Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-09

could give it in May instead of June II
he had to.
1t isn't the coronation itself that is
causing all this preparation and max
whose job it Is to maintain the ornamen-
tai side of monarchy. No, the actual
coronation, stripped Of all non-essentials.
is practically a big church wedding or
have already been legally married at
mayors office. The Archbishop Of Can
terbury performs the service OF confer
ring upon the king a series of symbols,
of which the crown is only one, and ad-
ministering to him various solemn oaths
which amount practically to promises to
the church which he has already given In
another form to the people. He Is as
much king before, the coronation as
would make no difference to the govern
ment if his majesty should not be
crowned at ALL But the people are ike
the bride who wants the crowd and ex-
element and pretty dresses of the church
wedding, and perhaps. too. the sanction
and blessing of the church. even though
she has already had the civil marriage
And 1t Is this phase of 1t that turns the
coronation into pageant and that pro-
vides its really entertaining features.
What the titled big-wigs are so gravely
bordering at the moment is approximate
ly who shall be bridesmaids, and what
shall they wear, and what should be
the exact number of posies in the
bouquet of each, and now long, to
the thousandth Of an inch, should the
stems Of those posies be? Questions of
no more real Importance than that to
the welfare Of the nation, aside from it's
entertainment, are what have been &C
tually occupying the attention of the
court of claims, consisting of such ire
mendous personages as the lord chief
Justice, the lord high chancellor, whose
salary is $4,000 a year; the hereditary
marshal of England. the lord president
of the council. the lord chamberlain. the
master of the rolls. a couple of judges
and half a dozen other high dignitaries.
They sat in the privy council chamber In
their robes of state and listened gravely
while argument was made as to whether
the Duke of Newcastle shall be allowed
to provide glove for his majesty's right
hand at the coronation, or which Two OF
three noblemen shall have the privilege
of carrying the kings spurs In the pro-
cession at Westminster Abbey. There Is
no evidence that one Of them ever laugh
ed, or even 6miled once, or that 1t oc-
CURED to any Of them how funny 1t all
was.
Here is q list Of some Of the claims
which were admitted without argument:
Bishop Of Durham-To support his majesty at
the coronation and have certain privileges.
Walker trustees-To be present. BY deputy.
within Westminster Abbey at the coronation. a
hereditary usher of the white rod.
Henry Scrymgeour Wedderburn. esq.-To carry
the royal standard Of Scotland
Earl Of Shrewsbury-To carry white wand
as symbol of his office Of lord high steward OF
ireland. II invited by his majesty to be present
at the coronation In that capacity. A..
kings right hand and to support his ma1esty's
right arm while he IL holding the sespter.
Earl Of Erroll-To walk as lord high constable
of Scotland and to have silver baton
Capt. n. r.. Wilkinson (Clster king OF arms
G. d. Burtchsell, esq. (Athlone pursuivantl. To
be assigned usual places at coronation pertaining
to their Offices.
Bsrons of the Cirque Ports-To bear the cane
pies Gf useC) within Weetmfnster Abbey, or ia
be assigned a station therein In attendance on
the king aud Queen
Dean and Chapter Of westminster-To instruct
the king and queen In the rites and ceremonies
to assist the Archbishop OF Canterbury, 10 re
tain the robes and ornaments Of the coronation