One hundred years ago
THE arrangements for the Jubilee are now nearly complete, and no efforts have been spared to make the ceremo- nial a grand one. The 'pit-full of Royal- ties' who will attend to congratulate her Majesty, and who will include every ancient reigning family in Europe ex- cept the House of Othman, will appear in the procession, though an interval will separate them from the Queen's division of it; a Bodyguard of Princes has been arranged to accompany the Queen (Lord Lome, we see, being admitted into it); and ten thousand troops will be on the ground in one capacity or another. The scene in West- minster Abbey will be as magnificent as at a coronation, all the dignitaries of State being present, both Houses of Parliament, and representatives of all services and all classes, except Parnel- lite Irishmen; and the subsequent recep- tion at Buckingham Palace is to be of unprecedented grandeur. The slave posted behind the car of triumph to suggest the mortality of all will be, as usual, Ireland. The Abbey is to be searched through and through, no workman will be admitted except on business, and earnest requests are addressed through the press to all who will attend not to give way to panic should anything unforeseen occur. The precautions are most complete, and nothing will probably happen, the en- thusiasm of the immense majority daunting the few disaffected; but the necessity for such care — which would, however, be equally required in every Monarchy in Europe — throws a certain shade of melancholy over what would otherwise be entirely joyous. The Victorian Era will have lasted fifty years.
The Spectator, 18 June 1887
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