THE LATE QUEEN.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 30, 5 February 1901, Page 4

THE LATE QUEEN.

THE FUNERAL CEREMONY.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright, London, Feb. S.

Statesmen, peers, foreign representatives, men of science, arts, and letters began to arrive at St. George’s Chapel at 11 o’clock. When the chapel was full the perfect harmony of color made a wonderful sight, The altar was dimly lighted, showing a wealth of foliage and plants. In front were the stalls, reserved for Knights of the Order of the Garter, which were occupied by the owners, all bearing insignia, with crape loopings. The stalls for the Sovereigns were curtained with purple velvet. On tiers of purple-covered seats erected in the aisles sat the Marquis of Salisbury, Lady Gwendolene Cecil, Sir H. Gully, Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir W. V. Harcourt, Lord Rosebery, Mr Chamberlam, the Duke of Devonshire, Sir H. Campbell-Bannerman, Mr A. J. Balfour, Air John Morley, Air N. C. Lecky, Lord Carrington, most of the members of the Alinistry, and Privy Councillors, in uniforms of gold and black. The Lord Mayor and Sheriffs wore their State robes. The Indian Prince Thakware Sahib, of Alaroi, resplendent in a rich dress of white satin, surmounted with a huge golden embroidered turban, was a notable figure. Lord Alvestone, Lord Chief Justice, appeared in robes of crimson, with ermine. Lord Halsbury, High Chancellor of State, wore a dress of black and gold. The Provost and Bailies of Edinburgh wore brilliant red cloaks, with ermine tippets, which lent color to the scene. Behind the military and Court representatives, the Ambassadors, Privy Councillors, and Agents-General, sat the ladies, in deep black, making a sombre background to the broad stretch of gold and crimson. The Queen Consort was seated on the right of the general congregation, near her Prince Edward, wearing a sailor suit, and looking bright and interesting. He was observed by all. The Archbishop of Canterbury, with the attendant chorister holding his robe, and accompanied by the Archbishop of York and Bishops of Winchester, Windsor, and clergy, proceeded from the western entrance to receive the coffin. The Bishop of Oxford, the Chancellor of the Order of the Garter, wore a gorgeous cardinal silk mantle. The Dean of Windsor, Registrar of the Order of the Garter, wore a long, dark, rich velvet mantle, with a belt. Behind the prelates the choir stretched in two lines, nearly up to the chancel screen. The tension overcame one chorister, who had to bo removed. Behind the choir stood the Yeomen of the Guard. The whole scene was a grand and memorable spectacle. On either side of the marble step's leading to the west door were numbers of wreaths of choicest flowers.

After the military, which headed the procession from Victoria street came thirty mounted. aides; then came the khaki-colored gun-carriage,.drawn by eight cream horses, bearing the coffin, covered with a handsome white silk pall, which was worked in ninety-eight hours by the Kensington school children from a needlework design by the Queen Consort and the Royal Princesses. Beside the pall were draperies, flags, and a cushion, on which was placed the Royal crown, orb, and sceptre. Behind the" coffin was borne the Royal Standard. Then came the King, riding a beautiful bay horse, and looking pale and careworn. He gazed straight ahead, only saluting a group of generals near St. James’s Palace. The Kaiser, on a handsome white charger, rode at the King’s right, though slightly behind. The Duke of Connaught in a general’s uniform was on the left. Then followed over forty Royalties on horspback, including the Kings of .Portugal and Greece, the Crown Princes of Roumania, Germany, Siam, Denmark, Sweden, Archduke Ferdinand of Austria, Grand Duke Alichael of Russia.

The princely escort furnished a brilliant display, the uniforms of all the Courts of Europe and Egypt being shown. Despite the cold, all rode uncloaked, and they presented a magnificent spectacle. Six carriages followed, bearing in the first the Queen Consort and three daughters, and the second Prince Leopold, Princess Louise, and Princess Beatrice. In the others were the Duchess of SaxeCoburg, Duchess of Connaught, Dukes of Albany and Cambridge, Lord Wolsoloy, Court officials and others. Every head was uncovered along the route as the coffin passed. The crowds were dumb, and the only sounds were tlie notes of the Funeral March and the distant booming of minute guns. It was a superbly impressive spectacle. The sea of upturned faces, with many weeping, the- long line of soldiers, with reversed arms and bowed heads, was strangely pathetic. The strains of Chopin’s march notified the appoach of the procession. There first entered three pursuivants, with golden tunics, then Earl Roberts and the King, who wore the ribbon of the Garter. Other Royal personages followed the coffin, which was placed on a purplecoloured catafalque at the foot of the altar steps, the clergy and choir preceding the mourners. The Gentlemon-at-Anns were placed near the catafalque, and the Knights of Windsor under the organ loft. Behind the latter were the Royal servants. The King stood at the head of the coffin, and the Lord Chamberlain, Earl Clarendon, at the foot. The Lord Steward, the Earl of Pembroke, was on the right of the King, and the Earl Marshal, Lord Norfolk, on his left. The ordinary burial service of the Church of England, enriched with the choicest mu§ie, was used. The service was intensely solemn. The Archbishop of Canterbury, standing near the foot of the coffin, read the prayer and pronounced the Benediction. The Bishop of AVmchester read the lesson. Between the reading of the two collects the choir sang with touching beauty. The Iving-at-Arms, Sir A. W. Woods, K.C.8., proclaimed the style and titles of the departed Queen. Sphor’s anthem 1 Blest are the Departed,’ was rendered, and the service concluded with Beethoven’s Alarcb. The immense congregation then quietly departed. The coffin was removed to the Albert Memorial Chapel and placed in front of a cenotaph of the Prince Consort, beside the monuments of the Duke of Clarence and the Duke of Albany. The coffin will be removed to Frogmore privately on Alonday. The King has conferred the Grand Cross of Victoria upon Vice-Admiral Sir John Fullerton, commander of the late Queen’s yacht, and has also decorated other naval officers concerned in the burial arrangements.

Alany scholars from Eton helped to guard the route from Windsor to St. George’s Chapel. In regard to splendour and dazzling brilliance, the final scene at the Royal Chapel was indescribable. The town of Windsor was elaborately draped. Everyone wore the deepest mourning. Countless wreaths arrived at the Castle and Deanery from foreign sovereigns and Presidents of Republics, every quarter of the United Kingdom, India, South Africa, and Canada, all bearing inscriptions of the deepest honour and love. They included one from the Commonwealth, one each from the separate States of Australia, another from the people of New Zealand, and one from the women of Auckland,

Innumerable societies and corporations throughout the Empire sent wreaths. One hundred Australian soldiers and colonists viewed the procession from Mr H. E. Hore’s mansion, Piccadilly. The firing of the minute-guns at Portsmouth on Friday was heard at the Crystal Palace. Twenty-six petty officers who fitted up the bier at Osborne House and the catafalque on board the yacht Alberta have received Victorian medals.