.
Even when practically empty, the
abbey presented an interesting pictur-
esque effect, the oldest feature OF
which consisted in every seat being
practically covered by a large, white
which was placed a small, deep. red
book of service.
Without the tapestries or light fur
| nishings of the tiers upon tiers of seats
which rose so feet high, the combina-
| ton of white and red programmes by
| liminary eulogies of the decorative ar
| rangements were not over stated. The
entire scheme had been. carried out
| harmoniously and even the stands die
not seem out of place. A peculiarly
| beautiful effect was presented by the
Kings and Queens boxes. comprising
half a dozen rows of chairs in white
satin. Fslieyed only by the crimson o
7 the seats. Beyond the structural decor
ations, there was little attempt at an!
display, and the old gray arches len
| their stately perspective to the scene
untouched by flags or any gleam q
color.
The various chairs to be used by th'
King and Queen in the service, attract
ed special attention, but what inevitabl.
| caught the eye was the glittering ARA,
of gold plate, brought from various
royal repositories ranged along the
| chancel and behind the altar. Amids
these surroundings, the Earl-Mashai
the duke of Norfolk resplendent il
white knee breeches and heavily EN-
broidered coat. hurried to and fro di
recting the final touches.
BY 10 o'clock the interior of tn
Abbey presented a blaze of color Alon,
the nave, which was lined by granadier
every chair was taken Up by high off
GERS of the army and navy and other
in equally handsome equipment.
On top of the arch separating III
nave from the chancel sat the surplice'
orchestra In stalls within with tn
other ambassadors was the Unite
States ambassador. Jos. H. Choate an
Mrs. Choate, and many officials.
During the long wait, Edwin A
Abbey, the American artist who wa
commanded to paint the coronation
scene in Abbey. and who wore cour
uniform. took careful note of the sur
roundings for the historic picture or
dered by the king.
The peeresses look advantage Of tn
long interval to stroll UP and down, bu
} the peers sat awaiting the arrival Q
: the sovereign. their ermine caps pre-
senting a solid mass of white.
After 10 o'clock the organ and ban
played, while the spectators, many G
whom showed signs OF sleepines'
chatted or swept with their glasse
what portions of the Abbey they coul
see from their seats
The service commenced with the re
conservation Of the regalia. The pro
cession Of the clergy with the regali
then proceeded from the altar to th
annex, all present standing UP and III
choir singing: 20 God. Our Help 1
| Ages Past
Preceding the regalia came the boy
4 of Westminster Abbey, followed by IN
2 children of the chapel and the choir
! royal uniforms
: The duke of Connaught took his pla6
beside the prince OF Wales in the Able
as the procession entered. bowling q
, he passed the prince
Z. The archbishop OF Canterbury too