62 
THE WINCHESTER NATIONAL 
PAGEANT. 
(Illustrated by the Lantern). 
By Mr. W. LEWIS GRANT. October 20th, 1908. 
Mr. Grant first answered the question — What is a Pageant ? 
It is a lofty and dignified representation of the story of a 
town or village in dramatic form. It is a great act of thanks- 
giving for the mercies of the past. It awakens a deeper 
interest in one’s home and country, and has its patriotic, 
educational and devotional side. The Winchester Pageant 
was held in June last, the object being to benefit the Cathedral 
Preservation Fund. The balance handed over to the Dean 
and Chapter was £2,500. Mr. Grant spoke of the enormous 
labour which had been going on for about three years, to 
preserve from ruins this splendid heritage. The cause of 
the subsidence which threatened the safety of the fabric and 
the measures taken to effect the necessary repairs were des- 
cribed and Mr. Grant stated that the total cost is estimated 
to approach £100,000, towards which a sum of nearly £60,000 
has been subscribed. 
Winchester was pre-eminently suitable as the place for 
a National Pageant, for it was the city of Alfred and the 
Saxon kings ; it was in its glory long before London became 
famous, and its massive Minster was the burial place of king 
centuries before Westminster Abbey became the royal mauso- 
leum. The grounds of Wolvesey Castle formed the site, and 
few plots in England are more full of romance and history. 
Some 2,000 performers took part, and the episodes covered 
our history from the coming of the Romans to the reign of 
Charles II. The work of preparation of costumes, arms, etc., 
was touched upon, and high praise was bestowed on Mr. 
Frank R. Benson, the Master, for his artistic power and 
infinite resource. 
