CROWNING THE KING.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CVII, Issue 12850, 24 June 1902, Page 2

CROWNING THE KING.

A ROYAL PUBLICATION. Whilst British subjects the world over are by Coronation festivities paying their homage, and showing affection for the Throne, it must be borne in mind that comparatively few have sot eyes on their King and Queen, who are consequently regarded principally in ah-impersonal sense by the majority of their subjects. To remedy this defect, to bring before the public the personal appearance and characteristics of Royalty, is one of the privileges of modern journalism. s Aided by the kindred arts of photography and engraving, it is possible, by illustrations and printed matter, to make every subject as familiar with tho various members of Royalty as those who are admitted to the exclusiveness of Court life. For Coronation Week, as on other notable occasions, the proprietors of the " Camterbury Times" have taken full advantage : of their exceptional resourees,and have been able, in their special Coronation Number, : which is issued to-day, to place in the hands of their readers a series of illustrations depicting the lives of King' Edward and Queen Alevandra with a vividness and completeness that could scarcely be credited. The story, told in picture and prose, is literally "From Cradle to Throne." The first picture represents the christening of the King, at St George's Chapel, Windsor, on Jan. 25, 1842, and isi followed by upwards of fifty showing both King and Queen at various ages, from childhood to tho present time. Historic incidents, such as the visit of the then Prince of Wales to 1 America, and afterwards - to India, and the opening of King Edward's first Parliament, are given due prominence. A notable picture is that" showing the marriage of the King and Queen, whilst numerous family groups illustrate the home-life of Royalty. ' Whole page artistic pictures of King Edward and Queen Alexandra will probably find a place amongst the framed pictures, by reason of their life-like fidelity and excellent delineation. To sporting men, por. traits showing Persimmon winning tho First Derby, and his Majesty leading the horse into the enclosure afterwards, will serve as a reminiscence of a famous event. The "Canterbury H'imes" Coronation Supplement contains, besides the pictures • already indicated, most interesting ropre- " sentations of previous Coronations, going as far back as the time of the Stuarts. The State Coach, Coronation Chairs, Coronation Vestments, the Regalia of Great Britain, portraits of the six Edwards who have ruled Great Britain, and the Royal residences complete a, remarkable "set of illustrations, i , , In the flood of literature with which the,/ modern reader is confronted, considerable difficulty must, of necessity, be experienced in selecting that which is of greatest interest, and which is essential to an accurate knowledge of matters pertaining to our King and Queen. The reader of this week's " Canterbury Times " will find in the Coronation Number a series of articles written by experts, by which he can, after a glance at the headings,; obtain any information in an attractive form that he is specially interested in. An indication of the scope of the reading matter. will bo gained by a perusal of the following special headings:—"Services and Ceremony in Westminster," " The Hallowing of Kings," " Stories of the King," " Curious Coronation Bounties," " Westminster and Coronations," " King Edward V 11.," " The Cost of Crowning King Edward V 11.," "The Regalia of Great Britain," "What the Queen will Wear," "A Thousand Years Ago," "Coronation Tragedies," "Coronation Notes." When it is remembered that tho Coronation Illustrated Supplement is part and parcel of the ordinary number of the "Canterbury Times," which'is sold at sixpence per copy, it is self-evident that purchasers will receive extraordinary value for their money.