The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-08-12


Crowds assembled there in immense
numbers and the first heavy cheer OF
the day went UP when the news was
cried that King Edward was in the best
of health and spirits and we'll equipped
to undergo the fatigues cf the day.
/ By $3.50 the scene in the vicinity of the
palace and the Mall was extremely an
imated. The roof Of these and those Of
all the surrounding buildings were
crowded with spectators and the con-
stantly arriving members OF the royal
family with their suite and the appear
ance Of the other participants In the
procession elected cheers varying in de-
gree of enthusiasm according to the
popularity Of the personages recognized
by the people. The Duke of Con-
naught, who rode down the Mall in the
auto, for the purpose Of seeing that the
military arrangements along the route
were complete was heartily cheered.
the vicinity of Westminster Abbey
where bands Of music stationed along
|, the building relieved the tedium of the
| early waiting, and soon after the doors
were opened state coaches, carriages
and automobiles ratified up in ceaseless
| line, the rich apparel of their occupants
eliciting hearty approval, which, how
ever, was surpassed by the reception ac-
corded to the men of the naval brigade
as they marched past at q swinging
pace to take up a favored position
guarding the route near the abbey. The
colonial premiers and the rrivy coun-
cillors were warmly welcomed, the
Figians, in petticoats We're tie centre of
much interest, and a ;ed Indian chief,
blanket, decorated with the customary
mirrors, caused the most liyaly amuse-
HSkk
AS the hour fol the departure of the
royal procession approached the excite
ment about Buckingham palace was
most marked. Punctual to time, the
advance guard OF the royal cavalcade
issued from the archway the horses
of the troopers curvetting nervously as
they faced the wall of the humanity
that cheered their coming. Shortly at
terwards came the prince and princess
of Wales procession, and finally, with
in a few minutes their majesties state
coach appeared at the gateway and the
king and queen smiled and bowed in
response to the mighty roar of cheers
that dwarfed all previous welcomes.
A scene IN the vicinity was remark
able. On the roof of the palace were
perched number of fashionably
dressed ladies, members of the house
hold, and their cheers, with the fiutter-
ing Of their handkerchiefs as the king
and queen entered the royal coach
gave the signal for the deafening plau-
dts of the populace which greeted their
majesties as they emerged from the
gates. The ovation was taken up by the
crowds which thronged the Mall ant
was repeatedly acknowledged by the
occupants of the state coach
The king looked pale and rather fine
, drawn and was by no means as brown
and robust as previous reports had lee
one to expect, and while punctilliously
bowling from side to side, he did 81
He seemed to sit rather far back in tn.
carriage and moved his body very lit
8 tie. His curious crimson robes and cal
gave him an unusual appearance. Tn
queen beside him, was radiant. Sh
never looked better. The cheers whicl
greeted the pair were loud and unmis
. takably genuine, and very differen
ha ;ol
usually greets the appearance of mem
bers Of the royal family.
d. The three professions to the Able,
were carried out according to pro
gramme and the only striking feature
!, Of the first two were the gorgeous stat
j., carriages and the beautiful trapping
and horses.
, The crowd paid but little attention
J. to the occupants of the vehicles. Il
the last carriage OF the first procession
: sat Prince Henry, of Prussia, on tn
= back seat, but he was so occupied wit
;, talking to the duke OF Sparta that h
:. seemed not to notice the crowd. TIL
>. prince Of Wales also seemed very in
:, different and stolid, but the princes
Of Wales bowed and smiled constantly
1t was not until the kings processio
came that there was any show of en-
-
thusiasm.
j. Lord Kitchener. Admiral Seymou
and General Gaselee, as they rode to
;, gether, Of course, came in for muc
= attention, but they all seemed to loo
y straight ahead and pay little attentio
A to the people along the route. Lor
% Kitchener, in the respIendent full dres
uniform OF general. also looked un