The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-08-10
Aged Archbishop Of Canterbury
Too Feeble for Ordeal
and COIIapses
NERVOUS FINGERS PLACED
THE CROWN ON BACKWARD
King ManfulIy Supports the Arch
Bishop During ceremony-When
Prince of Wales Pays Homage
Edward Embraces Him.

London, August 9.-Edward VII, r. L,
| by the grace of God of the United King
dom, of Great Britain and Ireland and
of British dominions beyond the sea,
King, defender of the faith and EN-
peror of India. was today crowned with
out hitch or harm and tonight London is
noisly celebrating the event for which
the world has waited, as perhaps 1t never
waited for any other coronation.
In all respects the celebration was i'm
pressive and was carried out with per-
fection OF detail and lack of accidents
that has rarely characterized similar dis
plays. That pride of empire which mark
ed Queen Victoria's jubilee was lacking
and in its stead there pervaded among
all classes a keen recollection Of Monday
six weeks ago, when 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 verified by the
Archbishop of Canterbury when he in
serted in one of the coronation prayers
the words For whose recovery we now
not prevent the public from voicing ap-
probation of such military display as the
short procession gave them a chance
to see.
Earl Roberts, commander in chief OF
the forces, was once more the hero of
the hour and next to the King himself,
received the heartiest welcome of the
assembled crowds.
Here comes good old Bob" was in
yariably the signal for all the reserve
power of lungs to be brought into play.
! Lord Roberts rode alone and constantly
bowed and smiled Acknowledgements OF
his greetings. Lord Kitchener was net so
easily recognized but he was seen - ne
rode with General Sir Alfred Gazalee and
Admiral Sir Edward Hobart. and was
the crowds next favorite.
Kitchener Lion.
At various points along the route OF the
procession, Lord Kitchener received thun-
derous ovations which he acknowledged
neither by look or bow, but as English
crowds are used to this treatment from
Lord Kitchener it quite failed to suppress
the enthusiasm.
But it was for the king and queen
themselves that the people really let them
selves loose. Throughout the day wher-
ever and whenever their maJcsties were
seen, the cheers were loud and long, es-
pecially 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 Alexandria had been achieved,
there fingered in thousands of minds
nervous apprehension that even at the
last moment some unseen event might
once more plunge the nation into conster-
nation. When this was passed the unre-
strained jubilation was as much tribute
to the kings personal popularity as IL
was an evidence of relief from the ten
sion of the last few weeks. &c. while
the scenes on the streets were robbed OF
many of those elements that usually ac-
company a great pageant they will long
be remembered, perhaps somewhat ten
derly, by those who stood on the stands,
at Windows and on the sidewalks to see
King Edward after he had won almost
from the jaws of death his crown.
In Westminster Abbey.
Tn Westminster Abbey the scene was
nothing less than marvellous. Less than
1000 members of the nobility, the clergy
and gentry potentates and leaders from
the furthest quarter of the globe. where
the Union Jack flies, to do honor to the
King. Two Incidents in the service in the
abbey will live in the memory of all who
witness them. The first of there, which
almost developed into a dramatic con-
tretemps, centered around the aged arch
bishop of Canterbury. From the COM
mencement of the service the archbishop
had the greatest difficulty In reading or
remembering the prayers. The book from
which his almost blind eyes endeavored
to read shook in his hands, and when
he came to place the crown upon King
Edwards head, his huge frame towering
above the seated King, swayed so vlo-
lently that the bishop of Winchester had
to support him, while the dean Of West
minister put guarding hand under the
crown. II was evident that the archbishop
of Canterbury could not see the Kings
head and after cropping around he was
lust about to complete the most impor-
tant part of the ceremony, when 1t was
discovered that he had the crown with
the back to the front Slowly he raised 1t,
but too late to prevent the choir from
nrematurely bursting out with loud
s.God Save the King. Amid a tension
that had grown to a pitch of painful ner-
vousness, the archbishop finally managed
RI nlace the crown correctly upon the
Kings head.
few minutes later came the climax
Of his feebleness. He was kneeling to DO
the first homage of all the supJects OF the
King. when suddenly he Almost tainted,
and would have fallen upon his sover-
eign's knees had not King Edward ten
derly but firmly grasped both his hands
and lifted him to his. feet.
Archbishop Breaks Down.
The bishops of London. Winchester ana
| Durham casped their arms arounu ,ne
Archbishop of Canterbury. the king KISS
ed his wrinkled hand the archbishop's
head fell back his feet moved slowly
and mechanically and thus he was more
carried than led from the throne OF king
Edwards chapel where he was revived
| The tremor which the event had caus-
ed had scarcely subsided when another
exquisitely human touch varied the pro-
ceedings and the king was forgotten In
the father. Instead of merely accepting
the homage of the Prince of Wales, King
Edward put his arms around the prince
and kissed him, and then recalled him
and wrung his hand with manliness Of