KING AND PEOPLE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 9188, 13 April 1910, Page 7

KING AND PEOPLE.

OPENING THE NEW PARLIA-

MENT IN STATE

A LONDON CROWD

„ LONDON, Feb. 25. All roads led to Westminster on

Monday, and by the gates of the House of Commons, at the state opening of the new Parliament, I had an excellent opportunity of studying the characteristics of a typical London crowd.

A colonial and a London crowd differ much in nature. The former is exuberant, impatient; the latter, while probably feeling as deeply the importance of is inclined to be a little blase and critical, yet will wait f<>r hours with amazing patience and almost in silence. Then it will take of its hat, perhaps wave a handkerchief, give a somewhat dull cheer here and there, and go home well satisfied that once again England lias comported herself with the solemn dignity that the crowd undoubtedly expects.

On Monday afternoon I found a police pass something of value, with its magic direction, "Pass on the line of route on the occasion of the opening of Parliament by his Majesty the King," for otherwise I should probably never have gained view of anything but the navy blue shoulders of the constable in front. 8000 POLICE ON GUARD. Eight thousand police were on duty round about Westminster, and in order to reserve a perfectly clear space for the Royal procession, double rows of policemen, reinforced by men of the Coldstream Guards standing not more than six feet apart, blocked the way. Traffic was suspended entirely for a couple of hours round about the, Houses of Parliament, and telegraph boys and postmen were the only beings privileged to break through the sturdy guards without his escort of a police officer.

■ The mounted band of the Cold | stream Guards—all in vivid crimsoi ; cloaks, rode up in orderly lines, too] ' its place in Bridge street—a corne: ; street within the sacred area—ant , played at intervals, with a fine blan "God Save the King" as varioui Royal equipages dashed past. "See us wen we 'ave that toon Jack—there's no 'olding us!" a work man standing near me whispered loud ly to his mate. Then all pressed for ward again to watch the processioi of vehicles. Elaborately comparisonec horses and carriages, hired taxi-cabs hansoms, and plain carriages rolled oi whizzed by carrying brilliantly uni formed ambassadors, scarlet cloakec judges, scarlet and ermine clac bishops, soldiers with rows of medal: and orders on their breasts, beautiful peeresses in beautiful dresses and witl: jewelled coronets beneath white plumes and veils. Lord Roberts in brilliant scarlet uniform with a white plumed cocked hat and rows of medals that tell their story, passed in a motor car, a few Dukes, Royal carriages containing little pages in scarlet doublets and white satin knee breeches drove by, Mr Lloyd-George, Mr Ramsay Macdonald, and other well-known politicians walked quietly through one of the side gates to take their places among the "faithful Commons" to be later summoned to the Lords by Black Rod. HOSTS OF PIGEONS. In the intervals when the Coldstream Guards were allowed to ' 'Stand at Ease!" hosts of grey pigeons qr:etly strutted about the road oblivious of the pomp and circumstance of the occasion, and only flying out of tLe way when carriages or horsas were almost upon them. Outriders were seen, then a guard of honour, and then the Prince and Princess of Wales drove past, bowing as th'jy went. The horses in their carriages had cropped manes, and on their necks great fringes of' crimson chenille and crimson trappings. The Princess was wearing a beautiful dress of white satin embroidered with diamonds, and on her head a long white veil and coronet. The Prince was in his robes as a Peer <A Parliament. Another short interval. The Lcid Chancellor passed in a great gilded coach with footmen and coactnuun ;n striking liveries of scarlet and geld, then' another carriage with seivants in bright blue and yellow satin lneries, another with footmen ali in rrustard yell6w. Big Ben pealed the hour of two. The bells of St. Margaret's rang gay chimes that signified the departure of the King 4 from Buckingham Palace. The regimental bands fidgeted a little, getting ready for the final blare, the crowds stood in silent excitement. Sharp orders rang out from the officers of the Coldstream Guards, "Attention!" "Shoulder Arms!" A detachment of the Royal Life Guards, their polished cuirasses glittering in the sun, clattered by. My policemen friends whispered "Now!" to me— THE KING AND QUEEN. "Royal Salute!" cut through the silence, the Coldstream cornets blew "God Save the King," outriders m Buckingham Palace liveries were seen controlling eight cream horses that pranced beneath gorgeous trappings, gallant yeomen formed the Royal bodyguard, Life Guards rode alongside the fine old stage coach with its wonderful paintings and it great gilded figures rolled slowly by and within —the King and Queen. The Queen was in a gown of black velvet embroidered with gold and silver, the sparkling insignia of.several Orders and the famous Cullinan diamond on her breast, ropes of pearls hanging from her neck, and surmounting a delicate white veil a small diamond crown ; over it all a rich crimson velvet robe edged with gold lace and a mantle of powdered ermine. The King wore a Field Marshal's uniform and, as the state coach is very high, both he and the Queen were visible to everyone as they smiled and bowed acknowledging the salutes of the crowds. A little fellow in knickerbockers ecstatically informed a huge man "She smiled at me!" a few more yeomen walked by, another detachment of the Royal Life Guards, ' God Save the King" was taken up by the next band on the route, and another state opening of Parliament, as seen in London streets, was numbered with the past.