Page:King Edward VII, his life & reign; the record of a noble career.djvu/232

186 of this most memorable incident in the life of King Edward the Seventh by recording that the Queen sent to Mr. Gladstone, as Premier, a letter, which was published, on March i, in the London Gazette. Among its contents were these: "Words are too weak for the Queen to say how very deeply touched and gratified she has been by the immense enthusiasm and affection exhibited towards her dear son and herself, from the highest down to the lowest, on the long progress through the capital, and she would earnestly wish to convey her warmest and most heartfelt thanks to the whole nation for the demonstration of loyalty The remembrance of this day, and of the remarkable order maintained throughout, will for ever be affectionately cherished by the Queen and her family." On March 3, at the suggestion of Dean Stanley, the Prince and Princess, accompanied by the Crown Prince of Denmark, attended a private thanksgiving service at Westminster Abbey. The royal party were met at the great western door by the Dean and the Canons, and were conducted to seats on the Dean's right hand. Dr. Stanley preached from Psalm cxxii : "I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord". This was the last of a series of three sermons preached by him in connection with the illness of the Prince, and it was published at the Prince's request. The preacher dwelt mainly on the duties owed by the Throne to the people, and by the people to the Throne.