The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-08-10


or swept with their glasses what por-
tions of the abbey they could see from
their seats.
THE CEREMONY BEGINS.
The services commenced with the re-
| conservation of the regalia The pro-
cession of the clergy with the regalia
then returned from the altar to the an
mex, all present standing up and the
choir singing: 80 God Our Help In
Ages Past" Preceding the regalia came
the boys of Westminster Abbey, followed
by the children of the chapel royal and
the choir in royal uniform.
The Duke of Connaught took his place
beside the Prince of Wales in the Abbey
as the procession entered, bowling as he
passed the Prince.
The archbishop of Canterbury took his
seat liz front of the coronation chair and
the Earl of Halsbury, the Lord High
Chancellor, seated himself by his side
Several minutes elapsed, however, be-
| fore the King and Queen came in sight
of those gathered about the throne Sud
denly 'Viyat Alexandra" was shouted by
| the boys of Westminster and the Queen
walking slowly to the left of the throne
gained her chair and knelt at q silken
prize dieu her magnificent train of cloth
of gold being lifted out of her way by
six scarlet-coated pages.
Two or three minutes later came the
| hoarse cry from the boys of Westminster
of ''Vivat Rex Edwardus" with blasts from
trumpets Yet there was another wait
/ What has become of the King?" was
asked by people who were shut off from
sight of the nave. The Queen walked
patiently, the organ ceased and then re-
sumed, there was another fanfare of
trumpetS, another chorus of "Vivats" and
King Edward appeared and walked to
his chair in front of the throne, bowling
to the Queen as he passed. and then
knelt down in prayer. After dofting
his somewhat unbecoming cap His Mai
esty stood up and the Archbishop of
Canterbury in a trembling voice, read
the recognition, beginning ''Sire, l
here present unto you, King Edward the
undoubted King of this realm" etc. Thehs
there was a hoarse shout and the blend
ing of the choir and the people-women
and men in the cry God Save King Ed
ward" Several times this was repeated
and the abbey rang with the loud fan
fares.
Again the King and Queen knelt and
the Archbishop of Canterbury walked to
the altar and commenced the commun-
ion. While the gospel was being read
the King stood erect, supported on each
side by the bishops in their heavily en-
brodered copes In the singing of the
creed all the members of the royal fam
lily turned eastward. Both King Edward
and Queen Alexandra followed the ser
vice carefully, frequently looking at the
copies of the service which they held in
their hands
THE KING TAKES THE OATH.
The administration of the oath fol-
lowed. Standing before the Kings chair.
the archbishop asked: "Sire, is your
majesty willing to take the oath?" The
King answered in firm, strong tones;
Il am willing" etc, his replies being
easily heard high up in the trifolium
near the roof. Then the nk-stand was
brought and the King signed the oath.
He did not advance to the altar but sat
in the chair he had occupied since the
service began While the choir sang:
Come Holy Ghost, Our Souls Inspire,
the King remained seated and the Queen
stood up.
After the archbishop's amounting pray
CT gold canopy was brought over the
Kings chair and His Majesty divested
himself of his outer robe and then walked
TO the ancient chair, while the choir sang
Zadoks anthem. The Amounting cere-
mony was scarcely seen, owing to the
canopy The spectators were just able
to discern the Archbishop of Canterbury S
motions.
After the prayer, the King donned the
colobium sindonia, then resumed his
seat, and from scarlet, silken
roll on which the prayers were
printed in large type and which was
held by the Dean of Westminster, the
archbishop of Canterbury read the pray
ers and delivered the sword to the King,
who did not go to the altar, the sword
being taken to him by the Dean of West
minister, while His Majesty remained
standing The armiIla and orb were then
delivered to the King, according to the
program. When the King held out his
hand for the ring, the archbishop of Cans
terbury had difficulty in finding it. but
finally, with the trembling hands, he
placed it on the tip of His Maiesty's fin
ger, reading the prayer simultaneously.
the King himself completing the processe
of putting on the ring as he withdrew
his hand. Later the archbishop had sim
liar difficulty, owing to near sightedness,
in placing the crown on the Kings head
In face the choir started God Save the
King" while the Archbishop of Canter-
bury was still striving to place the |
crown on the rulers head and a great
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