The Elbert County tribune., 1902-08-14

Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
and of the British domInions beyond
the seas, King. defender OF the faith,
Emperor OF India, was to-day crown
ed without hitch or harm. and tonight
London is noisily celebrating the event
for which the world hns awaited as,
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 ngitation 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 a
sign OF weakness or fatigue.
In all respects the celebration was
impressive, and II was carried out
with perfection Of detail and lack OF
accidents that has rarely characterized
similar displays. Tint pride OF empire
which marked Queen Victoria's Jubilee
was lacking. ana in Its stead there per-
vaded all classes n keen recollection
that only six weeks ago their King lay
In danger of death, and this to-day
produced thankfulDess 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 MS the short procession gave
them n chance to see.
Earl Roberts. commander-In-chlef OF
the forces, was once more the hero Of
the hour, and next TO the King himself.
received the heariiest welcome OF the
assembled crowds.
But II was for the King and Queen
that the people really let themselves
loose. Throughout the day, whenever
and wherever their majesties 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 crowning of King Edward
and Queen Alexandra had been achiev-
ed, there fingered in thousands OF
even at the last moment some unto
wnrd event might once more plunge
the nation into CONSERVATION.
In Westminster Abbey the scene was
nothing less than marvellous. Nearly
1000 members OF the nobility, the cler-
gy and the gentry had gathered with
foreign princes. ambassadors, colonial
rulers, Indian potentates and leaders
from the furthest quarter OF the globe
where the union Jack flies, TO do honor
80 the King.
Two incidents in the service OF the
abbey will live In the memory of all
who witnessed them. The first Of
these, which almost developed into n
dramatic contrctemps, centered around
the aged Archbishop OF Canterbury.
From the commencement OF the ger
vice the archbishop had the CREATES.
difficulty In reading or remembering
the prayers.
The book from which his almost blind
eyes endenvored to read shook In his
hands, and when he came to place the
crown upon King Edwards head. his
huge frame, towering above the seat
cd King. swayed so violently that the
bishop OF Winchester had to support
him. while the dean OF Westminster
pun guarding hand under the crown.
II was evident that the 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
II was discovered that he hnd the
crown with the back to the front.
Slowly he raised 1t. but TOO late to pre-
vent the choir from prematurely burst
Ing out with loud 'God Save the
King Amid tension that had
grown TO II pitch of painful nervousness
tho archbishop finally managed to
place the crown correctly upon the
Kings head.
The bishops of London. Winchester
and Durham clasped 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 tho
throne to King Edwards chapel where
he was revived.
The tremor which this event caustt
had scarcely subsidized when another
exqulsitely human touch varied til,
proceedings, and the King was forgot
ten in the father. Instead of merely
accepting the homage of the Prince OF
Wales. King Edward put his arm,
around the Prince and kissed him, ant
then recalled him and wrung his hand
with II manliness of parental affection
that brought tears TO many eyes.
To those who We're able TO see clearly
these two episodes, the magnificcnce ol
the jeweled women. the splendor of tn,
uniformed men and even the hlstori,
grandeur of the coronation office itseli
sank almost into secondary interest.
King Edward was greatly unnervet
by the condition of the archbishop oi
Canterbury, and his majesty sat II
constant dread OF contretemps
though outwardly calm as could he
Judged from the steadincss with whicl
he held his sceptre erect durlng tn,
ordeal.
This brave show, however, did no
deceive the Queen. Throughout tn,
service. and especially us the arch
bishop of Canterbury became more ant
more nervous, her majesty palpabl,