LADIES’ TOPICS

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1510, 7 February 1901, Page 28

LADIES’ TOPICS

(BY “ERIE.”)

The gathering at the Parliamentary gronmisi on Saturday was such a- marvellous scene that it will never be forgotten. All the elements of- solemnity and. sorrow were present. The Parliament Houses were heavily draped with Royal mourning (purple and black', the deep tolling of muffled bells, all the people one saw, either in blaetc ca) - - ments, or studiously without colour in their clothes, and a curious quiet hush pervading, everything, ma ie up an experience as unique as it was impressive. It v. as the universal and spontaneous tribute of subje vs i.j a much revered and loved Queer, s uiomciy. By her constantly expressed sympathy, she came so near us and into our lives, that, we. have learnt to think of her quite as much as' an. ever thoughtfully kind friend, as we have obeyed and paid i.tr the <utnlost respect; and' .as 1 ur Sovereign Lady the Queen. j.i.. • * i. ' t* • *

Every inch of space in, or nrjuud the Buildings was filled with the largest concourse of people ever seen in W ellington, a marvellous sea of faces turned to the platforms where R-e unique stivioe^was held; His Excellency the Governdt and suite occupied tl «• centre of the top steps, with Hon.. J. G. Ward and •Ministers of the Crown and the Chief Justice on one side, and Si' Henry !».■ flier in his robes, Speaker of the Legislative Council, on, the oth.u\ ...Next came E.M.6. Milduxa’s officers -on one side and the Count de Courte and all the other consuls, in their beautiful ’.iivfo<mjs on. the other. In front stood Cel. Penton, Commandant of the N.Z. forces, Col.tPtorter, Major - Maddux, Col. 'Collins, iand many other i officers. • • ’«'■ '" * • * * *

Inside tie portico and irnrhediaifiy behifidy the Governor, chairs were provided for the ladies of the Premieres family, r Xad.y Stout, Countess tie Comte, -Cabinet;^Ministers' wives, and fJie wives of, the Mildura’s officers. Tre remainder ■of the. Portico was filled •' :t'.i the in embers of ; the University Victoria College and mother prominent citizens.

All the windows which looked out in

the . direction of, the steps . and .hint were lent by the 'heads •of the departriients who. occupy them, an 1 were filled; by ladies in deep nioarc’rig.

: -r Yh©' ; music of the (bV'inni Bandwaßthe theme ofuniversal i ra'se. ,] ;It isjseldom ; they,haye an o ..-•asion when they can really show how finished and perfect .their playing is to su. h am tuber •of people oompetent ,to judge it. Bandmaster Herd and the mem lers ::»f the Garrison Band would have been much

pleased and gratified if th- yf luid lav e heard the numberless - eulogiuims thexr .soft-, touching performance cal.’ed iorthThe subdued and modula;ed cadeu-r-, so even and clear, harrgoiused wflh th - * feelings of that dense mass *<i mouri mg subjects.

The bared heads and bowed figures of so many thousands wdo si oic. ? everently and deeply moved, while the “Dead March” was so finely played, was a sight that will remain a recoiled iTon wlucli of itself will be a memorial to our ’ate much-lamented and level Queen. It is estimated that at least twenty-five thousand people were present at this magnificent function.

One of the novel features of this patriotic and official function was the platform on which all the clergy were assembled. There was the Light Lev ihe Bishop of Wellington, in his hands* me robes," the D.D. scarlet bond, giving a beautiful touch of colour t o Ihe restmerits. Next him sat Adjfc. Hatcrer, of the Salvation Army, in nis quie*. uniform with the big S u ins. fiioiflder. Next sat the Jewish Rabbi (Mr van Stavern) in most picturesque and hsrdsome brack .silk .ropes i o \\ ltli velvet. He wore a curiously trade tmek velvet hat with eight corners, and < v er his robes he wore a soft white sl’n 'ofllie,” which was a find of sba'l, the knotted fringe of which had a numerical signification, and *he • ui lilems consist ed of two Hebrew words signifying, “God is one.”

There were also present the Rev.. J. Patterson, who was wearing a beautiful gown ox rich black cordeci silk, and white bands. The Rev. G. 11. Mann, Rev. W. Oliver, Rev. C. Dallaston, and Mr Moore, of the Seaman’s Mission, Rev. H. Sprott (wearing his University cap and gown and Trinity College M.A. hood of purple silk), Rev. Bartlett, and Rev. Fortune (also wearing cap and gowns).

It was a most pleasing object-lesson for the multitude, to see how these men of diverse creeds are beliefs, had laid them aside, in order to take part in the great ceremonial which was to express their sorrow at the loss of the great Queen of whom they, one and all, were such loyal and devoted subjects. * & -* « *

The Battery, which had taken u.p a position on the Parliamentary tennis ground, fired a Royal salute. Later H.M.S. Mildura fired 101 guns, which was only finished just before dark, nnd so brought to a close a day which, will be long remembered.