noon
We had a preliminary look round , and then there was a sort of general pause for breakfast . We took advantage of it , and attacked the sumptuous -- indeed , memorable -- meal which was served for us . The ceremony was to commence at noon , but at ten o'clock the whole place was astir -- not merely beginning to move , but actually moving ; everybody taking their places for the great ceremony . As noon drew near , the excitement was intense and prolonged . One by one the various signatories to the Federation began to assemble . They all came by sea ; such of them as had sea-boards of their own having their fleets around them . Such as had no fleets of their own were attended by at least one of the Blue Mountain ironclads .