The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1910-05-30
WAIT 10
HOURS TO SEE BODY
Some Sidelights on Funeral Of Late
King Edward for Which Several
Millions Gathered.
ax ARTHUR <. o,aRlsN,

LONDON, May 30.-A magnificent
cortege accompanied King Edward to
Westminster hall. where he was to lie
In state. The flower OF the British
army walked In front OF the coffin. All
his relatives and half the royalties OF
Europe followed Millions OF people
lined the route. The archbishop Of
Canterbury conducted q solemn SER
vice In the hall. The members OF the
two houses of parliament and the hold
crs OF all the distinguished names In
England were present The service
ended and all filed out. King Edward
was left for his people TO take last
look.
The coffin rested on a raised cata-
falque draped in purple. Wrapped
around IL were the royal standard and
the union Jack intertwined. On top
lay the crown, the scepter and the orb
the emblems of monarchy. Day and
night the coffin was guarded by
solemn watchers. They we're compos-
ed OF members OF the corps OF gentle
men-at-arms, officers OF the First life
guards-the leading British cavalry
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF the guard, and
by Indian orderlies drawn from the
Ghurka regiments. Around the coffin
these watchers stood. resting on their
swords, and without the movement
OF . muscle.
For over ten hours people from all
parts of England-drawn up In a cue
several miles long-had been waiting
for the doors OF the hall to open. The
hour at last came around and they
filed In past the coffin, six abreast, at
the rate OF $4,000 an hour.
Westminster hall has seen many
strange. many impressive scenes.
From the time that VIM. Rufus COM
menced to build II right up to the
present day II has been almost an
embodiment of English history. On
the spot where lay the body OF King
Edward. VIM. Wallace, the hero OF
Scotland, was tried and condemned.
Lord STAFFORD and Charles l. both
went from the hall to their deaths.
Warren Hastings stood a seven-year
trial there and finally secured an &C
quittal. And right down to 40 years
ago. as the place for the holding of
the law courts, every important trial
In England took place there. For
centuries II was the scene of the
coronation Of England's kings. They
found 1t the most fitting place TO cele-
bIate their festivals and give their
banquets. But yet, throughout eight
centuries the hall has never seen a
sight so impressive as that OF the peo-
pie of England fling through I'd pay
their last homage to the king who had
captured their imagination and their
affections.
Thousands waited there all night.
The rain poured down In deluge.
but they paid no heed. Drenched and
cold. nearly all without anything to
eat. men and women waiting for day
light to appear. Many Of them cover.
ed their shoulders with newspapers
rs protection against the streaming
torrents Of rain. but it was of little
avail.
Despite all no one moved. In fact,
as the night went on the line jncreas-
ed more rapidly than ever. People in
carriages drove up and took their
places at the end OF the line. Trades
mems carts filled with men, women
and children followed them. Work
mems trains and tramways poured
out thousands into the streets.
The crowd was thoroughly cos
mopolitan. Jews and Gentiles, In
dams, Japanese and African natives,
Germans, Frenchmen and Italians-all
were equally anxious to see the last
of the dead king.
Clergymsn, business men, clerks,
soldiers and boy scouts rolled up as
IL became deylight. When the doors
opened at a. m. $4,000 persons were
waiting to pass in the doors.
Down the hall they passed until
they came to the Enclosure. Then the
gentlemen-at-afms and the yeomen OF
the guard, watching oyer the body,
took their eye. Then they saw in the
dim gray light the shell with huge
crucifx at its head and the royal in
sigma on top. Around stood the
huge candelabra used In the obsequies
of the duke of Wellington and Queen
Victoria.
When they realized that they were
at last In the presence of the dead
sovereign, men gave a military salute,
women In many cases made the sign
of the cross. The eyes OF all were
wet. Only moment were they given
In which to look. Then the surging
crowd behind bore them on. And thus,
for three days, the people OF Great
Britain passed by and saw the last
OF the king they almost worshiped.