Sixty Years a Queen Part 44

The photograph is taken from the Clock Tower of the House of Commons.

Owing to the winding of the river, the dome of St. Paul's Cathedral can be seen on the extreme left, over the warehouses on the Surrey side.]

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

THE ROYAL PROCESSION: THE BANDS OF THE 1ST LIFE GUARDS AND DRAGOON GUARDS Pa.s.sING THE HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT.]

[Sidenote: Presents to the Queen.]

Some mention should be made of the presents given to the Queen by her royal kinsmen and her household. The Princes and Princesses more nearly related to the head of the House of Hanover had prepared a pleasant surprise in the shape of a copy of Mr. Holmes's authorised "Life of the Queen," bound in covers of purest gold. Two hundred ounces of gold were used, and the only ornaments consisted of the Imperial monogram surmounted by a Crown, and having at its base a scroll bearing the legend, "1837: June 20: 1897." These were composed of 352 diamonds, with rubies and emeralds set in red enamel. On the back cover were engraved facsimiles of the signatures of the various royal subscribers. A magnificent brooch of diamonds and pearls was presented to Her Majesty by the Princess of Wales, her children, the d.u.c.h.ess of York, and the Duke of Fife. From her household the Queen received a bracelet of beautiful workmanship composed of round medallions set in brilliants, with large rubies and sapphires at intervals. On the medallions were engraved the rose, shamrock, and thistle, the lotus-flower representing the Colonies. The Queen was highly pleased with this token of the affection of her household, and wore it at all the State dinners. The design was the work of H.R.H. Princess Henry of Battenberg.

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

THE ROYAL PROCESSION: THE ESCORT OF PRINCES AND REPRESENTATIVES OF FOREIGN POWERS.]

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

RETURN OF THE ROYAL PROCESSION: THE ESCORT OF OFFICERS OF IMPERIAL SERVICE TROOPS ENTERING THE PALACE YARD.]

[Sidenote: Congratulations from Abroad.]

In addition to the innumerable addresses which the Queen received from every part of her dominions, an immense number of congratulatory messages was sent from foreign countries. The quaintest of all was that of the United States. It was delivered to Her Majesty by the Honourable Whitelaw Reid, the Special Amba.s.sador, who was conspicuous in the Jubilee Procession as the only man partaking in it in everyday attire.

He wore evening dress and an opera hat. The text of the address was as follows:--

"To Her Majesty VICTORIA, Queen of Great Britain and Ireland, Empress of India.

"Great and good friend, in the name and on behalf of the people of the United States, I present their sincere felicitations upon the sixtieth anniversary of your Majesty's accession to the Crown of Great Britain.

"I express the sentiments of my fellow-citizens in wishing for your people the prolongation of a reign which has been ill.u.s.trious and marked by advance in science, arts, and popular well-being. On behalf of my countrymen I wish particularly to recognise your friendship for the United States and your love of peace exemplified upon important occasions.

"It is pleasing to acknowledge the debt of grat.i.tude and respect due to your personal virtues.

"May your life be prolonged, and peace, honour, and prosperity bless the people over whom you have been called to rule. May liberty nourish throughout your Empire under just and equal laws, and your government continue strong in the affections of all who live under it. And I pray that G.o.d may have your Majesty in His holy keeping.

"Your good friend, "WILLIAM M'KINLEY.

"Done at Washington this 28th day of May, A.D. 1897, by the President.

"JOHN SHERMAN, Secretary of State."

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

THE ROYAL PROCESSION: HER MAJESTY'S CARRIAGE IN WHITEHALL.

On the right is seen a portion of the banqueting hall of the former Royal Palace of Whitehall, and next to it a grand stand seating 4,000 persons. The Queen's carriage is turning to pa.s.s through the Horse Guards' gate into the Mall.]

[Sidenote: The Royal Dinner.]

In the evening of the great day the Queen entertained an ill.u.s.trious company of foreign Princes at dinner in Buckingham Palace. Here is the menu:--Potages--Bernoise a l'Imperatrice, Parmentier; Poissons--Whitebait, Filets de Saumon a la Norvegienne; Entrees--Timbales a la Monte Carlo, Cailles a la d'Uxelle; Releves--Poulets a la Demidon, Roast Beef; Roti--Poulardes farcies; Entremets--Pois sautes au beurre, Pouding Cambaceres, Pain d'Oranges a la Cintra, Canapes a la Princesse; Side Table--Hot and cold roast, fowls, Tongue, Cold beef, Salade. A great bouquet of orchids was placed on the dining-table immediately opposite where Her Majesty sat.

[Ill.u.s.tration: BROOCH OF DIAMONDS AND PEARLS

Presented to the Queen by the members of her household, and worn by Her Majesty on State occasions during the Jubilee. The original is much larger than this engraving; it measures 2-7/8 inches across.]

[Sidenote: Jubilee Honours.]

The list of Jubilee honours published in the newspapers of June 22 presented some features of great interest. The most popular elevations were those of the eleven Colonial Prime Ministers to the dignity of Privy Councillors. It was felt that the nucleus of the long-dreamed-of Pan-Britannic Council had been formed. The elevation of Mr. W. E. H.

Lecky, one of the members for the Dublin University, to the same dignity was recognised as a graceful compliment to the world of learning. The baronetcy conferred on the Lord Mayor of London was well-deserved, for no Lord Mayor had done so much in the present century to enhance the reputation of the Mansion House for philanthropic enterprise and lavish hospitality. Two new Lord Mayoralties, those of Sheffield and Leeds, were created; and three towns, Nottingham, Bradford, and Kingston-upon-Hull, were raised to the importance of cities. In late years peerages have generally been bestowed on men who have achieved greatness in the commercial world, and no choice could have been happier than that of Sir John Burns, Bart., the head of the Cunard Steamship Company, while that conferred on the Right Hon. Sir Donald Smith, G.C.M.G., was held to be as much a compliment to the man himself as to the Dominion of Canada, of which he was High Commissioner.

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

THE RIGHT HON. SIR HUGH M. NELSON,

PREMIER OF QUEENSLAND.

Born at Kilmarnock in Scotland in 1835, educated at Edinburgh High School and University. Settled in Moreton Bay District in 1853, entered the Legislative a.s.sembly 1883, became Minister for Railways 1888-90, Leader of Opposition 1891, Minister without portfolio 1892, Colonial Treasurer 1893, Premier in November of the same year.]

Generally speaking, a more ample recognition of the claims of the Colonial Empire, as well as of Art and Science at home, marked the Diamond Jubilee honours list.

[Ill.u.s.tration: _By permission of_} {_F. Sanders & Co., Florists, St.

Albans._

DIAMOND JUBILEE ORCHID TROPHY.

This beautiful bouquet adorned the Royal Dinner Table on June 22. It stood 8 feet 6 inches high and measured 6 feet through, and was arranged in a gilded wicker basket. The upper portion took the form of a royal crown, beneath which were the letters V. R. I., each a foot in length, composed of Epidendrum Vitellinum on a ground of Odontoglossum Citrosmum. Orchids from Australia, South Africa, New Guinea, Burmah, British Guiana, the West Indies, and other parts of Her Majesty's dominions were among the 50,000 to 60,000 flowers employed in this, the most magnificent bouquet ever constructed.]

It was hoped by many that advantage would have been taken of this unique occasion to extend the sovereign dignity of the Queen, so that it might include not only the United Kingdom and India but also the English-speaking Colonies. The addition of the names of the Colonies to the legend on the coinage would have followed this step as a natural corollary, and there can be no doubt it would have found favour with the great majority of the Queen's subjects at home and abroad. Reasons of State may have interfered, but they cannot be insuperable, and we may look forward with confidence to the time when Parliament will decorate the Queen with this splendid honour.

[Ill.u.s.tration: _From a Photograph_} {_by Elliott & Fry._

THE RIGHT HON. SIR J. GORDON SPRIGG,

PREMIER OF CAPE COLONY.

Son of the late Rev. J. Sprigg, of Ipswich; born in 1830. He worked on the Hansard staff of the House of Commons; went to Africa for his health in 1858 and settled there. Entered the Cape Parliament in 1869. He has been thrice Prime Minister; also Finance Minister under Mr. Rhodes, 1893-96.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: _From a Photograph_} {_by Symonds & Co., Portsmouth._

THE NAVAL REVIEW, June 26, 1897: THE FLEET SALUTING.]

CHAPTER III.

Illuminations in London--Festivities in the Provinces and the Colonies---Addresses of Congratulation from the Lords and Commons--Gathering of School Children on Const.i.tution Hill--State Performance at the Opera--The Princess of Wales's Dinners to the Poor--State Reception--Special Performance at the Lyceum--Torchlight Evolutions by Etonians at Windsor--Naval Review at Spithead--The Fleet Illuminated--The Colonial Troops at the Naval Review.