Year: 1876

PEOPLE APATHEIC But Observation-Disclosures


SCENE AT THE HOUSE on LoRDs-THE FORMAL


OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.


iFRoM OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF TIE TRIBuNEl
LONDON Feb. o.-The opening of Parliament by
Her Majesty in person ia such event that the
announcement made week or two ago that she ILL
tended to honor Westminster with her presence this
year was quite pleasant surprise, and much specu-
lation was indulged in to what would DO the
nature of her reception. Since lS7l-the last time
she opened Parament-until yesterday she had
only appeared twice in public-on the occasion of
the thanksgiving for the recovery of tho Prince OF
Wales and when the Duke and Duchess of Edin-
burgh entered London after their marriage for
ten years before 1871 she almost equally chary
of looking upon and being looked at by her loving
subjects.


The morning was cold and eheerless enough.
Queens weather had evidently deserted its loyalty
whatever the people might have DONE The sky
presented that peculiar leaden color which s only
seen to perfection in England, and combination OF
bleak winds and falling sleet and snow made II an
act of herosm to stand for hours many people
did. waiting to see the show. But, weather not
witbstanding the crowd gathered thick and early,
for there is no sghtseer like your genuine Lor-
doner At length the long expected procession came
in sighta succession Of glitering carriages, driven
and fanked by fne-lOoking men decked g'rgeously
In crimson and gold. The people admired the fine
carriages, with their attendant pugsvans, heralds,
grooms in waiting, gold stick and silver stick, and
all the other barbarous accidents of State process
sions. Bat it not in these that they
were interested, but in the Queen. Her
Majesty rode in a close State carriage, drawn
by eight cream-coorei horses, almost Gov
cred with gold and blue trappings. Accompanying
her were the Princess of Wales and Princess BEATRICE.
Her Majesty looked exceedingly well, and bore her
self with perfectly regal air as she acknowledged
the at least respectful demonstrations Of the crowd
She wore a black velvet robe under ermine and
miniature corouet of diamonds. The Princess OF
Wales too looked. really beautiful. and was perhaps
greeted more warmly than any other member oil the
Royal family. She dark robe bandei with
lace, and the Ribbon of the Garter conspicuous
on her breast OF the Princess Beatrice little could
be SEEM There was some cheering as the royal car
riage passed, bat it was very mild and splntiesS.
Here handkes CHEF was waved and there a hat
lifted but the great majority of the spectators stood
stodly still and made sign. OF hostile demonsir2-
ton there was absolutely none, and that was some
thing perhaps. But comparing Tuesday with some
well remembered days when the Queen appeared III
public few years ago. it was impossible no; to see
that she had secluded herself of the affections of
the people. She is still the Qneen, and as such was
saluted respectfully but nothing more In my juig-
nent the whole thing, as public demonstration, was
fiat failure, and l soc from Of the papers that
others arc Of the same opinion but The Iises
thinks differently. 1t says no reception coul"
have been more cordial and sincere" 1t speaks
of " the eager sight-seers. who for TIE pleasure
of greeting the sovereign for almoment. willingly
exposed Themselves 10 the rough elements for
hours" All this is very pleasant, and one wishes
H were trne; but l saw the procession and
heard the cheers, such thev were, and am
sorry have to say that The Times III it's anxiety to
be complimentary and loyal TO Her M-josty. las not
been quite loyal to its readers. The o1ly place
where there was anything like hearty and
spontaneous cheering at Poets Corner,
where the Westminster schoOlbcyS stationed,
and their youthful voices rang ont enthusiastically


One other point, and only, deserves notice
before the House of Lords reached. The Duchess
of dinburgh is imperial well as royal, and her
English kindred royal only. Some question OF
her precedcnce had been raised, and many people
were curiouS to know what place she would have
In the procession. She was not near tho royal
carriage bat rode humby in front Of the procession
like satellite by the side Of tine Duchess of Teck,
and so the question of the precedence of the
daughter Of all the Rus;ias is finally settled.


The competition for cards of admission to the
House of Lords was exceedingly keen and probably
there has never been curiosity cvinccd to wit
ness the opering of Parliament by her Maiesty III
person than yesterday BY about noon Pecrtsses the
daug e.s Of Peers and other ladies of lesser degree
began to arrive at Westminster armed with tie
muc rized document until the gathering became
SO large that the officials of the House were puzzled
what do with it, and in the end they had To ell
croach upon the narrow limits Of the Press gallery
When the Peers began 10 arrive in their crimson aud
ermine robes and the Judges in their state robes OF
scarlet and erniine, aud the Bishops with thelr
sleeves OF whitcs lawn, the picture became one on
which the eye rested with pleasure, for however
often one may have seen the historic pageant. OF
whatever one may think of the anomalies of state
robes On masculine forms, finds much to admire
IA a spectacle so replete with elements of the pic
tnresaue. The ambassadors ard foreign ministers
formed fine contrast to the episcopal bench part
of which had been devoted 80 them, while mmed
ately behind were the secretaries of embasscs AID
legations The galleries and part of the floor of the
House We're filed by splenddly attircd and below
eled peeresses and ladies' whose radiant toilets
formed a principal item in the spectacle. For more
than an hour the House left in subdued
light and then the gas was turned on full with
quite a theatrical effect, displaying one magnificent
blaze of diamonds and splendid dresses, and uni
forms and robes Although the chief eenters OF III
tcrest were still absent, il like the sudden light
ing up of transformation scene and ali audible
murmur of satisfaction round the place. In a
few minutes the head Of the Royal procession made
its appearance. First came the pursuivants, who
bowed lowly to the royal occupants OF tho wool
sacks and these were followed by the heralds, with
their emblazoned tabards who formed All arc 70 the
left of the throne The bearer of the sword OF state
preceded the Earl Marshal and the Deputy Lord