Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1911-06-23


SCENES IN wEaTMIEsTE ABBEY
DistinE uinhed Company from All Ma
tiona witnesses Ceremony.
LONDON, June 2z.-westminster Abbey,
the lode star of ell today's ceremonial,
was ready and waiting the arrivals Of
their majesues by the time that the i'm
perial procession left Buckingham palace.
Nothing could be more impressive than the
customary aspect OF the interior of the
abbey but this was all transformed today.
Where usually is a gray and somewhat
gloomy atmosphere was a mass of blaz-
ing color
All the tombs and the floor of the great
building were concealed under immense
carpets and hangings Of deep blue and
amber. The color scheme was rich and
impressive while It afforded subdued
background to the marvellous mass Of
theatrically colored robes OF state and var
igated uniforms with flashing decorations.
The floor space in the transept was
wholly occupied by the white upholstered
chairs Of the peers and peeresses. those
OF the peers on the south side and the
peeresses on the north. Back of these
were immense stands In ascending tiers
filled with members OF the House OF Com
mons and their ladies', Many commoners
were uniformed and wore decorations
while the dresses OF the ladies were rich
and striking.
At each angle of the transept were smaller
stands for the accommodation of the for
eign and, colonial representatives and other
high personages. There were the heirs to
most of the thrones Of Europe, a crown
prince and princess of the German empire
Prince Henry the emperor's brother, ant
princess and duke OF. Aostag Prince Henry
of Netheriand; Yusuf lied Din, the heir tC
the Turkish throne with red fez on his
head; Prince Fushimi of JapRW with the
heroes Of the Russian war. Adpiral Togo
and General Nogi in full uniforms with
much gold lace and rows Of decorations oil
their breasts, the American official con
tingent Special Ambassador John Hay
Hammond with his aides. Admiral Vree
land and General Greeley, Ambassador
Reid with his staff, almost the only of
ficiais wearing plain clothes. and tn
Chinese Prince Tasi Chean, robed in gor
geous embroidered silks. There. too, wa
Manuel, the deposed, king of Portugal.
Few Unofficial Americans.
Above the choir stalls we're arranged tie
after tier of steats, the fronts OF the boxe
displaying the embroidered arms of tn
three kingdoms. Above the choir stall
were other tiers OF seats, and altogethe
nearly 1000 people, were congregated a
closely together as they could be packed
Among them the only unofficial American
were Charles p. Taft, the president
brother. with Mrs Taft and Miss Taft, ]
Pierpont Morgan and eight newspaper cor
respondents Mrs. Taft wore a white sati
gown embroidered in brilliants and he
Jewels were pearls and diamonds. Mis-
1aft's gown was OF white tulle embroidere
In pink with crystal beads. She wore
pearl necklace.
Above the choir screen was the orchestrs
platform, where was an orchestra OF eight
musicians and several hundred male sing
ers, selected from the principal choirs {
the kingdom.
The center Of all interest was the are
between the choir and transepts which
called the theater. Five broad steps IL
up to il. II was covered with a carpet
rich blue on which was embroidered n
emblem OF the Order OF the Garter an
other heraldic designs. There were Il
two thrones for the king and queen. COZ
cred with crimson velvet and silk, ar
before them marvellous oriental rugs, B
years old. On the south side before Il
peers were chairs for the young Prince
Wales and the Duke OF Connaught.
In front OF the thrones and facing Il
altar was the historic King Edwards chai
with the stone OF Destiny set in It's fran
on which British soverelgns successive
have sat for nearly l.0OO years.
Great Variety of Costumes.
Peers in their purple yelvet roOes al
ermlne nantes carrying their corone
in evening dress and suberb trains borne
pages. wearing diamonds and with feathe
In their hair. There we're ambassadors al
ministers In full regaiia, low lords in wi
and wearing robes thiekly laden with go
judges in scarlet and members of I
House OF Commons all in court dress
uniform.
The wait, for the arrival OF the proc,
sion was made less tedious by the music
the orchestra.
At $50 o'clock the entry OF the impr'
sive' profession OF clergy composing I
chapter OF Westminster abbey put 81
den stop to the sonorous hum OF convers
ton and inaugurated the services OF I
day. The crowns and regalia were lift
from the altar and conveyed on cushic
and in great state down the aisle TO
robing room. the choir meantime chant
"oh Lord our Help in Ages Past"
chimes In the tower peeled a loud acco
paninient. Upon the arrival at the robi
room the regaliA was handed TO the here
tary bearers who awaited their majestic,
All eyes were turned to the west door
anticipation Of the arrival OF the proc
sions. Scattered through the vast au
snes were many nurses in simple costun
prepared 10 lend first aid II their servi
were required ..-t
The whole complicated arrangements