I remember it
chiefly on account of the bitter northeast wind blowing. The five
pages drove together in an open carriage, and received quite an
ovation from the crowd, but no one had thought of providing them
with overcoats. Silk stockings, satin knee-breeches and lace
ruffles are very inadequate protection against an Arctic blast,
and we arrived at the Cathedral stiff and torpid with cold. From
the colour of our faces, we might have been five little "Blue
Noses" from Nova Scotia. The ceremony was very gorgeous and
imposing, and I trust that the pages were not unduly clumsy. Every
one was amazed at the beauty of the music, sung from the triforium
by the combined choirs of St. Patrick's and Christ Church
Cathedrals, and of the Chapel Royal, with that wonderful musician,
Sir Robert Stewart, at the organ. I remember well Sir Robert
Stewart's novel setting of "God save the Queen." The men sang it
first in unison to the music of the massed military bands outside
the Cathedral, the boys singing a "Faux Bourdon" above it. Then
the organ took it up, the full choir joining in with quite
original harmonies.
Pages:
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147