The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-08-09
Wax 0'ReII Cables Of London
and Its Throngs.
A VERY IMPRESSIVE HOUR.
People Responsive to Spiri'
Shown by the Ming.
TOO SERIOUS FOR LEvITY.
= Great Empire Awaits With Anxious
Expectancy the Hour When the
Crown Of Victoria viii be Placed
Upon the Head of Her Son.
Coed Reports From
TIE King.
TOO SERIOUS FOR LEvITY.
By MAX O'RET.L.
Soer;aI Cahie 70 the Times.

tSpcClal S-aDie 10 illc
1902, Y Wm. K. t1earSt
LONDON. A. NJ, August 9.-On the
eve OF the coronation and London seems
by no means excited. There are very few
foreigners. and the English city folk are
attending their business as usual. or are
away on their holidays.
The aristocracy make a better show.
The masses, which everywhere interest
me the most. as best showing the national
characteristics. are at home. The corona
tion does not attract them In the streets
You do not hear any cries; no bowling.
such as ] heard in June last, even after
the coronation had been postponed and
the King had undergone an operation,
and was almost In a hopeless state
Then carloads Of men and women werc
still crowding the streets to their capac-
ity. More people had prepared them
selves for the fete, and they were not
going to be done out of it. They had to
make a noise; 1t was the only thing
besides drinking. which the lower classes
of England call having a good time"
To-day l see no drunkards; l mean not
more than usual. How is this? Is it
that they care less for the King and
Queen? No; to the contrary, the danger
Gus Illness Of Edward; his behavior dur
ing the whole time; his thoughtfulness
of his people: his never-to-be be-forgotten re-
mark will my people ever forgive me-"
when he had recovered from the effects OF
the ether after the operation: the splen-
did devotion of Queen Alexandra to her
royal consort In the sick-room; her con-
slant watchfulness by his bedside like
tender and a skilful nurse-all that has
endeared them both to the nation. TO the
classes ard masses alike.
The Americans in London, more conh-
dent: We're Offering the coronation at 10
to in the bar of the Hotel Cecil yester-
night People I know tell you quite seri-
ou.iy that the King himself Is ANXIOUS,
and predict he'll spend q. sleepless night,
NIL the time thinking of that gypsy who,
fifteen years ago said to him: Thou
shalt be King, but thou shalt not be
crowned"
The appearance Of distinguished noble
men at the rehesrsals in frock coats or
c,,taway Jackets and coronets or curious
substitutes for the latter. and of peeresses
s,cra nbulating the venerable old Abbey
with curtain or rugs fastened behind
them to represent court trains to be
lrs;led on the small amount OF ground al
1otted to each OF them, must have made it
cif,cult to maintain gravity becoming
TO q proper sofemnity in this sacred edi-
flce
Even the venerable Archbishop of Can
terhury was very comical in acting his
1,art which. next to the Kings. is the
most important. 1t may even be said that
until the King is actually crowned, which
Will be tflIrty-five or forty minutes after
the beginning OF the ceremony, the Arch
f,tehop viii be the chief performer When
The crown Is on Edward Wis head His
Grace Of Canterbury resumes his part Of
subject, and takes second role in the rest
OF the performance.