British customs and traditions.

One of the most interesting features of life in England which immediately strikes (поразить) any visitor to this country - is the cherishing ( сохранение) and preserving of many traditions, sometimes very archaic.

When one sees the guards at the Tower of London with their funny flats-hats their trousers bound at the knee (брюки с подвязками у колена), and the royal monogram on their breast (королевская монограмма на груди), one feels carried back (перенестись в прошлое) to the age of Queen Elisabeth I. And should you chance to see the Lord Mayor of London riding through the street of the city on the Lord Mayor's Day (день в ноябре, когда выбирают Лорда-Мэра Лондона, и он совершает традиционную поездку в Верховный Суд для получения ключей от Сити) with his red robe (мантия) and gold chain, his medieval ( средневековый) carriage, and all sheriffs, councilors¹ "and other members of his suite (свита), you have a picture of living history.

A number of other ceremonies are of a similarly, formal character such as the changing of the Guard in front of the Buckingham Palace, the Queen's receptions

прием у Королевы), the arrival of the Queen for the state opening of Parliament, the Woolsack in the House of Lords upon which the Lord Chancellor sits as speaker of the House.

There are other customs of a similar peculiar (своеобразный) character, such as

the searching (исследование) of the cellars underneath the Houses of Parliament () by half a dozen "Beefeaters" ( полдюжины лейб-гвардейцев) before the-opening of Parliament, in memory of Guy Fawkes (Гай Фокс) and the Gunpowder Plot (Пороховой заговор) in 1605.

Very interesting is the ceremony of the Keys ( церемония передачи ключей) which is centuries old and takes place in the Tower of London every night at p. m. Five minutes before the hour the Chief Guard, and an escort four in Tudor dress uniform ( форма времен Тюдоров) approach the gates. The sentry (часовой) calls:

"Halt, who comes there?"

"The Keys"

"Whose Keys?"

"Queen Elisabeth's Keys"

" Advance (пропустить) Queen Elisabeth's Keys. All is well."

All towers are locked and the Keys are finally carried by the Chief Guard to the Queen's House where they are secured (охранять) for the night. Now the only inhabitants of the Tower are ravens ворон). There is a legend that the Tower will fa]l if it loses its ravens. There fore the birds with clipped wings are carefully guarded.

A new tradition has been born in Britain. Every year (in November) a large member of ancient motor - cars drive from London to Brighton. Some of these veteran cars look very funny. This ran from London to Brighton is a colorful demonstration. People are dressed in the clothes of those times.

Дата добавления: 2015-11-14