Sixty Years a Queen Part 43

Probably every officer had friends on the Club stands; the picture shows all heads turned that way.]

To quote again from Mr. G. W. Steevens, who witnessed the Procession from St. Paul's:--"The eye was filled with splendour, but fresh splendour came crowding in on it. The advancing pageant s.h.i.+fted and loosened and came up in opener order. But as the ma.s.s of colour became less ma.s.sive, it became more wonderfully coloured. Here, riding three and three, came a kaleidoscope of dazzling hors.e.m.e.n--equerries and aides-de-camp and attaches, amba.s.sadors and Princes, all the pomp of all the nations of the earth. Scarlet and gold, azure and gold, purple and gold, emerald and gold, white and gold--always a changing tumult of colours that seemed to list and gleam with a light of their own, and always blinding gold. It was enough. No eye could bear more gorgeousness; no more gorgeousness could be, unless princes are to clothe themselves in rainbows and the very sun. The prelude was played, and now the great moment was at hand. Already the carriages were rolling up full of the Queen's kindred, full of her children and children's children. But we hardly looked at them. Down there, through an avenue of eager faces, through a storm of white waving handkerchiefs, through roaring volleys of cheers, there was approaching a carriage drawn by eight cream-coloured horses. The roar surged up the street, keeping pace with the eight horses. The carriage pa.s.sed the barrier; it entered the churchyard; it wheeled left and then right; it drew up at the very steps of the Cathedral; we all leaped up; cheers broke into screams, and enthusiasm swelled to delirium; the sun, watery till now, shone out suddenly clear and dry, and there--and there--

"And there was a little, quiet, flushed old lady. All in black,[K] a silver streak under the black bonnet, a simple white sunshade, sitting quite still, with the corners of her mouth drawn tight, as if she were trying not to cry. But that old lady was the Queen, and you knew it. You didn't want to look at the glittering uniforms now, nor yet at the bright gowns and the young faces in the carriages, nor yet at the stately princes--though by now all these were ranged in a half circle round her. You couldn't look at anybody but the Queen. So very quiet, so very grave, so very punctual, so unmistakably and every inch a lady and a Queen. Almost pathetic, if you will, that small black figure in the middle of these s.h.i.+ning cavaliers, this great army, this roaring mult.i.tude; but also very glorious. When the other kings of the world drive abroad, the escort rides close in at the wheels of the carriage; the Queen drove through her people quite plain and open, with just one soldier at the kerbstone between her and them."

[Ill.u.s.tration: _From a Photograph_} {_by Symmons & Co., Chancery Lane._

THE ROYAL PROCESSION: THE "DEATH-OR-GLORY BOYS" (17th LANCERS) IN PALL MALL.]

But we must go back a little. At the Griffin, which marks the spot where Temple Bar once stood, the Lord Mayor (the Right Hon. Sir George Faudel-Phillips) had arrived about 10.15, bearing the City Sword of State. While waiting for the Queen the Lord Mayor was entertained, in accordance with ancient custom, at Childs' Bank.

[Ill.u.s.tration: _From a Photograph_} {_by A. H. Brunell._

THE CROWD WAITING FOR THE QUEEN AT LUDGATE CIRCUS.

Her Majesty was visibly moved at the sight of the immense concourse of people at this point; little Princess Eva of Battenberg on the contrary waved her hand in delighted acknowledgment of their cheers. In the foreground is the Lord Mayor, who headed the Procession from Temple Bar to the Mansion House.]

[Sidenote: The Queen's Reception at the City Boundary.]

"Just before mid-day," says a writer in the _Times_ of June 23, "a loud roar of cheering announced the approach of the Queen, and soon the State carriages drew up at the Griffin, where the Lord Mayor and his deputation, on foot, bareheaded, were awaiting Her Majesty. The interesting ceremony of the presentation of the sword did not occupy a minute. This handsome sword, in its pearl-covered scabbard, which has been presented by successive Lord Mayors at this very spot to many Sovereigns, from Queen Elizabeth's time to the present day, was handed to the Lord Mayor by the City Sword-bearer with a low obeisance. Sir George Faudel-Phillips held the hilt towards Her Majesty, who merely touched it, and ordered him to lead the way into the city. The Lord Mayor with considerable alacrity hurried to the spot south of the Griffin where he had left his horse, mounted it, and rode off eastward bareheaded, holding the sword aloft."

[Ill.u.s.tration: _From a Photograph_} {_by E. P. Robson, Old Broad Street._

HER MAJESTY'S RECEPTION AT THE CITY BOUNDARY.

Her Majesty, in her carriage, is seen on the right, with the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Cambridge (whose head is seen between those of the Scotch attendants) immediately behind. In the background are the officers of the Royal household and others. Just in front of the City Griffin the Lord Mayor is seen preparing to mount his horse, an operation in which the police and some officials exhibit an anxious interest.]

So the magnificent cortege pa.s.sed on up Fleet Street and Ludgate Hill to St. Paul's. At the steps of the west front of the great Cathedral was to take place that religious ceremony which was to be the central point in the great celebration. On either side of the portico was erected a huge stand, set apart for amba.s.sadors and other officials who had no place in the Procession. The right-hand stand facing Ludgate Hill was occupied by a splendid company of Indian Rajahs and other Oriental notabilities. On the steps themselves were 500 choristers, and bands. Soon after the Queen left Buckingham Palace the Archbishops and other officiating clergy took their stand upon the Cathedral steps. The Archbishops of York and Canterbury wore purple coronation copes, the Bishop of London a splendid new yellow cope, the Dean and Chapter copes of green, gold, and white, while the Bishop of Winchester, as Prelate of the Order of the Garter, wore the dark blue robes of that Order. The Marquis of Salisbury, the Right Hon. A. J. Balfour, and the Right Hon. Joseph Chamberlain were the most noticeable figures in the great a.s.semblage of distinguished laymen collected at this point.

[Ill.u.s.tration: _From a Photograph_} {_by F. Frith & Co._

LORD ROBERTS SUPERINTENDING THE ARRANGEMENTS IN ST. PAUL'S CHURCHYARD.

The two Sheriffs are seen in the immediate foreground, followed by the officers representing the Yeomanry, Militia, and Volunteers, and by Equerries, Gentlemen-in-Waiting, and Attaches. Lord Roberts stands in the centre of the open s.p.a.ce. On the right is the pavilion erected on the site of a demolished warehouse.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: _From a Photograph_} {_by T. C. Turner & Co., Barnsbury._

HER MAJESTY'S ARRIVAL IN ST. PAUL'S CHURCHYARD.

The photograph was taken from the front of the Cathedral, looking down Ludgate Hill, and shows the Princes and Representatives of Foreign Sovereigns in the foreground, some of whom are just taking up their positions within the enclosure. The carriages containing the Princesses are parked in the open s.p.a.ce beyond.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: _From a Photograph_} {_by Eyre & Spottiswoode._

THE CEREMONY AT ST. PAUL'S

The photograph was taken immediately after the conclusion of the Service, when Her Majesty (whose face is clearly seen) turned to receive the congratulations of the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Cambridge.

The latter is in the act of addressing the Queen; the Prince is close behind him. The Princess of Wales and Princess Christian are the other occupants of the carriage; the latter holds her fan to screen her face from the sun. The Archbishop of Canterbury (Dr. Temple) stands directly above the Queen.]

The religious ceremony was short. It commenced with the intonation of the Te Deum by the a.s.sembled choristers, and ended with the Benediction, p.r.o.nounced by the Archbishop of Canterbury. The Old Hundredth was then sung, followed by the National Anthem, the strains being taken up by the general public all round the Cathedral, and then the Archbishop, acting on a sudden and most happy impulse, called for three cheers for the Queen. It is not too much to say that Her Majesty has never been greeted with a more enthusiastic salvo from the throats of her people than she received on this occasion.

On the conclusion of this most impressive ceremony the Colonial contingent, who had hitherto led the Procession, and who had been stationed at the north side of the Cathedral meanwhile, fell into position behind the gallant Royal Irish Constabulary men and the squadron of Royal Horse Guards, who had until now formed the rear escort of the Royal Procession.

[Ill.u.s.tration: _From a Photograph_} {_by the London Stereoscopic Co._

THE ROYAL PROCESSION: EQUERRIES, GENTLEMEN-IN-WAITING, AND MILITARY ATTACHeS Pa.s.sING THE EASTERN END OF CHEAPSIDE.

The boys of Christ's Hospital ("Blue-Coat School") occupy the open s.p.a.ce between the Mansion House and the opposite corner of Queen Victoria Street.]

[Sidenote: At the Mansion House.]

At a quarter to one the Queen's carriage halted outside the Mansion House. The Lady Mayoress presented Her Majesty with an exquisite bouquet of orchids in a beautiful silver basket. "The Queen," says a writer in the _Times_, "was graciously pleased to accept the gift, and twice said to her Ladys.h.i.+p, 'I am too grateful,' at the same time extending her hand to the Lady Mayoress, who kissed it."

It is needless to trace the progress of the Empress-Queen through the districts inhabited by her poorer, but no less affectionate, people--from the City to London Bridge, in Southwark, in Lambeth, and on over Westminster Bridge. Everywhere her reception was the same--a magnificent outburst of love and devotion.

[Ill.u.s.tration: _G. F. Watts, R. A._} {_Photo by F. Hollyer._

THE MARQUIS OF SALISBURY, K.G.

Lord Robert Cecil, eldest surviving son of the second Marquis, was born at Hatfield in 1830, and educated at Eton and Christchurch, Oxford. M.P.

for Stamford, 1853-1868, when he succeeded to the Marquisate. Secretary of State for India, 1866-67, and 1874-78. Minister Plenipotentiary at the Constantinople Conference, 1876; Foreign Secretary, 1878-80. With Lord Beaconsfield he represented England at the Berlin Conference in 1878. Leader of the Conservative Party in the House of Peers since 1881; Premier 1885-86, 1886-1892, and since 1895.]

The stand that had been erected for the Members of Parliament at Westminster occupied almost the whole s.p.a.ce between the Clock Tower and the river, and was crowded in every corner. Places had been balloted for and Conservatives and Radicals were found seated together in the utmost harmony, differences of political opinion being entirely forgotten in the universal desire to see the procession, and to do honour to the great lady who was the centre and cynosure of all. When the Queen's carriage came in sight the Members rose in one body and cheered as they had never cheered even their chosen leaders in the House itself. This a.s.suredly is a testimony to the universal esteem in which Her Majesty is held by the Nation at large. There were about 600 Members, representing every shade of political feeling throughout the three kingdoms, rivalling one another in their eagerness to display their devotion to the hereditary head of the State. It is safe to say that no popularly-elected president of any existing Republic would be greeted in the streets of his capital by all cla.s.ses of his fellow-citizens with a t.i.the of the respect, admiration, and affection accorded to our const.i.tutional Monarch on this day of her Jubilee. The Sovereigns of the other European States--some of whom are wont to exact loyalty at the point of the sword--may well have envied the happy lot of a Queen whose chief protection is her people's love.

[Sidenote: Return to the Palace.]

At a quarter to two the Queen re-entered Buckingham Palace. Right n.o.bly had she borne herself throughout the trying ordeal. Some there were who said they had never seen Her Majesty looking better in her life; others, keener of sight, perhaps, fancied that under that cheerful exterior traces of great emotion were clearly to be detected. Certain it is that on more than one occasion the Queen nearly broke down, "and once, as the tears rolled down her face, the Princess of Wales leant forward, and sympathetically pressed her hand."

[Ill.u.s.tration: _From a Photograph_} {_by the London Stereoscopic Co._

THE ROYAL PROCESSION: THE CARRIAGES Pa.s.sING DOWN KING WILLIAM STREET.

In the nearest carriage are the d.u.c.h.ess of York, Princess Victoria of Wales, Princess Henry of Prussia, and the Grand Duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: _From a Photograph_} {_by the London Stereoscopic Co._

THE NAVAL CONTINGENT CROSSING LONDON BRIDGE INTO SOUTHWARK.

Both Processions on Jubilee day--the Colonial and the Royal--were headed by a few Life Guards and a strong naval detachment. In the case of the Royal Procession the bluejackets dragged after them six naval guns--no light labour, but performed with an ease and smartness which won universal admiration.]

More than human must she have been had she been able to pa.s.s without emotion through those millions of loving men and women shouting themselves hoa.r.s.e in the exuberance of their loyalty. Sixty years a Queen, with such a celebration to mark the sixtieth year! Not when Solomon reigned in all his glory--not when the Roman conqueror rode in triumph along the Appian Way to receive the plaudits of Imperial Rome--not when Napoleon the Great s.n.a.t.c.hed the Emperor's diadem from the Pope and placed it on his own brows--had a single human being been the centre of so much earthly splendour before.

[Ill.u.s.tration: _From a Photograph_} {_by C. Bertschinger._

THE ROYAL PROCESSION: THE ROYAL HORSE ARTILLERY Pa.s.sING ST. GEORGE'S CIRCUS, BOROUGH.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: _From a Photograph_} {_by Russell & Sons._

THE ROYAL PROCESSION: THE QUEEN'S COLONIAL ESCORT, CONSISTING OF REPRESENTATIVES OF EACH OF THE COLONIAL CAVALRY DETACHMENTS, Pa.s.sING WESTMINSTER BRIDGE.