THE LATE QUEEN.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 26, 31 January 1901, Page 4

THE LATE QUEEN.

- FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright London, Jan. 25. The funeral arrangements have been mainly made by Queen Alexandra. The Channel reserve squadron, eighteen battleships, and twelve cruisers, will form two lines from Cowes to Portsmouth. The southern section of the line includes 16 vessels, representing the fleets of Germany, France, America, Russia, Portugal, Denmark, and Italy. Eight destroyers will escort the Albert, bearing the body, followed by the Royal yacht Victoria and Albert, with the King and Queen, and other Royal mourners. The Admiralty and Trinity House yachts, and probably the Hohenzollem, will also take part in the funeral procession. It is expected the passage will occupy’ two hours. The Archbishop of Canterbury, and the Bishops of Cork and Winchester will officiate in St. George’s Chapel prior to the removal of the body to Frogmore. The coflin bearers will consist of noncommissioned officers of the Household Brigade. Twenty thousand troops will line the streets. Vast congregations of every denomina* tion filled the churches throughout the Kingdom on Sunday. Deep mourning is universal. The pulpits of all the churches were heavily draped. Eloquent eulogies were delivered by the Arbishop of Canterbury, preaching at St. Paul’s, who said the nation ought to express its gratitude that so wise and good a Queen had lived so long ; by Dean Bradley at Westminster; Dr Parker, at tho City Temple; the Rev. Hugh Price-Jones, at St. James’ Hall; the Bishop of Winchester, at Whippingham, where the King and Queen were present; Dean Farrar, at Canterbury Cathedral; and the Chief Rabbi at Whitechapel Synagogue. Special reference and prayers were offered. at the Russian, Greek, Dutch, and Italian Churches in London. Similar services were held throughout Canada, and a great part of South Africa. Everywhere there is to be found touching evidence of profound grief, . ""The American National Congress' of Mothers cabled sympathy to King Edward and Queen Alexandra at the loss of their mother, whose nobility and purity of character added to the dignity of motherhood and strength to the homes of all nations. Masonic mourning will last for three months. The King has allowed forty. British and foreign journalists to visit the Chappellc Ardente. The predominant feature of .the surroundings is the wealth of flowers and stately palms. In the centre of the Chappelle, resting on a dais, and covered with the Royal Standard, lies the coffin, of cedar and oak, covered with white satin. A lace pall also partly draped the Queen, who lay in the ermine robe of the Order of the Garter. The King has placed on the coflin the diamond crown used at Drawing-rooms, and also the insignia of the Garter. Around the coffin are placed countless wreaths of laurel, lilies, and azaleas, and on the coflin is a colossal crown of .blue flowers. Four Grenadiers stood motionless at the four corners of the coflin, their heads bowed and their arms reversed. The scene was most solemn and impressive. The family meet daily for worship around the bier. The Duke of Norfolk has announced that it is not desired or expected that the public will wear deep mourning after March 6th, or half mourning after April 17th. Sydney, Jan. 30. Owing to Lord Jersey’s absence from England, Lord Hopetoun has asked Lord Carrington to represent the Commonwealth at the Queen’s funeral. Saturday will be observed as a close holiday throughout the Commonwealth.