Traditions

Englishmen are very proud of their traditions and carefully keep them up. There are many traditions associated with some historical facts, parliamentary, court and state ceremonies, uni­versity life. They deal with customs, manners of behavior, hab­its of the people. Very often speaking of English traditions we think first of some curious theatrical ceremonies of the court or Parliament procedures.

Remember the English ritual of tea-drinking — tea, hot and , on all occasions and from morning till night. Tea in the morning to wake you up properly, tea for breakfast to brace you p for the day's work, tea for lunch to keep out the cold, tea — several cups — in the afternoon to cheer you up, tea at night to send you to sleep. Tea, tea, tea! To steady your nerves, to com­fort you, to help in business and even in romance.

Another thing — the English like the Nature, the fields, the woods, the animals, the birds and the fresh air. They go for a walk in all weather. And they are fond of picnicking. A picnic under a rain is a national feature of the English. "Better to be wet than bitten by flies or mosquitoes", they often say. Rain, snow, hail — no matter, they must be out of doors a few hours a day and take the dogs out too.

The state opening of parliament

The opening of Parliament at the beginning of the session is the most colourful as well as the most important ceremony of the year. Her Majesty the Queen, attended by a sovereign es­cort of the Household Cavalry drives from Buckingham Palace to the Palace of Westminster. The route is lined by regiments of Footguards wearing black bearskins which have for so long been a symbol of courage and loyal service.

At the foot of the Royal Staircase which is lined by House­hold Cavalry, Her Majesty is received by the great officers of the State.

The Procession headed by the four pursuivants wearing their tabards embroidered with the royal arms passes through the Royal Gallery and between lines of Beefeaters and Gentlemen-at-Arnis in uniforms of scarlet, black and gold. The Queen magnificently dressed in robes of state, crowned, and wearing many of the finest crown jewels, enters the House of Lords. The assembly rises to its feet. The peers are in their scarlet robes, the peeresses in evening dresses; the archbishops and judges in scarlet; the Diplomatic corps blazing with gold and decorations.

Her Majesty occupies the throne and says: "My Lords, pray be seated". At the Queen's request the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod proceeds to the House of Commons to command the presence of its members at the Bar of the House of Lords.

When the Commons are assembled at the Bar, the Lord Chancellor kneels before the Queen and hands her a copy of the royal speech, which has been prepared by the Cabinet. The speech is a summary of the policy which the Government in­tends to follow and the measures which it proposes to adopt. At the conclusion of the Queen's speech the Commons return to their Chamber. The Queen is escorted to her coach and re­turns to Buckingham Palace.