The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-08-10
Aged Archbishop OF Canterbury So
Weak and Nervous He Was Barely
Able to Perform His Part.
AN IMPRESSIVE CEREMONY
PRINCE OF WALES EMBRACED AND
KISSED BY HIS FATHER.
Cheers for Their Majesties and ova-
tions to Lords Roberts and Kitche-
REHABILITATION at Night.

LONDON, Aug e.-With pomp and splen-
dor befitting their pre-eminence among the
rulers Of monarchies Edward VII and AL
exandra, his consort, were crowned King
and Queen in Westminster Abbey to-day.
There was no hitch in the ceremony. al
though a few things happened that slight
ly marred the exercises, notably the in
ability of the aged archbishop OF Canter-
bury to perform his part well. On the
whole, hewever, the great function was
success. from a ceremonial point OF view.
and tonight London is noisily celebrat-
ing the event, for which the world has
waited as. perhaps. it never waited for any
other coronation.
The celebration impressive. and II
was carried out with a perfection of de-
tail and lack OF accidents that has rarely
characterized similar displays That pride
Of empire which marked Queen Victoria's
jubilee lacking. and In its stead there
pervaded 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 adulation OF King. This
feeling was voiced by the archbishop of
Canterbury. when he inserted in one OF
the coronation prayers the WOIuS AOA
whose recovery we now give Thee heart
felt thanks" yet this did not prevent the
public from voicing appreciation of such
military display as the short procession
gave them a chance TO see.
ROBERTS AND KITCHENER.
Earl Roberts, commander-in-chief Of the
forces, was once more the hero of the hour.
and next to the King himself received the
- Iad De
Here comes good old Bobs" was invari-
ably the signal for all the reserve power
of British lungs to be brought into play.
Lord Roberts rode alone, and constantly
bowed and smiled acknowledgements of his
greeting Lord Kitchener was not so easily
recognized, but he was seen as he rode
with Gen. Sir Alfred Gaselee and Admiral
Sir Edward Seymour. and was the crowds
next favorite. At various points along the
route OF the procession Lord Kitchener
received thunderous ovations. which he ac-
knowledged neither by look nor bow, but
as English crowds are used to this treat
ment from Lord Kitchner. it quite failed
10 suppress the enthusiasm. But it was
for the Queen herself that the people
really let themselves loose. Throughout
the day wherever and whenever their Maj
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 achieved there
fingered IN thousands Of minds nervous
apprehension that even at the last mo-
ment some untoward event might once
~, h. int
When this was passed the unrestrained ju-
bilation much a tribute to the
Kings personal popularity as it was an
evidence of relief from the tension of the
last few weeks. So, while the scenes on
the streets were robbed of many of those
elements that usually accompany a great
pageant. they will long be remembered,
perhaps somewhat tenderly. by those who
stood on the stands. at windows and on
the sidewalks to King Edward after
he had won almost from the jaws of death
his crown.
TWO INCIDENTS.
In Westminster Abbey the scene was
nothing less than marvellous. Nearly 1900
members OF the nobility. the clergy and the
gentry had gathered. with foreign princes.
ambassadors, colonial rulers, Indian po-
tentates and leaders from the furthest
quarter of the globe where the union jack
flies 10 do honor 10 the King Two incl
dents in the service in the abbey will live
in the memory of all who witnessed them.
The first OF these which almost developed
into a dramatic contretemps centered
around the aged Archbishop OF Canter-
bury From the commencement OF the
service the archbishop had the greatest
difficulty In reading or remembering the
prayers. The book from which his almost
blind eyes endeavOred 10 read shook in his
hands, and when he came 10 place the
crown upon King Edwards head his huge
frame, towering above the seated King
swayed so violently that the Bishop of
Winchester had 10 support him. while the
Dean OF Westminster put a guarding hand
under the crown. IL was evident that the
Archbishop OF Canterbury could not see
his KING head, ana, after cropping around,
he was just about 10 complete the most
important part of the ceremony. when it
was discovered that he had the crown
with the back % the front Slowly he
raised il. but too late 20 prevent the choir
from bursting out with loud God Save
the Queen Amid tension that had grown
10 a pitch OF painful nervousness. the arch
bishop finally managed TO place the crown
correctly upon the Kings head
\ few minutes later came the climax Of
his feebleness. He was kneelIns. 10 do the
first homage OF All the subjects OF the
King when suddenly he almost tainted and
knees had not King Edward tenderly but
firmly grasped both the prelates hands
and lifted him 10 his feet. The bishops of
London. Winchester and Durham ciasped
their arms around the Archbishop OF Can
terbury. the King kissed 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
ne was revived
EDWARD KISSES HIS HEIR
The tremor which this event caused had
scarcely subsidized when another exquisite