Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-01-17


due regard for their efficiency renders
possible in the special circumstances OF
the present exegency," the speech con-
cluded with mentioning proposed con-
solidation of solely domestic interests,
with the exception of bill to facili-
tate the sale and purchase of land in
Ireland.
Their Majesties then retired amid a
fanfare of trumpets and attended by
the same regal ceremony as accompan-
led their entry into the House.
The crowds which lined the route
from buckingham Palace to Westmins-
ter to view the procession, were not
nearly so large as on the occasion of
the last opening of Parliament. Guards
| men. assisted by hundreds Of police,
kept the spectators back, but they had
little to do. Only few attempts at
decoration were visible. For once roy
atty was late and when the King and
Queen drove out from the courtyard in
front of Buckinham Palace they were
20 minutes behind time and King Ed
ward was still struggling with an I'M
ruly glove.
1HclT hdJtSlieS WeIc SIetlcu eutHuS-
iastically. AS they sat in the great
state coach they bowed somewhat
wildly from their huge gold and glass
frame, which shook and reeled on it's
ancient springs like a ship in a storm.
The King and Queen both looked ex-
tremely WE'LL but Her Majesty appear
ed to be in especially good health.
What with the two central figures so
easily seen and So gorgeously clad, and
the brilliant escort of Life Guards
whose bands kept constantly playing,
the public was rewarded for its long,
cold wait by spectacle of considerable
interest, though, so far as unrestrained
public enthusiasm was concerned, it
was nothing to what occurred earlier in
the day when the Guards reinforce
ments left their barracks en- route to
South Africa. The Guardsmen tramp
ed through the dark streets of the me-
tropolis at o'clock in the morning, ac-
companied by an uproarious mob of
civilian friends. singing songs to the
accompaniment of the band. The songs
and music, however, did not drown the
crying of women, who chung to the
necks and arms of almost every man
of the contingent.
On alighting at the Royal entrance of
the Houses of Parliament beneath the
Victoria tower, King Edward and
Queen Alexandra were met by the high
officers of state and were conducted to
the robing rooms. Having assumed
their gorgeous robes the procession was
formed and preceded by the Duke Of
Devonshire, lord president of the coun-
Gil, bearing the imperial crown, and the
heralds and pursuivants, they entered
the House of Peers aimd a fanfare of
trumpets.
The scene in the gilded chamber was
very brilliant. State officers, ambassa-
doris and ministers. in handsome uni
forms and peers and peeresses in va
rious colored robes, filled every nook.
The King. beneath his robes, wore a
field marshars uniform. The Queens
dress was Of black velvet, surmounted
by a robe trimmed with ermine. The
peeresses all wore ostrich feathers in
their hair and were richly clad in even
ing robes of the most various colors,
white satin, however, predominating.
The display of jews was unusually
dazzling.
The only departure from the ex-
tremely decorous proceedings occurred
when, the King referred to the human
ity of the British troops in South Afri-
ca. This led to an unprecedented scene
in the House of Lords. Peers and
peeresses and high officers of state
broke out into prolonged cheer, which
was repeated again and again, to the
evident satisfaction of His Majesty but
to the apparent dismay of the officials
of the House, whose signalled depreca-
tions of this departure from ancient
traditions were utterly unable to stop
the outbursts Of enthusiasm.
There was only meagre attendance
Of members when the House of Com
mons met, this afternoon, to commence
the work of the session. Irish affairs
cropped up almost Immediately, Earl
Percy, Conservative member OF the
south division of Kensington. moving
resolution to the effect that the election
from Galway Of Col. Arthur Lynch,
who was commonly and notoriously re-
Ported to have aided the Kings enc
mics, was an insult to the House and
| committee should be appointed to con-
slider the course to pursue.
The Speaker, William Court Gully,
| declined to accept the motion until 20
| tice Of it was given in the usual vi
Mr.. MacNeiIl, Irish Nationalist mep-
Der for South Donegal. created ne
learliest scene by deploring the fact TIL