The Washington times., 1902-08-10

Y Il ~ vi
sitting. 1t would. indeed. be difficult to
| say what well-known people were not
| represented among the thousands who
| filled these stands. French, German,
and Italian one heard repeatedly. The
unmistakable speech of American, Can
adian, and Australian frequently fell
upon the ear as one passed. In short,
the stands were the great feature of the
day. apart from the ceremony witnessed
by the privileged few within the Abbey.
But during the hours OF waiting the
assembled thousands had something
more than one another to gaze at.
From 7:30 until 10 o'clock constant
stream of vehicles vas passing, setting
down peers, peesesses, and other dis
tinguished people at various entrances
to the abbey. at o'clock the gold
slaves. the gentlemen who were to act
as ushers during the ceremonies. mar
sh2l.ng guests to their seats. began to
arrive They were splendid to behold.
in uniform OF court dress. with the
white badge of Office on the left arm
and carrying scarlet slaves tipped Will
gold. Among the first arrivals was the
Duke of Norfolk. the earl marshal, with
his wand of Office. perhaps the busiest
man in London today.
Old State Coaches.
Then began to roll u2 cid fashioned
state coaches OF the nobility. Many OF
those had not seen he light of day until
repainted and gi!ded for todays cere-
monies since Victorias coronation, SOME
even longer. These were drawn by four
horses with outrideTs and gorgeousiy
liveried footmeu standing on the rail
behind They were a source OF great in
terest to the multitude. who were able
to catch a glimpse through the windows
at peers and peeresses wearing s52.
ermine robes and of little boys dressed
in bright pages uniforms, ready to per-
form the eagerly coveted duty of bear
ing the trains OF lords and ladies.
1t was n quaint contrast to see, some
times uniformed soldiers and ro5ed
peers riding in modern motor car be-
hind one of these old-tjme coaches. while
now and then a democratic noble drove
smartly up in a modest hanson.
At $50 the Duke of Connaught, one
of the royal field marshals, who was in
command of the troops, inspected the
whole route in a small open motor car.
accompanied by Maj. Gen. Sir Henry
Trotter. Throughout the morning nu-
merous bands played operate and ma
tional airs, interspersed with the newt
able fagtime tunes.
Lord Mayor Appears.
The lord mayor in a coach and six ar
rived at the Abbey at 9:l5. At 10 O'Clock.
when the barriers were closed, all car
riages were stopped outside of them,
and some belated peers and peeresses.
among whom was Lord Rcsebery, had to
alight and proceed on foot to the Abbey
entrances. During the whole time the
bells of St. Margaret's Church pealed
merriH.
AT 10:45 exactly the first portion of
the royal procession approached the Alb
hey. This was headed by trumpeters
Of the Royal Horse Guards, with two
squadTons OF the guards. Then fol-
lowed seven royal carriages, pair hors-
ed, carrying princes and princesses,
members OF the British royal families.
In the eighth carriage, drawn by six
black horses, with outriders, were Lady
Alexandra Duff and the Princesses
Maud, Victoria. and Louise.
AS these carriages approached the
Abbey the guards band played a live
ly march by Sousa. When the Abbey was
nearly reached the first six notes OF the
national anthem were played slowly |
to each carriage, and this performance
was repeated by another band, as the |
occupants of the several carriages were |
set down at the entrances.
Prince of Wales Arrives.
At few minutes before IL the boom |
an officer attended by two troopers rode
smartiy down the line. All of the
troops shouldered arms, and in another
minute the Prince of Wales division
drew up. This consisted of three COW
cred carriages, each drawn by two
horses, ridden by postillions. The first
two carriages contained members of the
household of the Princes and Princess
of Vale, and in the third were the
Prince and Princess. Each carriage
was attended by an escort of the Royal
Horse Guards. The bands played the
opening notes of God Save the King,
as they did for the first carriages.
The procession OF the Prince and
Princess of Wales division received con-
siderable applause, but the spectators
were not enthusiastic. They allowed the
first two portions OF the procession TO
pass very quietly. reserving their en-
for the King.
Welcoming the King.
At HOS the bells of st. Margaret's
ceased to peal. and a curious silence
fell on the crowd for a few minutes.
The Abbey's peal of six mellow-toned
bells rang a welcome to the King. His
approach was heralded by moanted Of
ficer. followed by the Kings bargemas
ter and twelve watermen. in quaint me-
dieval tunics, knee breeches and stock
ings of all scarlet, with the crown and
badges emblazoned in gold on their
breasts and wearing low buckled shoes
and black velvet caps.
These were the first men in the pro-
cession who went afoot Then followed
four closed carriages in pairs, with the
households of their majesties. These,
as indeed all the carriages, were drawn
by magnificent looking horses. which
were gorgeously caparaisoned. The
horses seemed TO fret at the slow pace
to which the gold-laced outriders held
them down, and their prancing added to
the beauty of the procession.
After the fourth carriage came a gilt
tering mounted cavalcade representing
every branch of both services. Volun-
teprs yeomanry and militia were all |