LADIES’ TOPICS

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1509, 31 January 1901, Page 27

LADIES’ TOPICS

(BY “ERIE.”)

This has been a weak of national sorrow, and all social functions have laid m abeyance. At no time in our beloved Queen’s life had there ever been a greater and more universal burst of loyal feeling than when the sad news of her sudden illness became known. We ore and all felt that a dear, personal friend’s life was in danger, and we were anxious and fearful of the result of the illness. It was no mere doing “the correct thing/’ that out city abstained from ail gaiety, but it was because we felt no disposition for it while su.ch a sorrow was hanging over us. * "3C *

Now our great and good Queen has been taken from us, and our loss is so great that we fully realize the bereavement that has come to us. The real devotion of her subjects has been shewn in the touching tributes of mourning from all alike, high and low, young and especially the old have become as one family in our sincerest of mourning. No woman whom the world has ever known has exercised such a, widespread influence for good, for such a long period. It is therefore only natural that we loved her so well, and were so proud of being her subjects.

Our new King comes to us surrounded !>v all e close relations.. of being her affectionate son, and having the sweet traditions of his mother’s wise rule, and pure cdurt to sustain, and helped by the naueh-loved and! respected Queen Consort we may reasonably and certainly look forward to a continuance of all the goodness and wisdom which have made us the absolutely loyal nation that we are. Long live King Edward the Seventh!

The memorial services in all our churches on Sunday were practical evidences of the universal respect and esteem for our late sovereign by which we are all closely bound together.

Our Catholic friends draped their churches, and held special services, thereby identifying themselves with us as fellow subjects, and fellow mourners, for a Queen who was always broadminded "'and • impartial to all her subjects alike.

The State Function at St. Paul’s ProCathedral on Sunday afternoon was most impressive and grand. Such a representative gathering was unique and touching. It was a very hushed and sad congregation that assembled to the muffled chiming and tolling of the bells, and it needed not the universal black garments to’ remind us of the sadness of the occasion. * Social, political, and national, all the officers were there to pay the last tribute of respect to their late Queen. The Cathedral had been most artistically and elaborately decorated for the service. The sanctuary was hung with mourning. The aisles and floor had black coverings. The most beautiful object was a large pedestal draped with purple velvet, on which was placed, a large purple velvet cushion. On this cushion .was a beautiful scarlet velvet crown with tops and outlines of choice white flowers. The sanctuary arch had a purple bannerette with “Victoria” in white flowers and white crown underneath. On either side were draped a beautiful Union Jack and White Ensign. The pillars also had flags round them, and every window had crossed flags. The pulpit was deeply draped in •clack. with festoons of white flowers. It was only by the most methodical arrangements that the vestry could accommodate all the public functionaries who were present. His Excellency the Governor, accompanied by Ca,pt. Alexander and Hon. Hill Trevor, were met at the door bv the vestry. His Excellency wore his Privy Councillor’s dress, Capt. a m der Ixlß r °g im ental uniform. Hon. Hill Trevor was in velvet court dress. The consuls were all there in the uniforms beaded by the Count de Courte, Consul-General for France. Colonel Penton and the officers of the garrison were in full uniform. His Worship the Mayor and City Council, the Hons. V/ C. Walker, W. Hall-Jones, and C H. Miles represented the Ministry; ’Mr Fisher, Mr Atkinson and Mr J. Hutchison were the Members of Parliament: Judge Edwards represented the judicial boned.

The officers, marines, and seamen of the Mil-dura oame in in a large body 'pritb tb.eir steady tramp and’resolute faces, reminding us of their brothers of H.M.S. _ Terrible and what they did at Ladysmith. Nearly all the heads of departments and Under-Secretaries were there, and men of every degree and opinion ail united to join in this grand memorial service. There were many hundreds of loya.l subjects who had to go away, as the church was wholly inadequate to hold a tenth of those who wished to- be there.

The procession of choristers and clergy and dignataries was headed by a crosier bearer dressed in purple, and they adsoftlv 7 U ° th , e churoh singing very our heads are bowed with off r f • Prouse ' san S in his best and most effective manner “I am the Resurrection and the Life.- All the music was most beautifully played and sung, and appealed strongly to the feeiirurs of thuj great congregation. Tho Bishoo

gave an extremely touching address, after the “Bidding Prayer.” All stood reverently and sadly while Mr Parker played the ’’Dead March” with great delicacy and feeling.

It was a service that will long be remembered by all who were present, and made everyone realize that our Queen is gone from us, as if we had been attending the funeral.