THE IMPERIAL INSTITUTE.

Press, Volume L, Issue 8481, 12 May 1893, Page 5

THE IMPERIAL INSTITUTE.

THE OPENING CEREMONY. A MAGNIFICENT SPECTACLE. Pr»««ii»o«iattott—Kleotrla TelegMpb— Copyright London, May 10. The Imperial Institute was opened to-day. The weather was glorious, atd enormous crowds lined the entire route from the palace to the lustitute, which was guarded by the military. Fifty thousand people assembled within the building and preciaccs. Ail the leading Australians were present. The spectacle was a ruagniticent one, and the members of Che colonial artillery teams, who were acting as an escort to her Majesty, were loudly cheered. The Koyal Princes had a separate escort for their procession from their residences to the dais. The civic dignitaries of the chief cities and the Judges marched in procession. Excellent arrangements were made, and the services of 5000 poiice constables were engaged in regulating locomotion in the streets.

Tue procession in connection with the opening of the Imperial lustitute numbered 200,000. immeuee enthusiasm was snown, and the Queen, the Prince of Wales, the Duke of York, the Princess May, the Marquis of Salisbury, Lord Koberta, and the Right Hon. A. J. Balfour all met with a great reception. Over thirty royalties were present. The spectacle in the great hall of the building was a magnificent one. The Prince of Wales, as President) of the Institute, received the various processions, which were headed by the Princes, members of the households and House of Commons, Mayors, Judges and Oivil officials, her Majesty beiug at the head of the last procession.

Ail ike British royalties were present at the ceremony, aud the Canadian. Artillery portion and the Australian team and native Indians acted as their escorts. Four Indian princes were present, attired in striking costumes, as were their suites. The majority of those ia close proximity to the dais were dressed in uniform or Court dress, while the large assemblage of ladies were dressed in the height of fashiou. The Foreign Ambassadors, Ministers of State, and the colonial Agents-General were present in numbers. The Lord Chief Justice of England headed the Judges' procession. The royal carriages with heralds preceded the royal procession, the National Anthem being played by the band. The Queen, who took her seat on Prince Aliujebsing's golden throne, turned a key and set the bells in the tower ringing. This was the

signal for firing guns in the Park, aud there was immense enthusiasm displayed by the crowd, cheer after cheer rending the air. Madame Aibani sang the National Anthem, and the Archbishop of Canterbury pronounced the benediction. The iioyal procession retired after the opening ceremony to the march of Meyerbeer's "Prophet Queen."

A medal to commemorate the opening of the Imperial Inscitute has been struck. It is to be made of Viotorian gold.

The members of the Colonial Artillery and Cavalry teams at present in Eugland were informed during the night that the Queen had commanded inspection at 10.30 next morning. Much difficulty was experienced in complying with the order. The Duke of Connaught and mauy Court officials were present upstairs and in the corridor of Buckingham Palace. The officers wera introduced to her Majesty, who expressed delight ac the visit of the teams to England. She then walked up and down the ranks closely iuspecting each man. During the inspection her Majesty constantly repeated her pleasure at seeing the splendid physique, fine appearance and handsome uniforms of the men. The teams were then paraded in service marching order, and were photographed at the request of the Queen. At the opening ceremony the Queen said the establishment of the Institute was a symbol of the unity of the Empire, aud would be the means of effecting a closer bond with the colonies. May 11. The Times, commenting on the opening of the Imperial Institute, says the striking display afforded by the ceremonial shows that no section of politicians can afford to be indifferent to their duty to maintain the unity of the Empire. Melbourne, May 11. The Premier has cabled to the Queen, congratulating her upon the opening of the Imperial Institute.