BRITISH CONSERVATISM AND THE PRIMROSE LEAGUE ... - ideals

following passage is quoted at length in order to convey both the
atmosphere surrounding the celebration and the tone of veneration
adopted in reporting the event in "Conservative" newspapers. 20
The square pedestal had a broad band of primroses at
its crown and base and also at each angle, and upon the
panel facing Westminster Abbey was a solid tablet of
three blooms with the words "Imperium et Libertas"
worked upon it in purple violets. Here and there the
predominant colour was relieved by blue hyacinths.
Rising from the base of the whole structure and
reaching nearly to the front face of the pedestal was a
screen of trailed ivy, upon which in everlasting
flowers was worked "V.R., 1877," 21 and the late earl's
monogram. The whole screen was surmounted by a
crescent-shaped scroll with the words "God bless our
Empress Queen" in everlasting flowers. The wreaths
were numerous, and were arranged on each side of the
statue. They were mostly of primroses, and the
majority came from the habitations of the Primrose
League, Metropolitan and otherwise. Perhaps the most
beautiful contribution of all was a floral shield from
the Constitutional Club in Northumberland-avenue. It
had worked upon it in pale blue and purple violets the
words "Peace with Honour," a crown; crossed swords, and
a monogram. Scores of admirers threw over bunches of
primroses, and even single blooms, so that the ground
in front of and around the statue was literally covered
with pale yellow flowers. 22
While the crowds that gathered annually at Parliament Square
ensured that it always remained the single largest demonstration of
popular tribute, respects were also paid at Hughenden and indeed
sponsored throughout the country.
20
As Koss has indicated, The Times by 1886 might properly be
counted as a "Conservative" newspaper. Koss, The Rise and Fall of the
Political Press in Britain, pp. 286-87.
21
The abbreviation "V.R."
stands for "Victoria Regina."
22
The Times, 20 April 1896, p. 8.