21 MAY 1910, Page 1

On Tuesday morning the body of King Edward wa conveyed

from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall amid scenes which were memorable for their solemnity, orderliness, and simplicity. The ceremony of lodging the coffin in West minster Hall was conducted with a smoothness that did immense credit-to those who were responsible for the arrange- ments, especially as they had no precedent to guide them. The bearing of the dense crowds, which were almost perfectly silent, and wore mourning clothes to an extent never before seen in England, not only aided the prevailing sense of orderliness, but gave a peculiarly personal touch to the national sorrow. After a brief service in the Throne Room at the Palace, the procession went by the Mall and Whitehall to Westminster. The highest officers and officials of the Navy and Army preceded the coffin, which was followed by the King and members of the Royal family on foot. The Queen-Mother, the Empress Marie of Russia, Queen Mary, the Queen of Norway, and others were in carriages. " Big Ben " was tolled during the progress of the procession. The coffin was on a gun-carriage, and everywhere there was an absence of the heavy artificial symbols of mourning which in pri"ate life are too often allowed to add to the expense of funerals while actually detracting from their dignity.