Already many tens of thousands must have been present. To the right, ut the far and of the oval, facing: the Royal Dais,-n prodigious bank of white surplices, enclosing 'a Take of scarlet, was evidently the massed choirs, with their accom-Danying military band. The conductor had a tall red pulpit down on the cinder track.
The canopied dai itself, severe in outline, struck incredibly brilliant considering the lack of sunshine, Just scarlet, purple and flummery of ornament, but 'a massive crown above the centre, Two thrones below the crown, vaeant as yet, and the gilt chairs around rapidly filling with all sorts of important personages, top-hatted, turbanned, uniformed, frock-coated, even lounge-suited.
Yeomen of the Guard, in scarlet and gold—portentous, mediwval—were on a sort of apron stage. Gentlenien-at-Arms, in plumed hats, stood beside the thrones. Then to ight and left of the dais soldiers and police, in all colourings of skin, from the Dominions and Colonies. Dim memories of Queen Victoria' Diamond Jubilee, when the Empire, as we know it, was still almost a novelty, came floating, a trifle pathe-tie, curiously questioning.
And from the high ranges of the amphitheatre another questioning the starling-chatter of thousands of school children who will live to help write another chapter of Empire history which we elders should very much like to read, The youngsters had a groat tim: fall the morning. Their cheering was a. tonic. Nothing mechanical about it, but the sheer joy of delight in a jolly spectacle.
At half-past ten to the second the programme opened, and thru ingly, too. Say what you like about' the bagpipes, they do stir the blood. Just as, their white-spatted feat touched the track. the Kilted pipers of the Scots und Irish Guards Yoosed wailing music on the air and swung off playing round the a¥ena. Immediately behind came the massed bands of the Brigade of Guards Seats, Irish, Welsh, Coldstream, and: Grenadier—in seat let coats and mountainous
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.