A SPLENDID SPECTACLE AND SOLEMN CEREMONIAL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVI, Issue XLVI, 23 June 1911, Page 2

A SPLENDID SPECTACLE AND SOLEMN CEREMONIAL

PRES3 A3*i:GIATinN. —CofXRIGHT. LOXDOX, Thu.-dav. No language can exaggerate the splendour and effect of the great spectacle London witnessed to-day. Resides its own population, half as many mill ions have gathered in this great metropolis to see the pa.gea.nt of the Coronation, or to take part- in the sacred ceremonial at Westminster, as generations have done oefore. For eight hundred yeans the people of England' have been joined in their reverence and- rejoicing by Royal Princes and envoys from every part of the world ; by representatives of venerable Empires"like China, and Japan : by delega.i.es from the East : by the actual presence of Indian Princes with pedigrees reaching further back than the Guelphs' or Stuarts'; Hv.d by representatives of the youngest and most advanced democracies. Besides of these of alien blood who come to honour the King, the occasion brought back to the Homeland thousands ot sturdv children of the British race who -have "built up new estates and new institutions of the parent type wherever the British flag is flown. To the forty odd Princes who come from foreign lands the Kind's Coronation was a i>ageant more magnificent than any o! them could ever have seen: but to the thousands of representatives and members of the Colonies who are now in

London: .to-day's great ceremony was not onlv an act of religious- consecration, but of" recognition of the kingly tie which binds the Empire together. Louden had been preparing for this i event for manv months, and the expen . ence of King Edward's crowning . nine | years ago atforded many precedents of j detail ;°but owing to King Edward's serious -ill-health that ceremony was somewhat curtailed. The Coronal ion of Kino- Qeorce V. revived many features j of earlier usage and -ceremonial. Happnv.~J however, the Coronation banquet was not included. On most occasions when , that feast was celebrated it became an orgie and an unworthy supplement to the religious ceremonial. King Edward s ceremonial afforded many precedents for the honouring of the visitors, for street decorations, for the use of military and police arid the control of the crowd, anc these 'w-ere a-dopted or improved upon to-day; i-i The "decorations were on a lavish scale. For-irve -miles of the Royal *out« every . vard had been subjected to special ad ornment. There was one exception, the Mali from the Palace to the Coronation Arch." which gives access to Charing Cross The north side of this long <ect : on was- lined with stands including one of large dimensions, opposite Stafford -House, which was mainly devoted to Colonials. The- ■rji'-commodafi'.on and fecdinff ot these visitors has been a serious nroMem Hundreds were food-less during the long hours of- waiting, yet all were well behaved. There were no s-cenes ot vul'intv. violence, or rowdyism as at George IV.'s coronation, when the very sanctuary at Westminster had to be Protected bv a bodyguard' of ■pmrilists, and the people were divided in their allegiance; - Everywhere to-day, there was intense loyalty and enthus.OT. Iho crowds cheered everybody ot note and especially Lord Kitchener, who had con- ' trol of all the. military. He rode up and down the line, inspecting here and arranging there, before taking his most nrominent place in the procession, and later joining in- the Abbey ceremonia.. The Imperial Prince of Germany, who has beeri more than ever popular w.th Eno-lishmen --ii.ee his Indian tour, was received with delighted cheers, as were others whom the crowd recognised in the stately procession. _ The programme of .cleanmr the stic-<n-and stopping traffic, foot and vch.cnar was perfectly completed by nine o clock and at thai hour every part ot the routC suffused with Jch-o masses o> colour.-the shimmer of„.s eel v.nd an expectant multitude "f tht. ic

THE WHOLE WORLD REPRESENTED, TRIBUTES FRO?,? EriST AND WEST. EifiPERORS,''KINGS, AND PRINCES. STATESSVIEN AND DIPLOMATISTS. LONDON A ' GiTY BEAUTIFUL," SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF THE EMPIRE. GREATEST ASSEMBLAGE iN NiODERN.HISTORY.

gal princes and distinguished representatives who were not lodged at the Palace were accommodated at many hotels, ±wid some at private mansions tent to the Crown.

All these assembled at the Palace after an early breakfast .and precisely at 9.30 -the procession started for the Abbey. The whole avenue of trees in their June verdure required- only a few coloured flags or masts to supplement the beauty -of the Park ; but from Charing Cross to the Abbey/i there was a wealth of ornamentation, and from Charing Cross to the War Office masts bearing shields amid national flags connected by -'garlands. Tii' Whitehall Corinthian pillars carrying the armorial bearing of all the Sovereigns from William the Conqueror were connected by green festoons. In the centre of Whitehall New Zealand's triumphaJ: arch., designed bv Mr Frank Bra.ngwyn, was gay with the Dominion's new coat of arms, capped by the Imperial Crown, and decorated with pilasters bearing medallions of George and Man-, Edward, Victoria, Captain Cook, and Sir Joseph Ward. It is a handsome design, but suffers through being ouly 35 feet high. A little further South Ontario has- erected two pylons suitably decorated.

All Whitehall was a. broad sanctuary of masts, festoons, and strings of flags and bunting of every design was flying everywhere. Parliament Square a.nd St. Margarent's Churchyard were completely covered by stands, whose .sturdy businesslike designs were concealed under scarlet cloth, flags, and floral decorations.

Going back to Charing Cross on the return journey the route was along GCckspur-street, Pall Mall, St. James' Street, Piccadilly, and Constitution Hill, to the Palace. In Pall Mali were masts with Crowns carrying the names of the Dominions and other parts of the Empire, and hanging flower baskets and -festoons. This section of Cubland is not so handsome as St. James'-street, where there w-a a fine scheme of festoons similar to the decorations of 1902. Piccadilly was illuminated, as well as decorated"its entire length on the design of Messrs William Richmond, Brangwyn, and' others. There were no special decorations along Constitution Hill. Besdes. the above general scheme, there were thousands of individual decorations, some houses being completely garlanded with flowers. There were illuminations on every princpal building and clubhouse along the route, and- all the stands were decorated wt'h bunting.

The public began taking their places at ayilight. amfr by seven o'clock the thoroughfares wer e becoming impassable as the troops, of whom 60.000 were .on duty, were moving to line the route. Bands of music, carriages, and- motor cars for privileged visitors mado up a scene of striking animation. Not all- the peers a.nd.' peeresses went to the Abbey by vehicle, many travelling by. a special steamer from Chelsea, where they made strange boatlods of brilliant colour, for all wore their robes or w-ere in Court suits, and carried their coronets in their hands. These landed at Westminster Pier, and traversed the Palace Yard'. The entire soldiery was in gala costume, their brilliant uniforms contributing picturesque .effects. Twentyfive thousand police also helped to pi'eserve order, and to avoid fatal crushings of the peoplo all the streets debouching upon the route were strongly ban-Leaded. Still the (pressure was enormous. THE ROYAL PROGRESS. THE PROCESSION. There were twenty-four carriages in - all, fourteen in the first group conveying- Roval representatives and guests. The Prince of Monaco and the representatives of Egyr,t and Ethiopia led in the -van. and the "German prineej.ings and China's gaily dressed' Ambassador came next. and then the Prince and Princess of Saxe-Coburg and linden, the young Prince George of Greece, the Ehike of Saxe-Coburg. and Prince Henry

of til© Netherlands. In the seventh landau were the French and Bavarian representatives, with Mr Mayes Hammond, from Washington, the one solitary person amid all the finery and gala uniforms who was in- plain mui iri dress. Of the occupants of the following carriage Prince Henry of Prussia, the Kaiser's brother, was the most conspicuous. Then came the Hereditary and Grown Princes and Princesses, Danilo of Montenegro, the Crw.n Princes of Sweden and Bavaria. Prince Chakrabonga of Si am in native dress and wearing splendid jewels, tlie Crown Prince of Roumaaiiu. Pri.nee Alexander of Servia, a.nd the Crown Prince of Denmark. In the carriage with Prince and Princess Fu-s-himi of Japan were the Crown Prince and Princess of Greece. Next followed the Duke of d'Aosta, the Grand Duke Boris-, and the Spanis-h Infa.nte Fernando. In the fourteenth carriage- were.the G-erJUjuii! Imperial Pi'mee' a.nd Pri.u-< cess-, the Archduke Charles, the Emperor Francis Joseph of Austria, and Prince Youssouf Izzedin Etfendi. who may some day. be the- Sultan of Turkey. Tlie next- section of the procession consisted of five State, la.ndaus contain ing members of our own Royal Family, the Dukes of Schleswig-HoLstein. Teck, and Battenburg, the Dowager Duchess of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, the Duchesses of Albany. Connaught. and Argyll, Prin-■ces-s-es* Patricia. of Battenburg. the. Princess Christian of Sehleswig-Hol-stein. and the Princess Royal. Qu-ee ; ra Alexandra and her daughter Victoria. Dowager Empress of Russia, went to Sandvingham early in the week to correct a- silly suggestion that the. Queen Mother withdrew herself out of jealousy or ill-will, an absolutely ridiculous "idea. It should bo wealed that crowned personages do not- attend coronations, for all present must directlv or indirectly make homage to the new' Sovereign.

Thje fifth carriage of the Royal- section con-fumed- the Princes of Wales, George, Henry, and Albert, and Princess Mary. These young people were recognised along the entire route and wildly cheered.

Next came their, parents, and. none got Mich a tremendous reception. The third, or the King's section of the pro cession, left the Palace at 10.30. escorted by the Royal Horse Guards. After the four landaus containing the maidis of j •honour, nTOums. chamberlains, and lordsin waiting, ca.mr> the last conveying Lord Spencer, the Lend Chamberlain, j Lord: Chesterfield. Lord Steward. the Countess of Minto. Lady-in-Waiting, j and tile Duchess of Devonshire. M.istress of the Robes, the most important oflicials in tho Queen's service, who played I a leading part at Her Majesty's right han<l in ail to-d-ay's- ceremonies. The. colonial contribution to this part of tlie day's proee-ed'ings was not very strong. "Twenty-five 'Australian officers and non-cowmanissionod oflicers formed' one of the guards within the Palace curtilage,' or were on. street duty, arid the Australian, cadets assisted .in lining the route. Not far away a strong Canadian contingent of over 6CO lined na<t , of the Mall. Sixteen officers a.nd 3o men. under Colonel Bauchop, formed a guard near Queen Victoria's new memorial, with a detacbmient of Australian bluejackets who are undergoing training here. When the landaus had swept by there | came into view the "most- picturesque scene of the procession, a Navy and ;Army escort of nearly two hundred of the men best known in the service. There were aide-de-eaanps. general officers, in-spectors-general'. Field Marshals Sir Evelvm Wood. Lord Grenfell. Lord . Roberts, -and' members, of the War Office staff, members of the Army Council, a . crowd of marshalmen and equerries, es- ' corts of colonial cavalry. Colonel R. Heaton Rhodes and Major Percy John- i ston, of New Zealand, were included. This brilliant cavalcade of varied uni- \ forms made up a striking scheme of • colour, which stood* markedly out even : amid the blaze and glitter of the sur- ; rounding scene where all was colour and animation. Behind this magnificent pro- . cession there rolled along the old Royal coach, immediately surrounded by an escort of Guards ', followed by the ' bronzed' and manly figure of lx>rd Kit- ; ehener with the Royal Standard, occupying the .place of honour next his Sove■re.rg.n-. The King wore a military uniform.

The Queen was in a. duchespe satin coronation gown of the princess pattern, and wearing the -Mary's gift, ibv Garter, on her arm. Their Majesties 'had a. splendid ovation, and- ,it'is impossible to describe the enthusiasm. Both looked radiantly happy. Lord Riteheiwr rode at the bind- wheel of the State uoach. and immediately after came, the Duke of CoHuaught and Prince Arthur of Ooim-aught a.ud their equerries., then Prince Louis o-f Batten-burg, the Duke of Teek. Earl Gra.na'rd, the Master of the Horse, Silver Sticks, and Royal Grooms. THE STANDARD BEARERS. LONDON, Thursday The Standard of Australia was b<>rno by Lord Northcote. and New Zealand s new Standard bv Lord Plunket, South Africa's bv Lord Sel-borne. Canadas by the Earl of Aberdeen. India's by Lord Curzon, Wales' by Lord Mo.styn, and

Ireland's by .Mr. T. P. O'Connor. ALP. The Royal Standard was entrusted to Lord Ldiii-tluwiie, the Standard of the Union-to the Duke of Wellington, that of England to'Alr. Frank Dymoke, the King's Champion, and 1 .< .f Scotland to Mr. Henry Scrymgeour Wedderburn. An historically interesting part of the procession related to the regalia. The Bishop of Ripo-n carried the Bible, the Bishop of Winchester the- chalice, the Bishop of London the paten, the Duke of Northumberland St. Edward's Crown. the Duke of Somerset the -Orb, the Duke of Richmond the Sceptre with the dove, Lord Beaufort the curtana, .Uo-rd lloberts.the second sword, Lord Kitchener the third sword. Lord Grey of Ruthy-n carried the spurs, the Duke of Argyll the Seeptre with the Cross, and/ the Duke of Roxburgh Edward's ventrablo and staff. The Queen's regalia and Crown were entrusted 1 to the Duke of Devonshire, the sceptre with the crows to the Marquis of Waterfoird, and the Ivory Rod to Earl Durham. The King's canopy was borne by the Earls of Cadogan. R.osebery. Crewe, and Alinto, and the Queen's canopy by the four tail and handsome Duchesses of Hamilton, Portland, Montrose and Sutherland. The King had eight young train: bearers andtiie Queen six oarls' daughters. AT WESTMINSTER ABBEY. Amid these stirring happenings in the streets the Abbey was- filling up With the privileged ticket-holders, and before 9.30 nearly 4000 people entered the sacred building. The peers ijx their State r >bes o f.-varlet and ermine were on the sloping tribune filling the whole- of the south transept, and the peeresses on a similar gallery in the north transept. The body of the r.ave was crowded with -ohrials and favoured persons, while the choir was given up to those who had for mod the second section of the proeession. This part of the building and the ga'loricts over and flanking the choir were also devoted to Cabinet Ministers, past and present judges, the mo-re. prominent colonial officials, Indian chiefs, and diplomats, the whol<» group being the most distinguished persons in the building after the royalties and peers. Sir Joseph Ward was in one of the choir stalls, and was accompanied bv Lady Ward, and, like Sir George- Re id",

wore his Privy Cou.ncilloi''s uniform. Mr. Fisher and the Agents-General wore levee dresses. Those who could l not bo placed elsewhere* were sent either to the nave or "skied" with the pressmen in the? triiorum. The occupants of the

nave only saw the procession go;ng to and returning from the ea,git end of' the church, for the choir screen shuts off all view beyond- it. The position assigned, to the royalties is in the chancel adjoining, but overlooking the facrarium or space before the Altar on the south side, the large royal box and small gallery above where the King's friends and

most distinguished relatives' sit .being only a. few feet from those taking an actual part in the service. The Prince of Wales, whose train was borne by pages, was seated in - the centre of one .C'f three chairs on the floor of the theatre at the foot of the peers' tribune in the south tra-nspet, the one to the right being cc: cupied by the Duke of Con naught and

the cne to the left by .another duke. Tire entire floor of the sacraruvm. and the space under -the lantern were devoted to the days ceremenv. The Duke of Norfolk (Earl Marshal), the Gold Sticks, and every participator in the «remony had been- well drilled by many rehearsals, and before 11.30 the Coronation services began. As the -ecclesiastical procession advanced through the west doors the Archbishop and Bishops vested in the copes and other dignitaries in scarlet hoods and l surplices, a thrilling fanfare of silver trumpets heralded their approach. Sir Frederick Bridge's magnificent and supplemented choir broke forth into Parry's anthem, "I was Clad," in the procession to the theatre. Imperial magnificence wa,s- given to today's event by the Standards' of the overseas dominions, India, and' Wales, in addition, to these of England, Scotland and Ireland.

This stately procession of nearly 400 took their allotted places during the anthem. When the King walkedl along the nave and "choir the Westminster boys in the triforum shouted "Vivat Rex ! Vivat Regina!" everybody else standixiir silent.

The King and Queen had donned their trains in the annexe. Queen Mary's was of a royal shade silk vering over silk velvet, eighteen feet long and lined with ermine, the wfiole covering over sixty square, feet. It wa.si a great weii.ght andi required dexterous managing by the bearers to enable, the Queen to walk comfortably. When the King and Queen reached the Chairs of State and had made their private prayers, the first act was their recognition, according to th 0 programme. Scarcely had' the Archbishop aof Canterbury finished his presentation to- the four sides of the theatre when the people signified their willingness by repeating acclamations of "God Save the King!" The regalia, was placed on the Altar. The Litany was sung by the 73 i shops of -Oxford" and liath and Wells. ,and the sermon by the Archbishop of York followed, thereby ending the introductory portion of the ceremony. The Archbishop of Canterbury then administered ttaa Coronation Oath, promising to maintain the laws of (!od, the Protestant Reformed religion, and' the .rights and privileges of the bishops and clergy.

Tile Kin- :i.l ,:.::,•,,I !'>om hi: cli.:iir to flu- Altar. K,;:-ii n 11.. r< •■..••.. 1.. *,-d llu> !Vok. and d.rland -.i.;u lie- v,..u'.,l per firm i :iihJ keep his .'iji in,! ji,.,mist'. His Maje.-Iv had iil.-t lurivnl chivi'S and nviit ions uh. :i In- ;:d-d i . ■■wi'd liis people a:hl his l.id-. !!:• said lie had born haP.rd ns ihe :•,. rprr.i to nil.? tho l v :7iii..i-.' il:..' \'..i ! ,l had ever i-.1-'ll. Hi' 11.-W I'.l, .'.,':,[ .| l,i> OV, || lllimage like any oi .1; n:i: y mortal to the Kill U of Kill LTS. As an inl ru(lii,-'-ii>:i I t!u anointing tlu? entire ccugvega: ion linn km; it. an-d Sang the "'Veni Crca l '■!•." While tho choir wiij .= i - Han-dcl's ' : Zadook tho Priest." the Lord Chanibtrlai.n to k oil' tho Kind's outer robe, and his .Majesty .seated himself in King ivdwaid's Ch.air uiKl.e:- the pall of the c'.i.th of gold, support; :1 by four C'.aricr Knights. Tho Dean <if Wistmiusier poured oil fn in the am.ruilla ui';> I lie spi.i.n. ami 1 tho A i-rhhi.-liDp of Canterbury anointed his he in I. breast, and ha.nds. "While the Ki tiLC knelt the Arehb>hop. standing over him. p:c.iiouir t d the bli .-sing. Tho Dean Kit' Westminster then cioihedi King with 111-.'. colobium' siiukuii.s. like a surnliee . r rhi.rt. and the supertunica, of the cloth of gold, and also the girdle recently presented to his .Majesty by th-e Cird'.ers' Company. Tho girdliaig with the .''.wo d f Mowed, and the King's ungirdling wiih his own hand and the layiiiLT of the weapon on the altar. It was immediately redeemed by the Loixl Bea.rer and during the rest of the service carried before the King. After another clumge of the royal dress, when the i^ord'fireat Chamberlain had clothed the KiiiL; with the armill. or stole, into which haddieen worked for this Cognation the symbols of the Dominions, the Kinir was e'nfokled, in th.? pallium or open pall as opposp.il to supertunca or closed pall, li was a magnificent piece of de-o rated fabric, and glittered in t'he sunlight as fresh a< when it was made. Thus clothed th-:> Archbishop of Canterbury presented him with Orb with the Cress, and' ii('t?r the Orb the ring si.nd two Sceptres each with n.n a ppropriate admonition and prayer.

THE GREAT CEREMONY. Next- followed the great ceremony of the dav. which had brought all .present to witness it. After a brief and earnest praver the King, still Pitting in Edward's Chair, the Dean of Westminster handed the Crown, from the altar and the Archbishop reverently placed it on the King's head. Instantly the electric lights were turned up. the whole congregation shouted "CW Save the King !" The peers, who to this stage had sat through the service without their ' coronets, simultaneously raised 1 them to their .heads. The acclamations over, the Archbishop of Canterbury presented the King with the Rib'.e, describing it as the 'most valuable tiling the world affords. After the Archbishop's 'Benediction all the bishops and clergy joined) in a loud "Amen," which was followed, toy the roaring, of cannon, the clashing of bells, and suppressed, sounds of cheering from outside.

This first stage ended, there followed the enthronisation on the King's homage seat under the lantern. A.ll the bishops left the altar to surroumd his Majesty in the Chair of State. The Archbishop was the first to do homage, 'hissing the King on the left cheek. It was at this stage where Archbishop Temple, nine vears ago, nearly fell at King Edward's feet. , Next the Prince of Wales advanced to the top step of tlie dais, took off his coronet, .audi knelt be/fore his father. Others of the blood royal in the Abbey also knelt in their places and joined tlie. Prince, each declaring himself, "I do become your liege man of life audi limb." The peers next d'id their homage, the senior only for each order. Easy touched the- King'vs. Grown and kissed has cheek. When- the homage ended with the anthern there was once more loud' acclamation within the Abbey. CROWNINiG THE Q.TJEEN. Tip to this stage Queen Mary had been seated in her Chair of State as when the.first arrived. The Archbishop now proceeded with the Coronation on a smaller and less impressive seaL\ She stood between Edward's- Chair and. the Altar. Four peeresses held the canopy, while the Archbishop of Canterbury poured the oil on her head, placed the ring on her finger, and then took the newly-made Crown from the Altar <-ind reverently placed it on her Majesty's head. All peeresses th-eiii put -on their coronets. The Archbishop of Canterbury then placed the Sceptre in the. Queen's right hand and the ivory rod w-i.th the dove in her left., with suitable, prayers. Her Majesty, supported by the Bishops of Oxford "'.and Peterborough, arose from her place of anointing and 1 passed by the King orb the Throne of Homage, making a deep obeisance, to which he bowed in acknowledgment, and then -sat in her own Chair of Homage close by the King's, but two steps lower. Tims the King and Queen sat together crowned, seeptered and enthroned. The next stage in this magnificent ceremony was an acknowledgment as their firsit act by both Sovereigns of their duty to Almighty God as. members of Christ's Church here below. Accompanied' by their officers of state they advanced to the Altar, and humbly removed their crowns to partake of the Communion.. The King personally, with lu's own hand, offered the bread' and wine for consecration. The King and Queen through their officers aJso presented the frontal and dossal for the Altar, and the King also a wed'ge of gold weighing lib. Queen Mary presented a mark weight of gold. The Communion service closed with the "Te De-urn." After a brief retirement to Ed-ward the Confessor's Chapel i'o-r refreshment the King and Queen.' emerged wearing fresh crowns, the King's crown a royal and the Queen's a small crown, of diamonds. These were worn all the way through the streets. The procession re tunned down the Abbey amidst the -cheers of the audience and the "vivats!" o fthe Westminster School boys, in reverse order to its en-U-y, and so through the .streets to Buckingham Palace, changing from Charing Gross along Cocks pur-street and PalJ Mall as above described.

The whole line of progress was densely packed with people, many of whom had patiently waited for liine. or ten hours. A wave of cheering .accompanied the royal carriage .all the way. After six hours their Majesties concluded this momentous day's ordeal. A slight rain fell at 8 -o'clock. The crowds were enormous, particularly in Trafalgar Square, where the surging mass temporarily brake the cordon. Otherwise the police arrangements were perfect. Their Majesties were visibly affected at the warmth of their receptfon in the .streets.

The King macfo his last public appearance at Olympia, being cheered in crowded streets. Ten thousand people at the Horse Show gave him a further rapturous reception.