Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1902-01-15
PARLIAMENT TO MEET.

PARLIAMENT TO MEET.
Parliament is to assemble tomorrow.
The King IN person will open the see.
sion with q speech from the throne.
This has been the practice Of E0glish
monarchs for many centuries. 10 the
closing days OF the reign OF William
Nv, when he was on bad terms with
bis whig ministers, he declined to
open Parliament 10 1887, but with this
single exception no King has ever
stayed away except on account OF come
personal iDfrmity of bis own. TDe
grief that darkened the later portion
Of Queen Victoris's long reign COM
biDed with the intrmities OF advancing
ye g to frequently prevent her pres
ence, and she opened Parliament in
person for the last time 10 lSS6-l5
years before her death.
In the absence of the Sovereign,
the royal speech is delivered by the
mouth OF the Lord Chancellor IS the
chief of the commissioners appointed to
represent the Crown.
Dear to the heart of the couser-
vative Brton are the antiquated
practices to be followed and the
forms and ceremonies to be gone
through with before Parliament can
enter upon the business of the session.
And 80 Immediately before the assemb
ling of Parliament a careful search is
always made through the vaults OF the
Parliament building, today as 800
years ago, when it was first ordered,
and in muca the same manner, for h
possible Guy Fswkes. When the Kiog
attends Parliament to read the speech
from the throne In person, most
elaborate ceremony Ia observed. The
roysl progress to the Parliament build
ing is made in state coach through
lines OF troops, behind which are messed
the people of London-the whole peo-
pie OF London, 1t would seem, from the
vast crowds that always gather when
roy atty is out in state.
The House of Lords is filed with
the members OF the royal family,
the peers OF the realm, the LADY
peeresses, the dignitsries Of the
church, the Ambassadors and rep
resentatives from foreign Govern.
ments, the high officers OF State and
other distinguished functionaries aud at.
tendants, all gorgeously arrayed. The
scene is a most brilliant one. The peers
wear their scarlet robes, trimmed with
ermipe and white fur; the lady peer
esses' exquisite toilettes, though at the
last opening, because ofthe recent death
of the @ leen, they were 10 deepest
mourning Qow-cut bodices and flowing
gowns OF dull black materials, embroid-
cred with black Jet, black gloves end
black ostrich featbers), the church offi-
cisls Ia this scarlet and white robes,
with q large cape OF ermine over the
shoulders; the ambassadors and foreign
representatives in their rich uniforms,
and the officers OF State in their robes
of dignity.
Upon the arrival of their Majesties
the doors to the right OF the throne are
opened and the vast assemblage on the
floor and in the galleries rise. Outside
across the wide sDte-room, extends q
line OF gentlemen-st-srms, in plumed
helmets, scarlet and gold uniforms and
long white gsuutlets.
The procession that now enters the
chamber is headed by four pursuivanIs,
attired in tabards, as they are called,
embroidered back and front 10 gold
and crimson, with royal arms. Fol-
lowing them come herslds, two by two,
again in tabsrts, but of richer material ,
ell bowling low, then passing on and
ranging up in the open space on the
left of the throne. Next comes equer-
resin. waiting, gentlemen ushers aud
grooms-iu. waiting, in court costnmes,
next the officers OF the roysl household,
then the great officers Of the State,
proceeded by two sergeaots'at.arms,
carrying maces, and then tue royal
par y-f g., the Prime Minister, bear.
ing sloft the sword of state "a long,
heavy sword, shesthed 10 8 scabbard of
crimson velvet, with gold metal plates),
next the Lord President OF the Council,
holding in his two hands o cushion Of
crimson velvet, with gold edgiDgs, up
on whioh rests the imperial crown, ils
circles and arches OF gold, lncrnsted
with diamonds and pearle, surmounted
| oy kAObO uhN OAOoCf NNR W
velvet; next, the Premier Marquis,
carrying the cap OF msintenence on
the top OF short white stat,
for the crown and the cap are not to be
touched by any hands but the hands Of
the Sovereign (he cap quaint, low
crowned chspesu Of crimson velvet,
with high peak in front and its turn.
ed up brim lined with ermine); and then
the King and Qleen, the long trains oI
their State robes held by pages OF honor
in SC cIrlet.
The Kings robe is a wide flowing
mantle OF silk velvet of deep crimson
color. almost.spproaching purple, edged
with rich gold and ermiue, and hanging
behind is a long deep cape Of ermine
dotted with lnuumerable spots of black
fur. The train OF deep crimson Is about
four yards long. The robe Of the Queer
is also of deep crimson velvet, edged
with ermine, but with only short train
Various members of the royal house
hold bring up the rear OF the procession
Their Msiesties having seated them
selves, Black Rod ia ordered to proceed
to the House of Commons and deliver
the Kings command that that honors
BILE House attend his Msissty imme
distely In the House of Peers. Thel