New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-06-23

behind them with the second sword was
the d!minutive Lord Roberts. trying 10
keep abreast of Lord Kitchener.
By-play or this sort. however mao"
no impression on the siShtseers Inc
unique majesty of the glorious spectacle
was overpoWering. The professional pa
geant was converted at once into "A SOL
emn ceremonial. full Of medieval SYM
bolism.
The prelude was the historical "rccos-
nition.' implying in earliest times con-
iirmation by the people of the choice OIL
monarch after he had been lifted up on
the warriors shields. 1t was shorteneu
ana impaired at the last coronation,
when in place OF four proclamations
there were three only.
! one full ritual was restored wnen
group of dignitaries headed by Lord
/ Loreburn. the Duke of Norfolk ana tne
| Duke OF Fife was formed on eacn slde
OF the theatre. and George was pro-
claimed by the Archbishop of Canter-
bury and the heralds. The Archbishops
voice rang out with resonant power, ana
acclamations, strong at the outset, with
the help OF the Westminster boys in
/ creased in volume at every repetition
Z
yer trumpets. So was made square to
every wind the Kings state as constltu-
tonal monarch. governing with the con-
sent Of his subjects.
Placed on tho Altar.
! This dramatic prelude was followed by
a long pause during which all the regala
except the swords were placed on the
l.it to nd n
somnoent drone to the accompaniment
of Talisss setting The lntroit sung at
the last coronation was repeated from
one Of Purcel's scores. and the voices
came out well in support Of the organ
in Merbecke's song and i'm the Greed.
The sermon. by the Archbishop OF York,
was as prosaic as the music and deliv-
cred in a drowsy monotone.
When the oaths were administered the
King responded I'm a faint voice and
kissed the Bible while on his knees. II
ought to have been one of the great mo-
ments in the service, but the grouping
was ineffective and the trumpets were
silent. The spectators were not thrilled
until the amounting function had opened
with the "Veni Creator Spiritus." SUNG
TO an ancient melody of serene beauty
The orchestral prelude ~ Handlers an
them "Zadok the Priest" inspired re-
,ligious exatation The solemn process
sion OF the priests at Solomon's corona
ton seemed to be moving through the
Abbey with a steady march and wher
the choir sang the triumphal passages
there was for the first time music worthy
OF the supreme occasion Peeresses
ceased to toy with their coronets and
smart women in the gallery forgot about
coronation clothes.
The King by this time was in the
coronation chair. and four knights Of the
Garter bearing the gold pail and a clus-
ter Of prelates and chief officers of the
royal household surrounded him. while
the crimson robe was taken off and the
priestlike coronation vestments were put
on. The Archbishop's voice could be
heard. and the deans uplifted arm could
be seen during this passage, but the
King was invisible until the supporters
drew aside and he was revealed in the
full glory Of cloth OF gold, anointed and
consecrated like a high priest to the SER
vice Of the empire.
The symbolic rites OF the investiture
which were jumbled together at the last
coronation. were more impressive wher
taken slowly. These were the presenta-
ton OF the spurs. the sword Of redemp-
ton offered at the altar, the bestowal OF
the royal robe. the orb and two sccpters
the espousal with the ring and gift OF
the right hand glove.
Without understanding the symbolic
subtleties Of these ceremonies the spec
tators were thrilled by the glorious APP
partition Of royal power when the King