The Delta independent., 1902-08-15


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 to-day CROWN
ed without hitch or harm, and tonight
London is nOIsiIy celebrating the event
for which the world has 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 agitation 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 1t was carried out
with a perfection of detail and lack of
accidents that has rarely characterized
similar displays. That pride Of empire
which marked Queen VictOria's jubilee
was lacking, ana in its stead there per-
vaded all classes a keen recollection
that only SIX weeks ago their King lay
in danger Of death, and this to-day
produced thankfulness 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
v0iclng appreciation Of such military
display as the short procession gave
them a chance to see.
Earl Roberts, commnnder-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.
But 1t was for the King and Queen
that the people really let themselves
loose. Throughout tbs day, whenever
and wherever their majesties were
seen, the cheers were loud and long,
and especially was this 80 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
minds q nervous apprehension that
even at the last moment some unto
ward event might once more plunge
fthe nation into CONSERVATION.
! In Westminster Abbey the scene was
nothing less than marvellous. Nearly
u 900 members OF the nobility, the cler-
~ 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 dies, to do honor
70 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 q
dramatic cOntrctemps, centered around
the aged Archbishop Of Canterbury.
From the commencement Of the SER
vice the archbishop had the greatest
difnculty In reading or remembering
the prayers.
The book from which his almost blind
eyes endeavored to read shook In hin
hands, and when he came to place the
crown upon King Edwards bead. his
huge frame, towering above the seat
ed King, swayed 70 violently that the
bishop Of Winchester had to support
him. while the dean Of Westminster
put guarding hand under the crown.
1t was evident that the archbishop Of
Canterbury could not see his Kings
Ase@ur ANU aitcI kiuphB aiVunus ur
was just about to complete the most
important part Of the ceremony, when
1t was discovered that he had the
crown with the back to the front.
Slowly he raised II, but 100 late to pre-
vent the choir from prematurely burst
Ing out with loud God Save the
King" Amid tension that had
grown to a pitch of painful nervousness
tho archbishop finally mansged 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 nrchbish-
ops head fell back, his feet moved
slowly and mechanically, and thus he
was more carried than led from the
throne to King Edwards chapel where
he was revived.
The tremor which this event caused
had scarcely subsided when another
exquisitely human touch varied the
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 arms
around the Prince and kissed him, and
then recalled him and wrung his hand
that brought tears to many eyes.
To those who were able to see clearly
these two episodes, the nagnificence OF
the Jeweled women, the splendor Of tho
uniformed men and even the historic
grandeur OF the coronation office itself
sank almost into secondary Interest. J.
King Edward was greatly unnerved
by the condition Of the archbishop Of
Canterbury. and his maJesty sat in
constant dread Of contretemps,
though outwardly calm as could be,
Judged from the steadiness with which
he held his sceptre erect durhg the
ordeal
This brave show, however, did not
deceive the Queen. Throughout the
service, and especially as the arch
bishop OF Canterbury became more and
more nervous, her majesty paipably
dreaded thnt the King would break
down. With keen anxiety she con.
stantly turned toward her husband,
n Al a.