Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1902-06-19

the owing swells" will be able to
view the actual ceremony of corona
ton, the public in England and abroad
is taking more interest in that cere-
mony than in anything else connected
with the festivities. British exclu-
siveness will not go so far as entirely
to read all about what is done the
next morning. And such newspapers
as are privileged to send representa-
tives will have to employ their most
picturesque writer's for the day. 1t
will be a clever pen indeed that can
do justice to the riot Of color, the
display of jewels, the exhibition of
ancientry that will be provided.
70 The whole thing naturally strikes
the average American as somewhat
absurd, but it must be remembered
that there is hardly a detail con-
nected with the ceremonies in which
the king himself will take part which
has not its reason in some ancient
event or custom. In these days the
coronation of British monarch adds
nothing to his powers or dignity, but
it was very different in the days when
the king ruled over a number Of tur-
bulent mobiles, each of them supreme
in his own territory and each able to
give considerable trouble to his over
lord. In feuda1 times the king felt
a good deal more comfortable after
the barons had formally sworn al
legiance to him ana could be counted
on to aid him in case of need. At the
coronation service the paying of
homage by the princes, archbishops,
bishops, dukes, marquise, earls, Wis
counts and barons will be by~far the
most lengthy feature.
The Kings Clothes.
Apart from the fatigue of the cere-
mony, it is hardly to be supposed that
King Edward will be particularly COM
Portable during the proceedings in
Westminster Abbey, especially if the
day is a hot one. Here is a descrip-
ton of what his majesty will wear
when he takes his eat on the corona
ton chair:
The imperial or dalmatic robe. This
is three-cornered mantle, fashioned
like cope. One side is about three
and a half yards in length, to cover
the shoulders and hang down in front;
the other sides slope into train
reaching about foot upon the
ground. In ancient days the dal-
matica was a piece of rich embroid-
cry, decorated with golden eagles. At
the time of the British civil war it was
carried away by some of CROMWELL
adherents with the rest of the regalia,
except the ampulla and the spoon. At
King Edwards coronation a rich
cloth of gold will be used. The out
side is shot with gold and embroider-
ed with gold and silver flowers
edged with purple. The lining is Of
crimson taffeta, and the fastening is
broad gold clasp.
Then there is the supertunica, a
surcoat, with plain sleeves, of cloth
of gold tissue ornamental with gold
en- flowers, brocaded and frosted.
The armilla, or stole, is placed
about the king by the archbishop.
HIS FeSImeHI ID udu0 VI Tic Sduue
material as the supertunica and is
lined with crimson sarcenet.
The colobium sindonis, or surplice,
is the last garment to be put upon
the king after he is appointed. 1t is
made of very fine white cambria
The first section of the official pro-
gramme is headed the preparation -
The peers and peeresses, with the ex-
ception of those who take an active
part in the coronation ceremony, will
already be in their place in the
abbey.
The exact form of the procession to
the choir of the abbey has not yet
been determined 1t will, however,
doubtless almost exactly follow the
form at the coronation of Queen Vic
toria, In the procession every noble
mans coronet is borne after him by a
page, and every royal ladys coronet
by an earls eldest son.
Formal Service.
The interesting-one might almost
say Observation-Disclosures of the service
begin very soon after the king and
queen have taken their seats in the
chairs just before their thrones The
archbishop of Canterbury, accom-
panied by other high dignitaries, pro-
ceeds to the east side of the ''theater,' .
and in loud voice cries:
'Sirs, here present unto you King
Edward, the undoubted king of this
realm. Wherefore all you who are
come this day to do your homage, are
you willing to do the same?"
Then the ancient abbey will re-
sound with the shouts of all those
present. The archbishop advances in
turn to the other three sides of the
theater and repeats his question, the
people replying to each demand, God
save King Edward" At the last
recognition trumpets sound and drums
beat.
The king and queen, after certain
other formalities, go to the south side
of the altar and kneel at their fald-
stools.
The first part of the communion
service follows, and then the ser
mon. 1t is interesting to note that
the words, (which is to be short, -
omitted at the coronation of Queen
Victoria, have been restored to the
rubric for the coronation of King Ed
ward. Indeed, from beginning to
end the king, and the officials who
have been arranging the ceremonies
seem to have decided that, whatever
hannens time is not to be wasted