The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1902-08-12
THE CEREMONY BEGINS.

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: 20 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 C~onnaught 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 il 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 "ViVat 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 a 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 waited
patiently, the organ ceased and then re-
sumed, there was another fanfare of
~, 100 onotba, aIar,,c Of Tiyat onl
King Edward appeared and walked to
his chair in front of the throne, bowling
10 the Queen as he passed, and then
knelt dow in prayer. After doffing
his somewhat unbecoming cap His Maj
esty stood up and the Archbishop Of
Canterbury in a trembling voice, read
the recognition beginning Sire, |
here present unto you, King Edward, the
undoubted King of this realm etc. Then
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 fam
fares.
Again the King and Queen hnelt and
the Archbishop of Canterbury walked -
the altar and commenced tho
ion. While the gospel was being read
the King stood erect, supported on each
side by the bishops in their heavily en-
broidered copes. In the singing of the
Greed 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:
L am willing" etc, his replies being
easily heard high up in the trifolium
near the roof. Then the ink-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 a gold canopy was brought over the
Kings chair and His Majesty Invested
himself of his outer robe and then walked
to the ancient chair, while the choir sang
~N'foh > 'iS1>''
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 donncd the
colobium sindonia, then resumed his
seat, and from a scarlet, silkcn
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
crs 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 armilla 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 AN
terbury had difficulty in finding it,
but finally, with trembling hands,
placed it on the tip of His Majesty's fin
ger, reading the prayer simultaneously,
the King himself completing the process
of putting on the ring as he withdrew
his hand.
Later crowned and sceptered the ARCH
bishop had similar difficulty,
owing to near sightedness, in placing
the crown on the Kings head.
In TACT the cnOlr 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
shout went up and the electric lights
were turned on.
AS the acclamations died away the
changing of the joy bells, the noise of
guns and the shouting of the people out
side penetrated into the abbey, where
the King still sat, motionless, his daz-
Zling crown on his head and his sceptre
held firmly in his hand.
After singing b Strong and Play the
Man." and the Bible having been pre-
scented, the King advanced and knelt
while he received the bencdiction. He
then walked to the great throne, where
he stood on the dais for the first time,
surrounded by mobiles. The Archbishop
Of Canterbury followed, the King being
obliged to stand while awaiting the ar
rival of the archbishop. Having placed
the King on his new throne, the arch
bishop knelt and paid homage, the aged
Drelate scarcely being able to rise until