New-York tribune., 1902-08-17
GROWING OF EDWARD VII
JAMES HENRY HEARS OF SOME CORONA
TIONS WHICH WE'RE MORE SIMPLE.

The who for many years was recognized
as the first gentleman in England when he was
the Prince Of Wales. Since his mothers death
he has been Edward VII, and the title Prince of
Wales has been conferred on his SON"
Yes, 1 know all that but king becomes a
king only when he has been crowned. and the
coronation Of King Edward VII did not take
place until few days ago. Did England have
no king OF queen in all the time between the
death Of Queen Victoria and August 81"
why, certainly. Coronation is only matter
Ct form, and Edward VII might have been
crowned in the presence Of his own family.
without pomp or display and his title would
have been Just as good. Why, just see the case
Of King Edwards nephew, the German En-
peTor. His grandfather. who was the first En-
peror of the new German Empire, was crowned
al Versailles. There was much military splen-
dor on the occasion, hut il was a simple func-
tion IN comparison to the one which has Just
taken place in England When old Kaiser vii
helms son. Frederick. became Emperor, there
was no public coronation. because the new SOY
ereign was an invalid, and although the present
German Emperor has been at the head Of that
powerful country for years he has not Yet been
crowned, and there VIII probably never be
coFonation IN Germany until the present Crown
Prince becomes Emperor. But William Is the
Emperor just the same"
Then why is the ceremony Of coronation
ever perforIned?"
Because ceremonies are popular and people
Ike the display ana the splendor which go with
such functions. once upon time coronation
was essential 10 power. That Was in the days
when the order Of succession was imperfectiy
established. Certain forms il the way OF anoint-
ing the new sovereign, investing him with Nari-
ors garments, weapons and ornaments were
considered essential, and even when all these
fcTms had been complied with he could not act
as king until he had been empowered 10 DO 50
BY the Church. Much of this conservation and
induction ceremony is stil practised, but it is
supeTfiuous because the authority of the new
sovereign begins with the death OF his pred
ecessoE, and that is why people who live in
monarchy say wher the ruler dies: The king
Is dead, long live the king"
Have the coronations in England always
been magnificent affairs like the one which has
Just taken place."
The coronation was stately and almost grand,
put 1t was not nearly as magnificent il would
nave been If it had taken place on the date
winch was first agreed upon. That would have
0eeh a magnificent function. But the corona
NOAs nave not al been conducted on such eX-
1aFagant plans. Some have been very plain
he coronation Of William ~ was extremely
SIMPLE He was q younger son, you know, Of
7oFge III and entered the navy when lad.
-1e rose 10 the rank of admiral and when his
Ooer brother died he became the heir TO the
'Alone and succeeded George III in 1880 The
eitdt people Of the realm came 10 him 10 ask
rs views about the coronation ceremonies, but
az mad little taste for such things and put the
matter off from day to day. Finally, one DAY
rs advisers pressed him again with the ques-
Non; When viii your royal hghness be
'U|ned| He became angry, and snatchIng
nun the council table the crown, kept there as
Al emblem Of royal power. he placed it upon
"iS mead and said: Ny lords, the king IS
N'"hed,' and that was the coronation winch
preceded that Of Queen Victoria
But how about the oath and the regular
prescribed ceremony"
Oh that requires no pornp any more than
le inauguration Of a President. You know
ula' told you about the great display at
"SShington when some Of the Presidents were
-"ogufated- 1t imposing and impress
"'e' but il WAS not necessary, and some peo-
p'e think that the naugurations for which there
1ie no preparations just impress
Eye"
winch were they"
andrew Johnson was sworn in as Presi- |
' ~ The presence of 4 few men, " ho were
'u With grief over the assassination of
ooll- Chester A Arthur became President
uhe United States when Carried died and
n "ie oath Of office in InodestIy furnished
=. parior of q Lexington-ave. house; and
cur present chief magistrate. Theodore