Following these incidents came the return home of the German Emperor, a letter of thanks from the King to Earl Roberts for his management of the military part of the funeral arrangements, and a most enthusiastic reception to His Majesty and Queen Alexandra during a rapid passage through London to Marlborough House on February 27th. From this time on, during weeks of crowded work and the assumption of new responsibilities and functions, the King received many addresses of mingled condolence and congratulation. One of the first was from the Royal Agricultural Society of England which the King had done so much to aid as Heir Apparent. The President, Earl Cawdor, in speaking to the Council on February 6th, referred to "the keen personal interest which the King had ever taken in all that related to the welfare of the agricultural interests of the country at large, and especially of the Royal Agricultural Society. They had made many and many calls upon his time and thought." Canterbury Convocation referred to the pending visit of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York to Australia, New Zealand and Canada. The County of Derby the Royal Society, the Benevolent Society of St. Patrick--all sorts of organizations, political, financial, commercial, religious, scientific, official, artistic, benevolent and literary--expressed their admiration for the late Queen and their loyalty to the new Sovereign. [Illustration: A GROUP AT SANDRINGHAM PALACE The favourite residence of King Edward while he was Prince of Wales. The King is at right of the centre, and the Duke of Cornwall and York, now King George V. at the left side of the picture] [Illustration: THE HOUSE OF COMMONS, WESTMINSTER] [Illustration: THE HOUSE OF LORDS At Westminster, where the Peers of the Realm assemble in their law-making capacity] [Illustration: THE HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT AT OTTAWA The cornerstone was laid by King Edward VII in 1860] RECEPTION OF LOYAL ADDRESS