THE INVESTURE PER ANNULUM ET BACULUM.

Mataura Ensign, Issue 1049, 24 June 1902, Page 3 (Supplement)

THE INVESTURE PER ANNULUM ET BACULUM.

An officer of the Jewel House delivers to the . Lord Chamberlain, who delivers to the Archbishop, j the King's ring, in which a table jewel is enclosed; ! the Archbishop puts it on the fourth finger of His i Majesty's right hand, saying:— j " Receive this ring, the ensign of kindly dignity and of defence of the Catholic faith, and as you are this day solemnly invested in the government of this earthly kingdom, so'may you be sealed with that spirit of promise which is the earnest of a heavenly inheritance, and reign with Him who is the blessed and only Potentate, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen."

The Dean of Westminster delivers the rod with the Dove into the King's left hand, saying : " Receive the rod of equity and mercy; and Ood, from whom all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works proceed, direct and assist you in the administration and exercise of all these powers which He hath given you. Be so merciful that you be not too remiss; so execute justice that you forget not | mercy. Judge with righteousness and reprove with equity, and except bo man's person. Abase the »roud and lift up . the lowly ; punish the wicked, protect and cherish the just, and lead your people into the way they should go; thus in all things following His great and Holy example, of whom the Prophet David said: 'Thou lovest righteousness and hateßt i iniquity; the sceptre of Thy kingdom is a right sceptre; even Jesus Christ our Lord? Amen.'" * * * PUTTING ON OF THE CROWN. The Archbishop, standing before the Altar, then takes St. Edward's crown into his hands, and laying it before him on the Altar, says : j "0 God, who crownest Thy faithful servanLs with mercy ■ and loving kindness, look down upon this Thy servant, | Edward, the King, who now in lowly devotion boweth his j head to Thy Divine Majesty (here the King bows head), and ! *as Thou dost this day set a crown of pure gold on his head, so enrich his royal heart with Thy heavenly grace, and crown him with all prinoely virtues, whioh may adorn the high station wherein Thou has placed him, through Jmus Christ our Lord, to whom be honor and glory for ever and ever. Ameo." The Dean of Westminster brings the Crown, and the Archbishop, taking it from him, reverently places it upon the King's head. I The Archbishop of York crowns the Queen, he i standing and she kneeling before him, and then, i both seated on their thrones, the King on the throne of St. Edward the Confessor, and the Queen on a throne on his left, and somewhat lower, their Majesties face the audience, who immediately, peers and peeresses, put on their coronets, designed according to their rank. The effect of the scene at this period is magnificent, and the King now being King <h facto, the multitude present acclaim him, the assembled tens of thousands outside cheer, and the great guns on ; the Tower of London boom out the first Royal | Salute. The acclamation ceasing, the Archbishop briefly addresses those present, and the moment he utters j Amen, the choir burst forth in anthem. PRESENTING OF THE HOLY BIBLE. | The Dean of Westminster takes the Holy Bible, which has been carried in the procession from off the Altar, and delivers it to the Archbishop, who, with the same Archbishops and Bishops as before going along with him, presents it to the King, saying :