The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-08-12

London, August 9.-Edward VII, r.
T.. by the grace of God of the United
Kingdom Of Great Britain and Ireland
and of the British dominions beyond
the seas, king, defender of the faith,
emperor of India, was today crowned
without hitch OF harm, and tonight
London is noislly celebrating the event,
for which the world has waited as, per-
haps it never awaited any other coro-
nation.
In all respects the celebration was
impressive, and it was carried out with
a perfection of detail and lack of acc1-
dents that has rarely characterized
similar displays.
That pride of empire which marked
Victoria's jubilee was lacking, and in
its stead there pervaded all classes a
keen recollection that only six weeks
ago their king lay in danger of death,
and this today produced thankfulness
and genuine sympathy for the man
rather than adulation of the king. This
feeling was voiced by the archbishop
of Canterbury when he inserted in one
of the coronation prayers, the words,
For whose recovery we now give Thee
thanks
Yet this did not prevent the public
from voicing appreciation of such ua-sssss,
tary display as the short procession
gave them a chance to see.
But it was Tor the king and the
queen themselves that the people really
| let themselves loose. Throughout the
| day wherever and whenever their ma
| jesties were seen the chorus were long
and loud, especially was this so on the
return journey OF the king and queen
| to buckingham palace.
Until the booming OF guns announced
that the .crowning of King Edward
| and Queen Alexandra had been achiev-
ed there fingered in thousands Of minds
| a nervous apprehension that even al
| the last moment some untoward event
might once more plunge the nation in
| to CONSERVATION. When this was
| passed the 'unrestrained jubilation was
as much a tribute to the kings per-
| sonal popularity as it was an evidence
| of relief from the tension of the last
| few weeks. So, while the scenes on the
| streets We're robbed of many of those
! elements that usually accompany a
great pageant, they will long be re-
membered, perhaps somewhat tenderly
| by those who stood on the stands, at
| windows and on the sidewalks to see
King Edward after he had won al
| most from the jaws of death to wear
his crown.
London, August 9-King Edward ant
| Queen Alexandra were crowned il
Westminster Abbey shortly after moor
today. Though the ceremony was be
reft of some of the elaboration and pa
gentry originally contemplated, it lack
ed little in the way of spectacular per
fection. The whole ceremonial was o
a magnicently decorative character an'
presented a constantly changing pano
rama.
Around the two central figures en-
throned in their velvet robes, ermin
and cloth of gold amidst the distin
guished assemblage of actors, the fulfil
nent of whose various roles necessitat
ed constant movement, each stage o
the ceremony, with its old world usages
furnished it's quota Of interest, while tn
interior Of the noble church, filled as
was with officiating prelates in variou
colored capes, with princes and diplo
mats, officers in gold colored uniform
with herald, pursuavants and other OF
ficers Of state in medieval costume:
with peers and peeresses in rich robe!
with oriental potentates in many hue
raiment, with men of all types and a
shades of complexion from distan
points of the new crowned monarch
! empire, with its dazzling display c
jewels and wealth Of color, presented
picture which in its combined brillianc
and distinction has seldom been eS
celled.
Most of the positions along the rout
Of the procession were shickly crowde
hby o'clock and the spectators wer
furnished with plenty of diversion
; the marching and counter marching
! the troops, headed by their bands, an
| quickly passing state coaches. privaf
carriages and automobiles. Buckins