Fort Mill times. [volume] (Fort Mill, S.C.) 1892-current, 1902-01-22
OPENING OF PARLIAMENT
King coward Rea]s His Speech in
The House of l5rds.
ROYALTY IN BRILLIANT ARRAY
Eeaest milling OF The Lords and Commons
tho Occasion o: show OF Jewels, Er-
nins and Gay Dresses-r1umnn.ty or
tho British Troops Warmly Com
m. .ndcd by the King.

tho British Troops Warmly Com
ended by the King.
London..-KinS Edward opened Par
lament with ceremonial in all essen
tial respects similar to that OF Febru-
ary last. The procession to the House
OF Lords was o. thc same character
rs that witnessed on the occasion o.
the opening o. the first Parliament
of King Edwards reign, while within
the Upper House were seen the same
State pagcantTy, the same historic
dresses and the same revival OF ancient
forms.
After robinG. King Edward md
Queen Alexandra entered the House
of Peers ana occupied their thrones.
beneath n canopy, with tho Prince and
Princess OF Wales on either side OF
them The oincr members OF the
royal family wore seated on chairs
ut the foot o. the Steps leading to the
throne.
The Gentlemen Ushc: Of TIE Black
Rod. General Si:' Michael Biddulph.
having summoned the Speaker and the
members CT inc House Ot Commons.
throne.
The speech Was not m important ut
terance. 1t oponcd with reference to
the tour of thc p.ince and Princess OF
Wales.
"They were everywhere" said the
King. received with demonstrations
OF the livel.eSt affections, and / an
convinced their presence scvved TO
rivet more closely the bonds OF mutual
regard and loyalty by which the visor
OF the empire is maintained.
Il regret" said His Majesty, that
the war in South Africa is not yet
ended, though the course OF the opera
tions has been favorable tn our arms,
che area OF war largely reduced and in
dustrics are being resumed in my new
colonies. The necessity OF reiieviE.
those or my troops who have most felt
the strain OF war has afforded me thc
opportunity of again availing mvsclf
OF the loyal ard patriotic offers OF my
colonies, and further contingents soon
will reach South Africa from the DC
minion OF Canada. the Commonwealth
OF Australia ard New Zealand"
Then came thc following clause:
Il have Concluded with ;hc Pfesidcnt
OF the United States 4 treaty. the pro
visions OF which VIII facilitate th'
construction OF an ;nte:0ccanic canal
under guarantees that It's ncutraUt!
will he maintained and that it viii ht
open to the commerce ana shipping O.
all nations"
The scene IN the cildcd chamber wa
brilliant State officers. ANITA ssaGo:
and Ministers. in handsome uniforms
and Peers and Progresses, in var.
colored robes, filed every nook.
The King. beneath his robe. Wore
Field Marshals uniform. Tho Queen
dress was cf blacl. velvet suymcuntc
by robe, trimmed With crmine. TIL
Pceresses all wore ostrich feathers (
their hair and were clad richly j
evening robes OF the most varied co
ors, white satin. however, p:edomina
ing. The display OF jewels was unu:
ually dazzling.
The only departure from the @,
tremely dec0rOus character OF the pr,
ceedings occurred when the King +,
ferrcd to the humanity OF the BriilS
troops In South Africa, when Peers m
Peeresses cheersd heartily. to the ey
dent satisfaction OF His Majesty.