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9 February 1908 — 3 Savile Row | |
Sunday. 9th [February 1908]. At 10 the Dss of Somerset called for me in her carriage & took me to St Paul’s where she had got tickets for the Funeral service in memory of the King of Portugal & the Crown Prince. Mrs Whitaker & her son joined us there. We got to St Paul’s by abt 10.30 & went in by the North Door. The place was crammed. The Band of the Rgt. of wh King Carlos was Colonel played sacred music at intervals very beautifully. At 11 the Funeral March was played by it as the King & Queen arrived & the whole congregation rose. A service had been arranged which was very impressive. The music was splendid. While the dead march in Saul was played by the band everyone stood—& it was hard to keep down ones emotion. It began by 3 rolls of muffled drums & then the solemn march very very slow. The anthem was sung without accompanist to the Kieff melody—& at the end of the prayers arose the old hymn “O God our help in ages past” by the organ choir & whole congregation. After the Archbishop had given the blessing there was a moments perfect silence & then the King & Queen went out down the aisle conducted by the Archbishop & the congregation dispersed. The whole effect was magnificent & the music rolled thro’ the great church. I thought that in no country or church could there have been a finer service & that it must have struck the foreigners who were present, for the decorum & good behaviour of all present. We got back about 12.30. Nellie & Charlie had been to the Guards Chapel & said they had had a fine service there. Charlie went out to lunch. Mr Duncan lunched with Nellie & me. Had a visit from Mr & Mrs Robert Gregory of Coole young married woman. She very handsome & striking & dressed in red. He looking a mere lad. Charlie brought Capt. Matheson home to tea—Mrs Whitaker also came. I went to dine at 17 Cav. Square. Edward was away. His brother Walter came to dine– Gweneth sang in eveng while Blanche & I chatted. | |
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