CORONATION WEEK.

Evening Star, Issue 14626, 24 July 1911, Page 3

CORONATION WEEK.

ROYAL BANOUET AND SHAKESPEARIAN BALL.

American papers just to hand contain interesting particulars of the Coronation festivities. The special correspondent of the San Francisco 'Chronicle' says:

The most regal banquet palace of king or emper-'.r ever witnessed, and a gorffnns Shakespearian hall, under tho auspices of noted society leadens, stand forth as Alining features of the second day of Coronation week.

The banquet in Buckingham Palace on June 20 was a scene- of Imperial grandeur, so far as the assemblage of Royal and eminr.nt personages and the setting of cnsilv magnificence and beautiful decorations could make it. The King and Queen entertained the visiting and Enijlish Royalties, all the special foreign delegations, the foreign ambassadors and ministers, the officers of state and the household, the numbers of the Cabinet and former Cabinet members, the heads of the Chuich and judiciary, and of the Army and Navy. The two largest apartments in the palace—-the ball room and tho picture gallery, which adjoin—wero utilised as ;i banqueting hall. On the tables was displayed the Royal gold plate, used only on historic occasions, tho cost of which is estimated at 15X00.OOCdol, and its weight 8 tons. This plate for the most part was obtained in the reign of the four Georges, and the principal piece is a massive peacock captured in one of tho Indian wars, whose tail is studded with diamonds. Cut glass worth a fortune, ivory decanters hundreds of years old, and old wines dating back more than a century were on the bo'ard. The gallery holds more than 800 pictures. The decorations in both rooms are largely gilt, and the. background was embellishod with banks of palms and giant lilies, while orchids, roses, and ferns wero stacked on the tables. Yeomen of the Guard ranged about the walls, and all ihe dineis" wore their richest uniforms, decorations, gowns, and jewels. The Shakespearian ball was held in Albert Hall, which was elaborately decorated. The dancers numbered thousands, while 400 boxes were occupied by the representatives of foreign nations and the most piominent officials. As many as 29 quadrides were danced simultaneously, the participants rep.e.-enting groups of characters from Shakespeare's plays. leading actors and actresses took part in these quadrilles along with tho loaders of the smart se*.