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CROWNING THE ROSE QUEEN BY WALWORTH CHILDREN.Favoured with Queen’s weather, the interesting ceremony of crowning the Rosiere, a beautiful pageant introduced into this country by the Rev. Father Nug6e, Provost of the Austinian Priory, in the New Kent-road, proved a great and unprecedented success on Saturday last. This year the crowning took place at the Alexandra Palace, which was kindly placed at the disposal of Father Nugee by the enterprising lessee, Mr. Willing, who not only granted free admission to over 1,000 children and about 400 adults, but also paid theirtram fare from the Elephant and Castle Station to the Palace and back again.In an article published in the Smith London Gazette, on Aug. 2nd,, 1870,on the Rev. Provost Nugee, and which has since been reprinted,°3orae account was given of the origin of the idea which was carried out at Muswell-hill on Saturday for the fourth time in connection with St. Austin’s Priory, Walworth, and its likeness to the ceremony of the May Queen. The Frencli custom called “ Crowning the Rosiere,*’ dated so far back as the year 525, when it was instituted by S. Medaid, Bishop of Noyon; but in the course of a few centuries it fell into disuse owing mainly to thestriugei\tconditions required of the candidates; and it was revived under the patronage of Louis XIII, As then, so now, the Rosiere is selected by the voice of the townspeople, and her election confirmed by the Mayor, who, after a service in thechurch, where she receives the blessing of the cure, conducts her round the town. The form of procedure prevailing in a limited district would scarcely be found applicable to a wide metropolitan area, and in the case of the Walworth Rosiere the Rev. Father Nugee names the maiden who within his boundary has most distinguished herself forher industry and good character, his selection being submitted to the approval of the congregation, who are given a week wherein to lodge objections against the candidate or ratify the selection. Father Nugee’s selectipn this year fell upon Ellen Capel, one of the teachers in the Sunday school, the choice of whom was approved with hearty unanimity. The. candidate who helps to support an aged parent is always a powerful competitor both in France and here, and in this respect, as in all the others, Ellen Capel fulfils the requirements, her labours materially assisting towards the happiness and comfort of her mother, a widow. As much picturesqueness was given to the proceedings on Saturday as the simple character of the ceremony would permit. A procession was formed at the banqueting hall, consisting of about 1,000 school children connected with the St. Austin’s Mission. The Rosiere and suite, dressed in white, preceded and followed by beautiful banners, marched t the large hall, where a vast concourse of people had assembled. The Rosiere took her seat in a chair of state, surrounded by choice flowers and ferns, immediately in front of the orchestra platform, whilst her attendants were grouped around her, and the crowd of juveniles filled the remainder of the orchestra space not hitherto occupied by the corps of ehoralists who assembled beneath the baton of Mr. W. A. Perring to sing several sacredpieces.The Rev. Father Nugee, who was warmly received, said the object of meeting there that day was not merely to reproduce a French pageant, however pretty it might be, but to embody an idea of true Royalty, of those high qualities such as were seen in our present Queen, and without which bo sovereign could reign in the hearts of the people (loud cheers). In the Rose Queen of that day they had a girl of high character, of marked industry, aud who supported an aged parent (cheers). The object of the meeting that day was to reward such virtue, and to encourage the working girls of South London to imitate such a good example. The working girls of London formed an important factor in the industrial population of London. Their numberswere estimated at about 200.000, and included60.000 milliners and dressmakers, 27,00G shirfc-makers and seamstresses, 15,000 tailoresses, over5.000 bookbinders, c. The object of the Rosierewas not only to encourage the girls themselves, but also to enlist the sympathy of the wealthy classes in their behalf (loud applause). Many schemes had been devised for their benefit, but there was one which he thought was an exceedingly useful one, and which he hoped someone would assist him in establishing, and that was a loan fund similar to what had been started for the poor watercress girls, concerning which the Earlof Shaftesbury had stated that out of £3,800lent out in small loans, only £20 was lost — (cheers) — which showed that those poor girls were worthy of support and sympathy. He was glad to be in the presence of so many printers whose fete was being held in the Palace that day, more especially as a great number of Ms young men were engaged in the printing trade. Printing was one of the noblest of trades. Who, he asked, was the first great printer? Who was it that had printed His name on all eternity, who had left the imprint of His love on our nature, and who had engraved Himself on all our hearts ? Itwas God Himself. He concluded by urging all present to always remember God m all their actions.Two little girls bearing the chaplet of roses on a cushion then stepped forward, and Father Nuge6 placed it on the head of Ellen Capel, at the same time uttering an exhortation, which, by reason of the sadden outburst of cheering was only audible to those iu close proximity to the rev. gentleman. St. Austin’s hymn was then sung after which Father Nuge6, with suitable congratulations, gave the newly-crowned Rose Queen a beautifully-bound. Bible and five sovereigns, an action that called forth another outburst of cheering. Presents were also made to the twelve maids of honour, and a gift of a sovereign each to several aged persons. After a few introductory remarks from Brother Gregory, a shoemaker named Houldsworth stepped forward and presented Father Nugde with a testimonial several yards in length. The document, which in two days had been signed by about 600 workpeople, testified to the high esteem in which Father Nugde is held, the great good the mission, has accomplished, and expressing a hope that tha mission work would soon be crowned by the erection of a suitable church. Other hymns were then sung, including au Ave Maria composed by the Mother, and commencing with the words- cAye Maria ! blessed Maid !Lily of Eden’s fragrant shade,Who can express the loveThat nurtured thee, so pure and sweet,Making thy heart a shelter meet For Jesu's holy dove !The procession was then reformed and proceeded to another part of the building, where an entertainment was given, after which the party were regaled with tea. In the evening Mr. W. A# Perring’s well-trained choir sang a number of glees in the Grove, their excellent singing being w armly applauded. It should be stated that the accompaniments to the hymns and some preliminary solos were played on the organ by Mr. H* Oolingwpod Banks, Mr. J. J. Lilly presiding at the pianoforte, and that Mr. Jesse Smith and Mr. T. O. Lockley gave the vocal solos in capital style. Everything passed off most satisfactorily, , and the party safely returned to Walworth highly r delighted with the success that had attended the fourth celebration of the Crowning. of the Rosa Queen.
Newspaper Details
London South Gazette Which Is Incorporated Camberwell News
London, Middlesex, GB
Sat, Aug 21, 1880
Page 5
Full Page
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USA 03 Oct 2022
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