The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-06-22

choir stalls were other tiers of seats
and altogether nearly seven thousand
people were congregated as closely to-
gether as they could be packed
Among them the only unofficial
Americans were Charles F. Taft,
brother of the president, with Mrs.
Taft and Miss Taft, J. Pierpont Nor
gan and eight newspaper correspond
ents- Mrs. Taft wore u white satin
gown embroidered in brilliants and
her jewels were pearls ard diamonds.
Miss Taft's gown was Of white tu1le
embroidered in pink with crystal
beads. She wore a pearl necklace.
Above the choir screen was an or
ehestral platform, where there was an
orchestra of eighty musicians and sew
eral hundred male singers selected
from the principal choirs of the king
dom.
The center of all interest was the
area between the choir and transepts,
which is called the theater. Five broad
steps led up to it. It was covered
with a carpet of rich blue on which
was embroidered the emblem of the
Order of the Garter ard other her
aldic designs. There were the two
thrones for the king and queen, COW
cred with crimson velve- and silk and
before them marvellous oriental rugs
500 years old. On the south side, be-
fore the peers were chairs for the
young Prince of Wales and the Duke
of Connaught.
In front of the thrones and facing
the altar was the historic King Ed
wards chair, with the stone of destiny
set in its frame, on which British SOW
ereigns succ cessive1y have sat for near
ly q thousand years.
In Velvet and Ermine.
Peers in their purple velvet robes
and ermine mantles, carrying their
coronets had hours previously escort
oA in, in, dTozS and
superb trains borne by pages wearing
diamonds and with feathers in their
hair There were ambassadors and
ministers in full regalia. law lords IN
wigs ard wearing robes thick1y laden
with gold, judges in scarlet and mem
bers of the house of commons, all IN
court dress or uniform
The wait for the arrival of the pro
cession was more or less tedious. IT
$3.50 O'Clock the entry of the impress
sive procession of clergy composing
the chapter of Westminster Abbey put
a sudden stop to the sonorous hum of
conversation and inaugurated the ser
vice of the day. The crowns and re-
gala were lifted from the altar and
conveyed on cushions and in great
state down the aisles to the roblug
room, the choir meantime chanting
/ "Oh Lord. Our Help in Ages PAST =
/ The chimes in the tower peeled loud
/ accompaniment. Upon the. arrival at
!
ed over to the hereditary bearers who
awaited their majesties.
All eyes were turned to the east
door in anticipation of the arrival of
the procession. Scattered through the
vast audience were many nurses in
simple costumes prepared to lend first
/ aid if their services were required
The whole complicated arrange
ment for seating from 1000 to 5000
! persons was carried out smoothly and
with the best of order
Morgan in Knee Rreeches.
The arrival of further guests at
tracted constant attention. When ]
Pferpont Morgan entered many whis-
pered his name and watched him with
interest as he shook hands with sev-
eral ladies in the diplomatic circle be-
fore proceeding to his seat He was
| accorded. decidedly good reception
as were Mr.. and Mrs. Taft and Miss
Taft. The Americans occupied pTomi-
nent places in the second row of the
diplomatic gallery Mr.. Morgan wore
a court uniform of black velvet. knee
breeches and silver buttons and {
sword Mr.. Taft had the same COS
tune except that he wore white
vest.
Ambassador Reid and Mrs. Reid had
excellent seats on the floor of the