The Life of King Edward VII: with a sketch of the career of King George VHopkins, J. Castell (John Castell)
History
The Life of King Edward VII: with a sketch of the career of King George V
Hopkins, J. Castell (John Castell)
Edward VII, King of Great Britain, 1841-1910
Following this function the Royal couple passed through streets lined
with troops and sailors and cheering crowds and at times presenting the
appearance of a net-work of colour, a canopy of bunting. In the grounds
of the Provincial Building His Royal Highness laid the foundation-stone
of a monument erected by the Government and people of Nova Scotia in
honour of the Provincial heroes who had fallen in South Africa. The
procession then passed on to a handsome arch, guarded by a detachment of
Royal Engineers, where the Duke inspected the members of the British
Veterans' Society who were drawn up on parade. Conspicuous amongst them
was a negro holder of the V.C. Thence the parade continued to the
Dockyard where the Royal couple went on board the _Ophir_, which had
come up from Quebec during the long inland tour. In the afternoon a
great review and massing of many thousands of soldiers and sailors,
infantry, cavalry and artillery, was held on the Halifax Common in the
presence of a crowd of spectators--probably twenty-five thousand in
number. The troops were under the supreme command of Colonel Biscoe, and
the Royal Naval Brigade included four thousand sailors from twelve of
Britain's most modern cruisers. It was a sight such as had never been
witnessed in Canada before and the review eclipsed in effect the
previous military spectacle at Toronto; while the environment of great
fortifications and a harbour full of war-ships enhanced the character of
the scene. Near the Royal pavilion was a stand containing six thousand
school children who sang patriotic songs.
After the review the Duke presented colours to the 66th Princess Louise
Fusiliers and was informed by the Lieutenant-Governor that H.R.H. the
Duke of Kent had conferred a similar honour upon the Regiment in the
early part of the preceeding century. His Royal Highness then handed the
war medals to the South African veterans and presented a sword of honour
to Major H. B. Stairs. In the evening a state dinner was given by the
Lieut.-Governor at Government House when occasion was taken by the Duke
to present the Hon. Dr. Borden with the medal won by the gallant son who
had lost his life in South Africa. A Reception was held afterwards in
the Provincial Buildings amid scenes of striking beauty and brightness.
The city and fleet were brilliantly illuminated and the spectacle one of
the most beautiful of the whole Canadian tour. The next day was Sunday
and was spent very quietly on board the _Ophir_. At night the Duke dined
with Vice-Admiral Bedford on board his flag-ship. On the following
morning the Royal visitors left the shores of Canada in their yacht,
accompanied by the fleet of battleships and with the cheers of many
thousands of people, the roar of guns and the sound of bands playing on
sea and shores, echoing out over the waters of the harbour.
THE ROYAL FAREWELL TO CANADA
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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