THE LYING-IN-STATE.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 821, 19 May 1910, Page 7

THE LYING-IN-STATE.

HUGE NUMBERS AT WESTMINSTER PEOPLE'S ALL-NIGHT VIGIL.

By TeleeraDh—Press Association— Oopyriaht London, May 17.

Tho Headquarters Staff and the Army Council, the Board of Admiralty, Mold-Marshals, Admirals of the Elect, Indian Orderly Officers, and King Edward's Aidos-do-Camp headed the funeral procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall, where the body of the late King will remain until the day of the funeral.

Tho procession started at 11.30 o'clock, prior to which, at the Queen Mother Alexandra's instance, a short service was held at Buckingham Palace. It was conducted by the Bishop of London (the Bight Rev. Dr. Ingram) and Canon Sheppard (Canon and Precentor of St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle).

Tho massed bands of the Brigade of Guards (32) and the King's Company of Grenadiers marched immediately before the coffin, which was flanked by equerries and 24 Yeomen or the Guard. Coffin, Crown, and Carter. The collin was covered with a cream white pall, bearing tho Crown and Regalia and Insignia of the Garter, and was followed by the Royal Standard, borne by Life Guardsmen. Then King George V., in an Admiral's uniform, walked alono, followed by his sons, Princes Edward and Albert abreast, in naval uniform; King Fredcrik VIII of Denmark, tlio Duke of Connaught (the late King's brother), and King Haakon VII of Norway, abreast; after tlicm the other Royalties and foreign Court officials; King Edward's physicians, afoot; then the suites of tho Kings of Norway and Denmark and other Princes. Finally, there were nino carriages, with the Queen Mother Alexandra in tho first carriage, Queen Mary in the second, tho other Royal ladies following. » Big Ben was tolled at intervals of fifteen seconds, and 68 guns were fired in St. James's Park during tho progress of the' procession. Tho streets were lined by 10,000 infantry and 2000 cavalry, including the Brigade of Guards, the Household Cavalry, and the Naval Brigade. The troops stood with bowed heads' and weapons reversed. Salutations to Queen Mother. I As the procession started the Queen Mother Alexandra acknowledged the salutations of those assembled iu the forecourt of Buckingham Palace. The Coldstream Guards, stationed in tho centre of Palacc \ r ard, acted as a guard of honour. Their colours were draped.

From 8.30 o'clock there were immense subdued crowds in the Mall, and in the'vicinity of the Horse Guards and Whitehall. There were 3000 people at Whitehall. The roofs of mansions were crowded.

The massed bands of the Brigade of Guards, when leaving Buckingham Palace,, played Beethoven's March. On reaching Marlborough Gate forty pipers of the Scots Guards played the lament, "Flowers of the Forest." At the Duke of York's column, the bands united in Chopin's "Funeral March." Along Downing Street they played ,tho "Dead March" ("Saul"), continuing until the coffin was carried into Westminster Hall. The Norroy King of Arms (Wm. H. Weldon, Esq., C.V.O , F.S.A.) led during the procession. The Garter King of Arms (Sir Alfred Scott Scott-Gatty, C.V.0., F.S.A.), the First Commissioner of Works (the Right Hon. Lewis Harcourt), the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod (Admiral Sir Henry F. Stephenson), and the Earl Marshal (the Duke of Norfolk) led the procession at Westminster. ' J Arrival at the Hall. The procession roached Westminster Hall amidst tlie roll of drums, the boom of guns, and the tolling of Big Ben.The Royal remains were received with simple solemnity. 'J'hc Primate (tho Most Rev. Dr. Davidson, Archbishop of Canterbury), and the Dean of Westminster (Dr. Armitago Robinson) were, with tho Lord Great Chamberlain (Lord Carrington), the Earl Marshal (the Duke of Norfolk), and the. First Commissioner of Works (the Right Hon. Lewis liarconrt) waiting at tho door to receive tho body. Tho Primate and the Dean, preceded by a chaplain carrying tho Primatial cross, conducted the bearers to tho catafalque, which was in the centre of the Hall. Tlic coffin was borno : by Grenadiers and Yeomen 'of tho Guard. Westminster Abbey choir and tho children of the Chapel Royal, standing at the top of the steps leading to St. Stephen's Porch, under Sir Frederick Bridge (organist of Westminster Abbey), sang Spohr's "Blest are tho Departed," all unaccompanied except in the final hymn, "0 God, our Help in Ages Past," in which they were accompanied by ten instrumentalists of the Brigade of Guards. The Royal Entry. Entering tlie Hall King George supported his mother (Queen Alexandra), and the Dowager-Empress Marie of Russia (the Queen Mother's sister), was oh Queen Alexandra's left. Tho Princess Victoria (a daughter of King Edward) and Queen Mary followed. Thou came King George I of Greece, King Frederik VIII of Denmark (brother of Queen Alexandra), King Haakon VII of Norway (her nephew and son-in-law), the Royal Princes, Ladies-in-Waiting, and an immense number of Army officers nad admirals.

Field-Marshals Lords ICitchoncr and Roberts walked side by side. Admiral Lord Eislier of ICilverstone had a position behind tho other admirals. Among others present were a dozen lady nurses from the Hoyal palaces. King George and the Royal mournon grouped at tho head of tho.coffin ; the Gentlcinen-at-Ai ms on either side ; and tho Archbishop of Canterbury, tho Lord Great Chamberlain, and tho Earl Marsha] at the foot. Lords and Commoners. A large enclosure for members of the House of Commons was reserved on the south side, and for members of the House of Lords on the north side, the Lord Chancellor (Lord Lereburn), with a mace,, confronting the Speaker (the Right Hon. J. W. Lowther), also with n mace. The Lord Chancellor and the Speaker belli wore their robes of office. The Speaker walked between Mr. Asquith (the Prime Minister) and Mr. Balfour Ujcadev of tho OpiioeitioiO-

The Heralds and Pursuivants of Arms conducted the Navy and Army officers to the steps at the end of the Hall.

The Dean of Westminster and the Archdeacon of Westminster (Dr. A. B. Wilberforce) assisted in the service, which included selected praj'ers and tJhc 23rd Psalm ("Tho Lord is my Shepherd"). Address by the Archbishop of Canterbury. After tho Benediction had been pronounced, the Primate gave an address. He emphasised the point that for a Christian death is swallowed up in a larger life. He added that a common sorrow betokened a common hope, and urged his hearers to rise from sorrow to thanksgiving for a ruler devoted to tho service of tho people, and for the peace and prosperity of King Edward's reign. He hoped all would be united in the fight "against all that was unworthy of our calling as Christian inheritors ot a great Empire."

Tho Queen Mother knelt in silent prayer. King George raised her and conducted her out of the Hall. She and the Dowager-Empress Marie drove to Buckingham Palace.

Preceding their Majesties and other Royalties was an escort of Life Guards. There was no procession on the return journey.

The Royal Standard at Buckingham Palace now flies at the masthead, King George being theoretically in residenco at the Palacc. Tho public were admitted to Westminster Hall at four o'clock. Thirty thousand were waiting in a "queue for an hour previously. AN IMPRESSIVE SCENE. a" huge queue of waiting PEOPLE. (Rec. May 18, 11.30 p.m.) .The coffin lies in Westminster Hall in a cream satin-draped catafalque. A Yeoman of the Guard stands at each coiner, and four Gentlemen-at-Arms stand at tho head of the coffin with halberds reversed. Two officers of the Grenadiers, with heads bowed and leaning on their swords, are at either side, and two Glmrka officers are at the foot, all motionless. Tho Kaiser's magnificent lilies and orchids and other wreaths are ranged along tho sides of the hall. The Queen. Mother Alexandra's cross of violets and mauve t orchids, lying against tho head of the coffin, was, as night fell, tho central object in tho gaunt, bare hall, lit by. uncanny flickers from four candelabra, the same as was used at the Duke of Wellington's funeral, addiug a mysterious beauty and impvessiveuess.

Tile only sound was the dull tramp of thousands of feet. Those arriving in the early hours to view the body were mainly well-dressed women. There were also many nurses, clergymen, ■ boys, and retired officers, who saluted the coffin.

The queue of persons waiting to enter was, at half-past • seven 1 o'clock, three miles long, and stretched to Lambeth Bridge,. Chelsea, tho people standing fotir to six abreast. Ten thousand are passing the coffin hourly.

Later, thfe proportions of men increased, including many artisans, in corduroys, • and clerks. There were also typists, shop girls, and' dressmakers.

Forty thousand had passed the bier by 9 o'clock,.and 13,136 passed during the remaining hour. Four thousand others were disappointed, and dispersed quietly. King Alfonso XIII of Spain visited tho Hall after the closing hour, and remained half an hour. To-day's queue of waiting people began to assemble at midnight. Despite heavy rain, thero were 50,000 waiting at 8 o'clock in the queue. THE KING'S APPRECIATION. (Rec. May IS, 11.10 p.m.) London, May 18. King George, in identical letters to the Earl Marshal and tho Chief of Police, says: "I am impressed with the manner in which everything was carricd out at to-day's beautiful ceremony. Nothing could havo been better than tho quiet dignity of the tribute thus paid to the memory of my beloved father." King George I of Greece, the Crown I'rmco Constantino of Greece, Prince Christopher of Greece, and I'rinco Henry of Prussia (tho Kaiser'.s brother) havo arrived. Hundreds of wreaths arc on show at tho Dean's Cloisters, Windsor, including an enormous one of white and purple heather from tho Highland Society of Hawke's Bay. KIPLING'S TRIBUTE TO THE DEAD. A STIRRING POEM. (Rcc. May 19, 0.15 a.m.) London, May IS. Mr. Rudyard Kipling, in a striking poem, acclaims King Edward's manysided endeavours and ungrudging devotion in the national service.

The poem concludes with a patriotic appeal to the nation to do as the King lias done.

LORD MAYOR OF DUBLIN. (Rec. May 18, 11.10 p.m.) London, May lf» The Lord Mayor of Dublin has been invited to attend the funeral, and lias accepted tho invitation. AUSTRALIAN WREATHS. London, May 17. New South Wales's wreath is of white lilies, roses, and carnations, with tho inscription on a purple ribbon, in silver letters: "From the Government and people of New South Wales." South Australia's wreath is of white flowers, entwined in purple ribbon, with the inscription in silver letters: "From the Government of South Australia." Tho City of Sydney's wreath is of mauve lilac flowers, with this inscription in silver lettering on a purple ribbon: "From the Lord Mayor and Citizens of Sydnoy." On a card attached aro the words: "A token of the deep sorrow, sympathy, and devotion, from the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Citizrniß of Sydney."

- Sir George • Roid (Australian Commissioner) is sencling a wreath on bblialS-.of'the Mayor and citizens of < Newcastle. It will be inscribed: "A 1 >h;;mble mark of deep sorrow and loyalty." The Agents-General were specially invited to the lying-in-state at Buck' ingliam Palace yesterday afternoon. At Sir Georgo Reid's instance, representative Australian journalists were invited to the services at' Westminster Hull. COLONIALS INVITED. (Ike. May 18, 11.10 l>-m.) London, May 18. Anglo-Australians are gratified that the earlier announcement has ljcen withdraw, and that Sir George Roid (High Commissioner for Mr. Hall-Jones New Zealand), Mr. Newton Moor (Premier of Western Australia), and the Agents-General have cow been invited to be present at the service in St. George's Chapel, Windsor. The Australian Naval Draft will join the naval contingent in the procession. Majors Buckley and Brusche, Captain White, and Lieutenant MacArtney will represent Australia in the Colonial Military Contingent, and Colonel R. Davies and Major J. Hughes will represent New Zealand. CANADIAN COMMENTS- . (Rec. May 18,11.30 p.m.) London, May 18. Some comments are published in the Canadian papers regarding the difficulties arising over giving places to the representatives of the overseas Domin- . ions in the funeral procession. As a consequence of tho intervention of Lord Strathcona, High Commissioner for Canada, tho Hon. A. B. Aylesworth, and tho Hon. S. A. Fisher (Canadian Ministers for Justice and Agriculture), tho Canadian Speaker (Mr. MarciJ), Chief Justice Fitzpatrick, Sir Daniel M'jVlillan (Lieut.-Governor of Manitoba), and the Mayors of Montreal and Toronto will bo invited to b? present at the service in St. George's Windsor.

Four Canadians are included in tho Military Contingent. ODDFELLOWS' SYMPATHY. (Rec. May 18, 10.40 p.m.) London, May 18. The Australian and New Zealand branches of the Oddfellows cabled. to the annual Conference of Oddfellows at Southampton- their sympathy in the national bereavement. THE NEWS ON THE OCEAN. London, May 17. Lord Gladstone (first Governor-Gen-eral of South Africa) and his party ivere aboard the Union, Castle Company's liner Walmer Castle, when they learned of King Edward's death. The news was signalled from the same Company's liner Garth Castle, on May 13. The following shows diagrammaticallj the order of the procession to Westminster Hall:— Guards' Batods. Equerries. THE COFFIN. Yeomen of the Guard. Royal Standard. KING GEORGE V. PRINCE EDWARD. PRINCE ALBERT. King of Duke of King o£ Denmark. ' Couuaught ' Norway, Other Royalties. Foreign Court Officials. King Edward's Physicians. Royal Suites. ALEXANDRA, THE QUEEN MOTHER. QUEEN MARY. Other Royal Ladies. The grouping at the service in Westminster Hall was as follows:— King George V and the Other Royal Mourners. Gentlemen THE COFFIN. Gentlemen at Arms., at Arms. Archbishop of Canterbury. Lord Great Chamberlain. Earl Marshal.