A REALISTIC SCENE. From a Times telegram describing the Columbus festivities at Huelva:–To-day almost exact facsimiles of the three primitive barques which bore Columbus and his followers to the New World were lying with sails set in the still waters of the Odiel immediately under the , white walls of the convent. As King Alfonso XIII and his mother ascended the low hill which Columbus trod just four centuries ago, the scene was realistic in the extreme, and not a little was the illusion coloured by the clusters of hooded monks of the Franciscan Order standing round the altar, descendants, it seemed, as they are followers, of old Prior Perez de Marchena, who stood so good a friend to Christopher Columbus when all the world scoffed at that they believed the visionary ideas of the famous navigator. Reuter says that yesterday afternoon her Majesty witnessed a splendid cavalcade, the most striking features in which were three large cars with allegorical representations of Industry, Agriculture, and Mining. The streets were thronged, but perfect order was everywhere maintained. Subsequently her Majesty signed several decrees having reference to the celebrations.
One of these appoints the 12th of October to be observed as a national holiday for ever. Another, in recognition of the services rendered to Columbus by the Franciscans, makes a grant to that order of the Convent of La Rábida. A third decree in celebration of the fourth centenary of America accords a pardon to five men condemned to death; while a fourth confers special honours to a number of towns which were i the birthplaces of the great Spanish conquerors of Southern and Central America.
The Queen Regent also presided yesterday at the concluding Meeting of the Congress of Americanists, when M. Nordensjold, the Swedish representative, read an address thanking her Majesty and the Spanish people for the reception which the members of the Congress had been given. The Queen Regent at the reception held by her Majesty last night conferred decorations upon the admirals and other officers of the foreign squadrons.
Reuter’s New York correspondent telegraphs:–The display of fireworks last night was as brilliant as that of Monday, and was witnessed by great crowds of people, notwithstanding the fact that the Roman Catholic Parade attracted several hundred thousand. Twenty thousand people in line marched down Fifth Avenue from 59th Street to Washington square blue and red lanterns being carried by many of those who took part in the parade. A platoon of mounted police led the procession. Mr. Grant, the mayor, followed in his carriage, and then came innumerable delegations from societies, clubs, unions, institutes, and lyceums, many of the. representatives wearing uniforms. The parade was reviewed in Madison-square by Vice-President Morton, there-being also present Archbishop Corrigan, numerous Church dignitaries, Governor Flower, and many prominent Catholics. Another event of the evening was a musical and literary entertainment given by the New York Catholic Club and the United States Catholic Historical Society at the Carnegie Music Hall. Archbishop Corrigan took the chair early in the evening and addressed a few words to the audience. Mr. Frederick Coudert delivered an oration giving an historical review of ” The Life and Work of Columbus.”
(As published in the Pall Mall Gazette)
