The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-08-09
The GROWING A MOST
BRILLIANT SPECTACLE
Scene Rarely Equaled in
History Of Pageants.

LIN AJA-N- aug. 81 he GGBE1 iASE4A.
the theater Of the pageant, remained
exactly as it was June % when the
King would have been crowned but for
the dramatic postponement. It was
much changed from the abbey remem-
beTed by tourists. but. after ell, its es-
sentiaI features remained. While most
Of the tombs and monuments. usually so
conspicuous a feature. were hidden by
tiers Of seats. the essential architectu-
raj features OF the interior remained the
same. The soft lights from the rose
windows added to the richness Of the
heavy draperies On either side of the
nave from the entrance we're slipping
tiers Of seats for specially invited
guests IN the choir stalls, ordinarily
occupied by white-robed singers. sat the
ambassadors from foreign countries.
The special missions which would have
been a feature of the earlier ceremony
were absent For the whole length Of
the nave and choir, galleries had been
erected between the arches Filled with
richly dressed people. they created =
decorative effect Of great beauty. The
stalls and galleries were hung with vel
vet cloth in dull soft coIors Of blue and
gold
Jewels Of Fabulous Value.
IN the very center Of the church was
a dais for the King and Queen Upon 4
was a very large throne chair for the
King and a smaller one for the Queen
To the right and left on either side CT
the dais were the peers and peeresses,
The peers occupied the north transept
in a wide ascending tier Of seats. They
we're all in crimson robes with ermine
capes and bareheaded. IN the opposite
trarsept were the peeresses in a similar
tier OF seats. They were ali dressed in
Iov-cut gowns Of richest fabrics and
displayed jewels of sparkling beauty
and fabulous value. Both peers and
peercsscs held their co-onets in their
hands 4 number Of the less important
titled people were absent. giving those
who remained ample room. certainly
more than the sixteen inches Cf space
originally allotted. IN galleries On eth
CT side over the heads OF the peers and
peeresses were members OF the House OF
Commons and their wives.
Here was most Of the real ability of
the country, but, not being decorative,
its posscssovs we're put so Tar away as
tc &c nearly invisible. The Commons
galleries were rather thinly filed No
Irish mem bers except Ulster UHiouists
appeared. and many English members
were away in the country
Famous Stone Of SCone-
Behind the dais was The altar place,
the floor Of which. like that of the dats.
was covered with blue Worcester car
pet. TIE altar Itself was covered with
5Ieh ecclesiastical hangirgs. and behind
the altar were crimson velvet curtains,
Lcycnd whose folds was the chapel OF
King Henry VII
Placed in front of the altar was d
heavy old oak chair. beneath the seat OF
which was the famous stone OF scone.
This stone according 20 an old legend.
Is the one on which Jacob laid his head
when lie dreamed the vision OF the gold
en- stairs. At any rate the Scottish
kings and later the English kings have
been crowned upon IL for thousand
years. and today EnEland's seventh Ed
ward was 10 take his seat over Il at the
formal beginning OF mis- reign. At its
left was . smaller chair for the crown
ing Of the Queen.
Though todaT not visible 10 tie eye.
the historic associations Of the abbey
we're ever present to the imagination
and gave TO so-ls Of the quaint features
Of the ceremony reason and reality