The Lamar register., 1902-08-13

ed without hitch or harm, and tonight
London Is noisily celebrating the event
for which the world has awaited ns,
perhaps, 1t never awaited any other
coronation.
There was but one untoward occur
renee during the entire ceremony and
that was due to the extreme weakness
and agitation of the venerable arch
bishop of Canterbury, but no harm
was done and the delay was slight.
King Edward passed through the
long and trying ceremony without
sign of weakness or fatigue.
In all respects the celebration was
impressive, and it was carried out
with IL perfection of detail and lack of
accidents that has rarely characterized
similar displays. That pride of empire
which marked Queen Nictoria's jubilee
was lacking, ana in its stead there per-
vaded all classes n keen recollection
thar only six weeks ago their King lay
in danger of death, and this to-day
produced thankfulness and genuine
sympathy for the man. rather than ad-
ulation OF the King.
This feeling was voiced by the arch
bishop OF Canterbury when he in
serted in one of the coronation prayers
the words, "for whose recovery we
now give thee heartfelt thanks" Yet
this did not prevent the public from
voicing appreciation of such military
display as the short procession gave
them n chance to see.
Earl Roberts, commander-in-chief of
the forces, was once more the hero OF
the hour, and next to the King himself,
received the heartiest welcome of the
assembled crowds.
But 1t was for the King and Queen
that the people really let themselves
loose. Throughout the day, whenever
and wherever their majcsties Were
seen, the cheers were loud and long.
and especially was this so on the re-
turn journey of the King and Queen to
buckingham Palace.
Until the booming of guns announced
that the browning of King Edward
and Queen Alexandra had been achiev-
ed, there fingered in thousands of
minds n nervous apprehension that
even at the last moment some unto
ward event might once more plunge
the nation into CONSERVATION.
In Westminster Abbey the scene was
nothing less than marvellous. Nearly
900 members of the nobility, the clcr-
gy and the gentry had gathered with
foreign princes. ambassadors, colonial
rulers. Indian potentaics and lenders
where the union jack flies, 10 do honor
80 the King.
Two incidents in the service Of the
abbey will liy" in the memory of all
who witnessed them. The first Of
these. which almost developed into II
dramatic contrctrnps, c"ntered around
| the aged Archbishop of Canterbury.
| From the commencement of the ger
| vice the archbishop had the greatcs:
difficulty In reading or remembering
the prayers.
The book from which his almost blind
eyes cndcavorcd to read shook in his
hands. and when he came 10 place the
crown upon King Edwards head, his
huge frame towering above the seat
| ed King. swaycd 50 violently that tn"
| bishop of Winchester had To support
| him, while the dean of Westminster
| put a guarding hand under the crown.
| 1t was evident that til" archbishop OF
| Canterbury could not see his Kings
head. and. after cropping around, he
| WAS Just about to complete the most
important part Of the ceremony, when
| It wns discovered THAI he. had the
| crown with the back 10 the front.
| Slowly he raised it. but too late To pre-
! vent the choir from pr"naturely burst
ing ouf with II loud God Save The
| King" Amid II tension that had
| grown TO pitch of painful nervousness
the archbishop finally managed 10
| place the crown correctly upon the
| Kings head.
The bishops Of London, Winchester
| and Durham clasln, their arms around
| the archbishop of Canterbury, the King
| kissed his wrinkled hand. the archbish-
| ops head fell back. his feet moved
| slowly and mechanically. and thus he
was more carried than led from the
throne 30 King Edwards chapel where
| he was revived.
The tremor which this event caused
had scarcely subsidized when another
cxuuisitcly human touch varied the
proceedings. and the X ling was forgot
ten in the father. Instead Of merely
| accepting the homage of The Prince Of
Wales. King Edward put his arms
around the Prince and kissed him. and
then recalled him and wrung his hand
with :: manlincss of parental affection
that brought tears to many eyes.
To those who were able to see clearly
these two episodes. the magnificcncc of
the irwclc1 women. tn" splendor of the
uniformed men and even the historic
grandeur Of the coronation office itself
sank almost into secondary Interest.
King Edward was greatly unnervcd
by the condition of the archbishop OF
Canterbury, and his majesty sat in
constant dread Of II contretemp>.
though ouiwardly calm rs could be.
Judged from the st"adinrSs with which
he held his Scoptrc erect du: hlg the
ordeal
I his brave show. however. did NOT
deceive the Queen. Throughout the
service. and especially ns the arch
bishop of Canterbury became mulp and
more nervous, her majesty palpnbly
dreaded that the King would break
down. With keen anxiety she con.
StnntlY turned tnMnrl her husband.