The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1902-08-12
KING EDWARD
IS CROWNED
SUBJECTS REJOICE IN MON.
ARcH's RECOVERY.
RULER HAPPY AS PEOPLE
Grateful to Show the Evidence Of
tiis Recovery and Possession of
Strong Constitution.

London, Aug. lO-lt was real cor
-naticn dag, not the mere spectacle it
would have been on June 26. Then
The people proposed to enjoy the most
magnificent show OF the age, TO ac-
claim q king whom they regarded as
| a typical Englishman and tirst-class
all around good fellow.
They hailed with genuine joy and
sympathy a king whom they have
learned TO love, who had been brought
close to them by his sufferings and
VINO has been made hero to them by
the courage ana will power he pos
sessos to lflng llim out Of the shadow
OF death to wear the crown of his
ancestors.
win my people ever forgive me?"
are said to have been the first words
of King EdaWrd when he came out
of Inconsistencies after the opera
ton over six weeks ago. Today, he
found that his people more than for
gave him, that he was nearer and
dearer to them than ever, and that in
the agony of his sick bed was that
touch of nature which makes the
whole world kin.
Brings Out the Best.
The religious character OF the cor
onation; its loyal side; its. binding
tie between the people and the man
designed 10 rule and guide the great
est empire Of ancient and modern
times, were far more evident today
than il the kings struggle for life
had nor preceded it. The cheers that
greeter the regal procession, alike
from millionaire and costermonger,
were far more heartfelt and earnest
than if!they had been tributes merely
to the chief figure in a splendid ma
tional exhibition.
The people shouted for Edward the
man as we'll as Edward the king. The
spectacle in the abbey surpassed all
previous coronaticns in grandeur For
the first time in British or any other
history the electric light was brought
into play to add to the splendor of
discoveries and that ;tco in its in
fancy, served to illuminate the corona
tion of the modern king of this
ancient empire.
Regarded as Happy Omen.
A happy omen, perhaps, of the pow
er of the English speaking races, that
keep in the front rank of progress
while still treasuring and honoring the
venerable customs of former times.
The king looked 20 years younger
than his real age; Queen Alexandra
might have passed for beautiful
and well preserved woman of 20. |
King Edward seemed animated by |
the religious spirit CT the scene, to
feel it's weight and solemity and to
comprehend it's obligations.
If appearances count for anything,
the king Of Great Britain will not be
a figurehead and the British people
will have no reason to regret his ac-
tive part in affairs. Maybe he need
ed the SOLDERING effect of his dangerous
illness. There is every sign that he
will use wisely the new lease of life
given him by providence.
Scenes of Rejoicing.
London, Aug. 10.-Such scenes of
jubliation have not been witnessed
before within the memory of man.
Every place of amusement is throng-
ed; every popular thoroughfare is
alive with rejoicing crowds. 1t is the
reaction of nation from the ankle
ties, the ever-changing hopes and
fears of six weeks past.
The king is crowned, and every
man, and every woman, too, seems to
feel personal qualification in the
event. Men and women break into the
national anthem as they walk along
and others john spontaneously in the
song of loyalty and love.
The stupefaction of six weeks ago
is contrasted by the delight of this
memorable day and night. At most,
it was expected that an invalid king
might totter feebly to the chair of
Edward the Confessor. What was
seen was king, erect and virile. bear
ing in certain paleness the evidence
of recent pain, 3ut every inch a king,
resolute, devout and de-
termined, as the sacred chant admon-
ished him, to play the part of man.