On Monday Her Majesty went to Buckingham Palace, her London residence, and received the notable foreigners who had come to do her honor, and the officers of her various governments throughout the world.

Tuesday was the day of the great procession, when the Queen rode in state through London to take part in the public thanksgiving at St. Paul’s Cathedral.

This service was held on the steps of the Cathedral, the Queen remaining in her carriage, surrounded by her family, her guests, and the soldiers—­joining in the service of praise with her people.

It must have been an impressive ceremony—­in the midst of a vast throng of princes, nobles, and soldiers in splendid uniforms, this quiet little old lady in black, listening with bowed head to the prayers, and then raising her face to smile on her people.  The prayers being over, the crowds, that had silently watched the service, with one voice joined in the fine old anthem, “God Save the Queen.”

The Queen was escorted to and from the cathedral by the most brilliant array of princes this century has seen.  Thirty-six princes, representing nearly every monarch on earth, rode three by three to escort Victoria.

Before leaving Buckingham Palace to go to St. Paul’s, the Queen sent a message of thanks to every part of her vast empire.  Arrangements had been made that Her Majesty should personally despatch these telegrams; wires had been laid and everything arranged, so that when she pressed the button in the palace the telegrams were sent forth to her colonies, straight from the royal hand.  In three hours replies had been received from all but three of the forty-three colonies to which her message had been despatched.

The Jubilee celebrations were continued through the week, with state dinners and concerts, and an address from the Parliament on Wednesday; a visit to Eton College, the royal school, on Thursday; a review of the fire brigades on Friday, and of the navy on Saturday.  A pretty busy week for a person of seventy-eight years.

The celebration was considered very remarkable as a demonstration of naval and military strength.

Fifty thousand troops marched in line on Tuesday, and at the naval review England was represented by more war-vessels than any other power possesses.

Troops had been sent from British colonies in Asia, Africa, North and South America, and Oceanica.  From all quarters of the globe people of many races, colors, and languages came together to acknowledge Victoria as their Queen.

The Jubilee week must have been a proud season for Englishmen—­they had a fine opportunity to show the world the power of their great empire.

* * * * *

The Irish members of Parliament persisted in their refusal to join in the Jubilee ceremonies.

When it was proposed in the House of Commons that an address of congratulation be sent to the Queen, the Irish members made a scene.