THE PARADE OF THE TROOPS.
At an early hour in the afternoon a large crowd began to assemble to witness this interesting ceremony. A body of military police, in addition to the regular civilian force, were in attendance in order to keep the throng of sightseers within their proper limits. And their duties were by no means light, for the proverbial curiosity of the Chinese urged some adventurous coolies again and again to dash through the cordon, undeterred by the fate of their predecessor. Shortly after five o'clock, the troops began to muster on the Parade Ground. The Northamptonshire Regiment, the Royal Artillery, and the Gun Lascars took part in the Parade. After going through a little preliminary drill, the men were drawn up in a double line which extended from the top of the Parade Ground right down Queen's Road to the extreme end of the Cricket Ground. The Gun Lascars with their guns were placed at right angles to the column at the top of the Parade Ground, and the Band was grouped at the back, about the centre. The clock had scarcely given the last stroke of six when the salute by the band and troops announced the arrival of His Excellency, who took up his position at the saluting point. Immediately after his arrival, a salute of seven guns was given by the Lascars, followed by the firing of a feu de joie by the whole troops assembled, after which the band played a few bars of "God Save the Queen." This was repeated twice, thus giving in all a salute of twenty-one guns. At the call of Colonel Anderson, the men then gave three ringing cheers for Her Majesty and "one cheer more," after which the band played the Anthem of "God Save the Queen" in its entirety. The men were then arranged in their respective divisions, and with their officers at their head, marched past in order, each division saluting as they passed His Excellency. They then returned to their original ground and were dismissed to the barracks.
REJOICINGS AT THE BARRACKS.
The 58th Regiment celebrated the Jubilee in a most thorough manner. The square at the rear of the Murray Barracks was artistically illuminated for the occasion with Chinese lanterns, which were hung in festoons round the walls. On the wall of the building itself, the lamps were arranged in gigantic letters, in the form of the letters "V.R." in the centre, flanked on either side with the words "Queen," "Empress," and the number of the Regiment "58" at either extremity. Underneath the letters "V.R." were placed shields bearing the coat of arms of the regiment, the whole presenting one of the most effective spectacles it is possible to imagine. Long tables stretched right across the square, on which was placed a most substantial supper. The men having taken their seats and the officers being present, the popular Colonel of the regiment, Col. Anderson, whose appearance was the signal for an outburst of cheering, addressed them as follows:—
Officers, Non-commissioned Officers, and men of the 58th Northamptonshire Regiment. We are assembled together this evening to celebrate the Jubilee of Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen, Empress of India. No better day could be chosen, as it completes a cycle, to chronicle the vast strides made by the Empire and to record the improvements and developments of our national resources during the last 50 years. This day is celebrated not only by British subjects throughout the Empire, but also by all nationalities under the British flag, each one vying with another to do honour to Her Majesty, who by her responsible ministers governs the most influential kingdom in the world. By her equity, Her Majesty has gained the highest position as a Sovereign, and by her kindness, the love and esteem of a nation. Well may we who wear Her Majesty's uniform be proud of the high privilege; our insignia, our colours, and our badges are our warrants to uphold Queen and country. We hold sacred our island home. With heart and soul then let us join in our national anthem to our Queen who has the heart of all her subjects, wishing Her Majesty long life, health, and happiness to pilot us through many more years of prosperity.
The toast was then drunk with ringing cheers which might almost have been heard at the other side of the Island, while the National Anthem was sung by all present in an equally enthusiastic manner. An alteration was made in the anthem, the following verse being substituted for the second verse of the original:—
Do thou her steps direct,
Watch o'er her and protect
Our gracious Queen:
Shad o'er her heart a ray
Of wisdom's glorious day,
Lov'd be Victoria's sway,
God Save the Queen.
At the conclusion of the anthem, cheers were given for Colonel Anderson, Major Ellis, and the different officers. Many of the officers were then taken by several of the men on their shoulders and carried between the lines of tables, those seated greeting each officer as he was borne past with the most vigorous cheering and applause. The officers then withdrew, and the men were for a considerable time engaged on the substantial fare which was placed before them. A stage had been erected in the square, and supper being over, the band and the minstrel troupe of the regiment gave a most enjoyable concert. The entertainment was kept going with much vigour until close upon midnight. In spite of the festive character of the evening and the numbers gathered together, the men behaved in a most exemplary manner, not a single case of removal to the guard room occurring, a fact which speaks well for the character of the regiment.
THE NAVAL DISPLAY.
Punctually as the nine o'clock gun fired, the Victor Emanuel, Cordelia, and Firebrand were lit up with blue lights, and simultaneously a discharge of rockets took place. The instantaneous transformation of the dark forms of the vessels into a brilliant illumination produced a most striking and pleasing effect and elicited many expressions of admiration from the sightseers along the Praya. But what excited the most admiration was the playing of the powerful electric search light of the Cordelia. This was now thrown up towards the sky and anon swept along the hillside and over the waters of the harbour, one moment lighting up the Victor Emanuel and the next resting on a sampan under sail, making the ugly little craft look like some fairy vessel. Government House and Head Quarter House, with the surrounding trees, were thrown into relief like pictures in a lime light exhibition, and pretty effects were produced in all directions. The display was only of short duration, but was very beautiful while it lasted; before half-past nine, the blue lights were extinguished, and the electric light ceased to play soon afterwards, 49 vessels resuming their ordinary night appearance.
THE PARSEE CELEBRATION.
Almost all the members of the Parsee community attended the "Jasan," or thanksgiving ceremony, in celebration of Her Most Gracious Majesty's Jubilee, which took place at 9 a.m. on Tuesday at their Club House in Shelley Street, which building was elegantly decorated with flowers and evergreens. All the Trustees of the Parsee Charity Funds, Messrs. H. N. Mody, N. P. Dhalla, H. M. Mehla, and E. C. Sethna were present. The usual religious ceremony was performed at the commencement, with appropriate prayers.
250
THE PARADE OF THE TROOPS.
across
At an early hour in the afternoon a large crowd began to assemble to witness this interesting ceremony. A body of military police in addition to the regular civilian force were in attendance in order to keep the throng of sightseers within their proper limits. And their duties were by uo means light. for the proverbial curiosity of the Chinese arged some adventurous coolis again and again to dash through the cordon undeterred by the fate of his predecessor. Shortly after five o'olook the troops began to master on the Parade Ground. The Northamptonshire Esgiment, the Royal Artillery, and the Gua Lasears took part in the Parade. After going through a little pre- liminary drill, the men were drawn up in a double line which extendad from the top of the Parade Ground right Queen's Road to the extreme end of the Cricket Ground. The Gan Lascars with their gans were placed at right angles to the column at the top of the Parade Ground and the Band was gronped at the back, about the centre. The clock had scarcely given the last stroke of six when the salute by the band and troops announced the arrival of His Excellency, who took up his position at the salating point. Immediately after his arrival a salute of seven gans was given by the Lascara, followed by the firing of a fou da joie by the whole troops assem- blad, after which the band played a few bars of "God 8 ive the Q100." This was repeated twice thus giving in all the salute of twenty-ous guns. At the call of Colonel Anderson the men then gave three ringing cheers for Her Majesty and "one choer more," after which the band played the Anthem of "God Save the Queen "in its eB- tirety. The mon were then arranged in their ro- spective divisions, and with their offloors at their head marobed past in order, each division saluting as they passed His Excellency. They then return- ed to their original ground and were dismissed to the barracks,
REJOICINGS AT THE BARRACKS.
The 58th Regiment celebrated the Jubilee in a most thorough mauner. The square at the rear of the Murray Barracks was artistically illu. minated for the occasion with Chinese lanterns, which were hang in festoons round the walls. Oa the wall of the building itself the lamps were arranged in gigantic letters, in the form of the letters V.R." in the coutre, flanked on either side with the words "Queen," "Empress" and the number of the Regiment "59" at either ex- tromity. Underneath the letters V.R" were placed shields bearing the coat of arms of the regiment, the whole presenting one of the most effectire spectacles it is possibla to imagine. Long tables stretched right across the square, on which was placed a most substantial suppor. The men having taken their seats and the officers being present, the popular Colonel of the regiment, Col. Anderson, whose appearance was the signal for an outburst of cheering, addressed them as follows :---
Officers, Non-commissioned Officers, and men of the (58th Northamptonshire Regiment. We are assembled together this evening to celebrate the Jubilee of Her Most Gracions Majesty the Queen, Empress of India. No batter day could be chosen, as it completes a cycle, to chronicle the vast strides made by the Empire and to re- cord the improvements and developments of our national resources during the last 50 years. This day is celebrated not only by British subjects throughout the Empire, but also by all nationalities under the British flag, each ons ying with another to do honour to Her Ma- jesty, who by her responsible minsters go- verus the most influential kingdom in the world. By her equity, Her Majesty has gained the highest position as a Soreriga, and by her kind. ness, the love and asteem of a nation. Well
tway
may we who wear Her Majesty's uniform be proud of the high privilege; our insignis, our colours, and our badges are our warrants to np. hold Queen and country. We hold sacred our island home. With heart and soul then let us join in our national authem to our Queen who has the heart of all her subjts, wishing Her Majesty long life, health, and happiness to pilot! us through many more years of prosperity. The toast was then drunk with ringing cheers which might almost have been heard at the other side of the Island, while the National Anthem was sang by all present in an equally enthusiastic manner. An alteration was made in the anthem, the following verse being substi tuted for the second verse of the original :--
Do thou her steps direct. Watch o'er her and protect
Our gracious Queen:
Shad o'er her heart a ray
Of wisdom's glorious day, Lov'd be Victoria's sway,
God Save the Queen.
At the conclusion of the anthem choors were given for Colonel Anderson, Major Ellis, and the different officers. Many of the officers were then taken by several of the men on their shout- ders and carried between the lines of tables, those seated greeting each officer as he was borne past with the most vigorous cheering and applause. The officers then withdrew and the men were for a considerable time engaged on the substantial fare which was placed before them. A stage had been erected in the square, and sup per being over, the band and the minstrel troupe of the regiment gave a most enjoyable consort. The entertainment was kept going with much vigoar until close upon midnight. In spite of the festive character of the evening and the numbers gathered together the men behaved in a most exemplary manner, not a single case of removal to the guard room occurring, a fact which speaks well for the character of the regiment.
THE NAVAL DISPLAY.
Punctually as the nine o'clock gun fired, the Victor Emanuel, Cordelia, and Firebrand were lit up with blue lights, and simultaneously a dis- charge of rockets took place. The instantaneous transformation of the dark forms of the vessels into a brilliant illumination produced a most strik. ing and pleasing effect and elicited many ex- pressions of admiration from the sightseers along the Praya. But what excited the most admiration was the playing of the powerful electric search light of the Cordelia. This was now thrown up towards the sky and anon swept along the hillside and over the waters of the harbour, one moment lighting up the Victor Emanuel and the next resting on a sampan under sail, making the ugly little craft look like some fairy vessel. Government House and Head Quarter House, with the surrounding trees, were thrown into relief like pictares in a lime light exhibition, and pretty effects were produced in all directions. The display was only of short duration, but was very beautiful while it lasted; before half-prst aine the blue lights were extinguished, and the electric light ceased to play soon afterwards. 49 vassels resuming their ordinary night appearance.
THE PARSEE CELEBRATION. Almost all the members of the Parsee commu- nity attended the "Jasan," or thanksgiving cere. mony, in celebration of Her Most Gracious Majesty's Jubilee, which took place at 9 a.m. on Tuesday at their Club House in Shelley Street, which building was elegantly decorated with Bowers and overgroens. All the Trustees of the Parsee Charity Funds, Messrs. H. N. Mody, N. P. Dhalla, H. M. Mehla, and E. C. Setoa were present. The usual religious ceremony was per- formed at the commencement, with appropriate
250
prayers
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