The daily morning journal and courier., 1902-03-15
KING EDWARD HOLDS COURT
SPECTACLE SPOILED FOR THE
 PUBLIC BY HEAVY RAIN.
Inside the Palace, However, Nothing SO Brilliant Has Been Seen Since the Early Days of Queen VtctOrls's Reign King Looks in the Best of Health Striking Beauties Present.

l
 London, March 14.-The beautiful 1 spring weather of the past few days changed this afternoon to heavy downpour, which continued throughout 1 the evening, and which quite spoiled, | cerned, the spectacle of the Kings court
 In spite of the blinding rain, which turned the roads to quagmires and hid the entrance of the palace in blurred
 mist, the constant stream of arriving carriages was watched by a large
 crowd. which cheered most Loyalty when their majesties, in state coach and escorted by officers of the Life
 Guards, cattered along the Mall and
 passed into the palace, the guard of
 honor giving the royal salute and the
 grenadiers' band, stationed in the court
 yard playing the national anthem,
 Their majesties were lowing all along the route, but in common with the oc- cupants of the other carriages, they
 could scarcely be recognized through
 the rain.
 Once inside the palace, the contrast
 was most striking Nothing so bril- liant has been seen since the early days of the reign of the late Queen Victoria. The blaze of new electric lights, the scent Of flowers heaped along the cor riders, the glitter of ladies jewels and
 dresses and the court uniforms made nI
 King Edwards private band played in d gallery of the ball room, where the court was held Their majesties stood a one end of the room an few paces In front of the royal circle. which !n cluded the Prince and Princess of Wales, while further back were ranged other royal personages.
 The breast of King Edward was blaz- ing with orders and stars, and he look ed to be in the best of health and spir- It's. Queen Alexandra wore golden yellow dress, embroidered with frizes. Rows of pearls hung from her neck, and she wore a dainty diamond crown. The queen stood throughout the fatiguing ceremony, graciously smiling. The Princess of Wales, was attired in white and silver and the other princesses were robed in white.
 On one side of their majesties stood brilliant group of ambassadors and diplomats and ladies displaying gor geous dresses and jewels: on the other side stood the members of the royal household. King Edward received the guests accordance to precedence and af- rewards moved freely among the bril- liant company. An informal Supper was served after the reception and the court continued until midnight.
 Among the striking beauties present were Lady Cythia Graham and Wis countess Castlereagh. Lady Arthur Butler (nee Stager daughter of General 1 Anton Staeer of the United States ar my) was also notlceably pretty With ! the exception of those presented, there !. were few young girls present, Lady Strathcona presented Miss Twining of ! Canada
 The newly decorated dining room which is most beautiful, was opened for | the first time this evening A horse shoe table was laden with gold plate | and pyramids of flowers and fruit. All f the arrangements were most successful. f
 The diplomatic circle included Joseph | H. Choate, the American ambassador, | and Mrs. Choate, Henry White, secre- tary of the American embassy at Lon lon, and Mrs. White, John R. Carter, second secretary of the American em oassy, William Corcoran Eustis, third secretary os the embassy, and Mrs. Eustjs, and Commander Richardson Clover the naval attache. Among the American presentations were MT. and Mrs Paddleford.
 Altogether nine hundred and fifty in- yitations were issued, but large num- per of those invited did not attend the 'ourt.
 Mrs. ChOate wore a Worth dress of pink satin with train of black velvet trimmed with pink roses.