-
Articles/Ads
Article THE LYING IN STATE. ← Page 2 of 5 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Lying In State.
also hung with black cloth , to the ante-room . The servants of his late Royal Highness , in their state-liveries , were ranged within the barriers round the hall . The ante-room was hung all round with black cloth , the windows were completely darkened , and it was illuminated only hy wax-lights in silver sconces attached to the walls . At the entrance stood his late Royal Highness ' s piper , M'Kay , attired in full Highland
costume . The poor fellow seemed deeply affected by the loss of his master , and his sighs and sobs were frequently audible . The effect produced on entering the ante-room was solemn in the extreme , and the solemnity was heightened and increased by the marked contrast presented with the scene without . Without , the sun was shining brightly , the birds carolling gaily , the trees ancl the flowers in full bloom , and all nature
luxuriating , as it were , in the balmy and cheering freshness of the first morning of spring . Within , all was dark , gloomy , noiseless as the grave . It was impossible not to feel awe-struck by the contrast—not to feel that you were passing from the living to the dead . The gloom of the ante-chamber was so intense that we could not distinctly perceive those in attendance there ; we , however , saw several statue-like forms ,
attired in gorgeous state-costumes , arranged along the barriers between which we passed . The floor , too , was so thickly matted that not a footfall could be heard , ancl noiselessly the crowd passed on into the
presencechamber . This room was hung with black cloth , tastefully fluted , and , like the ante-room , had its floor thickly matted . Here , however , there was none of the gloom of the grave . Here was the state ancl pomp of woe , —the gorgeousness of grief , more magnificent , but certainly less solemn , less sublime than the dense gloom of the ante-room . The room was hung with black cloth , tastefull y fluted . On the sides were fourteen
emblazoned escutcheons of his late Royal Highness ' s arms , intersected by silver sconces , with wax-lights . At the upper end of the room , appeared , in the centre , a large escutcheon of her Majesty ' s arms . At the upper end , also , was erected a platform , descending to the floor by two steps , likewise covered with black cloth , on which the coffin was placed on a stand . The coffin was covered by a splendid pall of black
Genoa silk velvet , having facings of white satin ; and on either side of the platform were placed three immense and massive silver candlesticks , bearing large wax-candles . Above the coffin ivas raised a splendid canopy , having a deep drapery round it . His Royal Highness ' s coronet was placed on the coffin . At the head of the coffin , directly under the escutcheon of her
Majesty ' s arms , was placed a chair , on which the chief mourner sat . On the step below , stood a gentleman-usher on either side , at the head , ancl a herald with his tabard , at the foot ; and on the floor stood his late Royal Highness ' s pages , & c . Opposite to the platform are two VOL . 1 . E I ;
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Lying In State.
also hung with black cloth , to the ante-room . The servants of his late Royal Highness , in their state-liveries , were ranged within the barriers round the hall . The ante-room was hung all round with black cloth , the windows were completely darkened , and it was illuminated only hy wax-lights in silver sconces attached to the walls . At the entrance stood his late Royal Highness ' s piper , M'Kay , attired in full Highland
costume . The poor fellow seemed deeply affected by the loss of his master , and his sighs and sobs were frequently audible . The effect produced on entering the ante-room was solemn in the extreme , and the solemnity was heightened and increased by the marked contrast presented with the scene without . Without , the sun was shining brightly , the birds carolling gaily , the trees ancl the flowers in full bloom , and all nature
luxuriating , as it were , in the balmy and cheering freshness of the first morning of spring . Within , all was dark , gloomy , noiseless as the grave . It was impossible not to feel awe-struck by the contrast—not to feel that you were passing from the living to the dead . The gloom of the ante-chamber was so intense that we could not distinctly perceive those in attendance there ; we , however , saw several statue-like forms ,
attired in gorgeous state-costumes , arranged along the barriers between which we passed . The floor , too , was so thickly matted that not a footfall could be heard , ancl noiselessly the crowd passed on into the
presencechamber . This room was hung with black cloth , tastefully fluted , and , like the ante-room , had its floor thickly matted . Here , however , there was none of the gloom of the grave . Here was the state ancl pomp of woe , —the gorgeousness of grief , more magnificent , but certainly less solemn , less sublime than the dense gloom of the ante-room . The room was hung with black cloth , tastefull y fluted . On the sides were fourteen
emblazoned escutcheons of his late Royal Highness ' s arms , intersected by silver sconces , with wax-lights . At the upper end of the room , appeared , in the centre , a large escutcheon of her Majesty ' s arms . At the upper end , also , was erected a platform , descending to the floor by two steps , likewise covered with black cloth , on which the coffin was placed on a stand . The coffin was covered by a splendid pall of black
Genoa silk velvet , having facings of white satin ; and on either side of the platform were placed three immense and massive silver candlesticks , bearing large wax-candles . Above the coffin ivas raised a splendid canopy , having a deep drapery round it . His Royal Highness ' s coronet was placed on the coffin . At the head of the coffin , directly under the escutcheon of her
Majesty ' s arms , was placed a chair , on which the chief mourner sat . On the step below , stood a gentleman-usher on either side , at the head , ancl a herald with his tabard , at the foot ; and on the floor stood his late Royal Highness ' s pages , & c . Opposite to the platform are two VOL . 1 . E I ;