and Captain Craig in attendance. Then followed a scene that will
live long in the memories of that vast concourse of people. With
the men standing to 'Attention,' the bands struck up the 'British
Grenadiers,' and the whole division advanced in review order, in
perfect lines and unison.

"The supreme moment had arrived. The men took off their hats, and
the G.O.C. shouted, 'I call upon the men to give three cheers for
the Union, taking their time from me. Hip, hip----'

"Well, people who were not there must imagine the rest. Out of the
deafening cheers came the strains of 'Rule, Britannia!' from the
bands; the monster Union Jack was unfurled in the centre of the
ground, and the mighty gathering stood bare-headed to 'God save the
King.' It was solemn, impressive, thrilling."[57]

The following day, Sunday, was "Ulster Day," the first anniversary of
the signing of the Covenant, and it was celebrated in Belfast and many
other places in Ulster by holding special services in all places of
worship, which had the effect of sustaining that spirit of high
seriousness which struck all observers as remarkable in the behaviour of
the people.

This week, in which occurred the proclamation of the Provisional
Government, the great review of the Belfast Volunteers, and the second
celebration of Ulster Day, was a notable landmark in the movement. The
Press in England and Scotland gave the widest publicity to every
picturesque and impressive detail, and there can be little doubt that
the idea of attempting to arrive at some agreed settlement, started by
Lord Loreburn's letter to _The Times_, was greatly stimulated by these