Here the procession was reformed, and wound its way to a bare hill in the immediate vicinity.

The King and Queen--the King still wearing the ancient bronze crown with which the Archbishop had invested him at St.Sava's--the Archbishop, the Vladika, and the four Archimandrites stood together at the top of the hill, the King and Queen being, of course, in the front.

A courteous young gentleman, to whom I had been accredited at the beginning of the day--all guests were so attended--explained to me that, as this was the national as opposed to the religious ceremony, the Vladika, who is the official representative of the laity, took command here.

The ecclesiastics were put prominently forward, simply out of courtesy, in obedience to the wish of the people, by whom they were all greatly beloved.
Then commenced another unique ceremony, which, indeed, might well find a place in our Western countries.

As far as ever we could see were masses of men roughly grouped, not in any uniform, but all in national costume, and armed only with the handjar.