THE NEW REIGN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7068, 9 April 1901, Page 4

THE NEW REIGN.

NOTES, NEWS AND STORIES

[From Ofr ConnKsroxDENT.] LONDON, Feb. 15.

The passage in the King's Australian message to the effect that " His Majesty is confident that, in making arrangements for the recejrtion of the Duke and Duchess of York, the people will not fail to recognise the sad circumstances under which the visit takes place," is a gentle hint thafc afc least half mourning will be expected amongst your elite. Their Royal Highnesses must, of course, wear full mourning, and it would look rather thoughtless and inconsiderate if they were to be surrounded by Australia's aristocracy in all the colours of the rainbow. Black, white and violet ought to afford ample opportunity for tasceful toilettes. Amerioans, Commonwealthers and New Zealanders who hoped to find the Court of Alexandra easier of access than that of Victoria will discover themselves woefully mistaken. Our new monarch is a dragon of the proprieties and means (she has said so) to be exceedingly strict. No lady, you may be absolutely certain, will see the inside of the Court of St James' unless vouched for by her Ambassador or Agent-Gen-eral, ana backed (so far as Australasia is concerned) by an ex-Governor's wife. Lady Hopetoun's recommendation would, I should imagine, require no further vise. But she is not likely to give such a, thing ligbtly. The digging-up and coaching of all the dignified iunctionaries who make their appearances only upon a new monarch's accession and coronation has not, so far, cost the Court officials greSt trouble. The* most anxious case was that of the Duke of Norfolk (Earl Marshal), upon whom the entire responsibility, of superintending the Queen's funeral devolved. His efforts were praiseworthy to a degree, and fortunately he had a potent coadjufrc-r in the King, who overlooked every detail. But his Grace's appearanoe in tbe procession in the Earl Marshal's robes and fixtures was peculiar, not to say ridiculous, and he didn't exactly shine in the alarming incident at Windsor. The only persons who had indeed their wits about .them just then were the King,, the Kaiser and Earl Roberts. .His Mujesty gave orders (sot to voce) " unhorse the oar and call the sailors to pull it," and Lord Roberts sprang to the ground and in an instant released the plunging and affrighted animal*?. At tbe. coronation will appear the King's Champion, a magnificent personage, disguised, in armour, whose business it is to throw, down his gauntlet and challenge to mortal combat any person present daring to v dispute his Ma jesty'-s claim to the Throne. What would happen were Mr Herb-Tfc Vivian or any of the cranky believers in the Stuart dynasty to arise and make a scene who can surmise? The disturber would, of course, be promptly hauled off to Bow, Street, and the bold protector of the Royal person hurried away out of sight before inextinguishable laughter overtook him.

The office of King's Champion is an hereditary one, and' belongs to the haad of the ancient family of Dymoke (pronounced Dinunock), who just at -present is a young farmer. The Champion receives a gorgeous piece of plate (called the Coronation Cup), as guerdon for his gallantry. He is also entitled to guard for the Crown the Coronation Cups earned by his predecessor?. . The Dyntokes have a fine collection, stretching far back into the middle ages. Some time ago the direct line of the family seemed to 'nave died out, and the /Coronation Gups were re-claimed by the Crown officials. They proved, however, mistaken. A : "direct Dymoke soon appeared, and, establishing his ease, got- the Cups back. That was the father of the. King's Champion destined to offer to fight for Edward VII The Lord Mayor, Sheriffs, Aldermen and Councillors waited '■ ° n *&«., J^ n S ' f at St James's Palaceon Wednesday,* and presented the usual addresses. .By and bye^vill come the awkward question of the Ninth of November banquet, now the King's Birthday. At present, of course, such matters are in nubibus. Charles 11. dined at Guildhall nine tiriifes, and on one occasion, when Sir Robert. Viner was Lord Mayor, Charles found himself, according to the " Spectator," in a rather embarrassing situation. The Lord MayoT, getting elated with continually toasting- the Boy^l Family, grew a little too fond of Ins Majes-/ ty, who stole off, and mad© towards h;s coach in Guildhall Yard "But the Mayor liked his company so well, and was grown so intimate, that he pursued him 'hastily, and, catching bim fast by the. hamd, cried out, with a vehement oath and accent, ' Sir, you shall stay and take t'other bottle!'" The King looked kindly at the Lord Mayor over his shoulder, and, with a smile and graceful air, repeated the words of the old song: — " He that is drunk is as treat as a King." •and Went back with his host. ■ There is a rumour, says the " Chronicle, which* will be a surprise for Ireland, that the King intends abolishing the Viceroyalty bf Ireland, and, -fcrith the Qupen holding four levees and dra/wmg-rooms a year in Dublin. This is partly a corollary on the late Queen's last visit and its success. * The ponderous State coach used yesterday at the opening of Parliament, which we'ghs 4 tons, and is 24ft long by Bft wide, and 12ft high, has not been seen in public shice the death of the Prince Consort, the last time it was used being at theopenin°- of Parliament by Queen Victoria in 1861. Designed by Sir William Chambers, it was finished in the year 1761. The paintings were by Cipriani. On the front panel Britannia is depicted sitting on a throne and holding ii staff of liberty in her hand, a garland of laurel being pre- i sented to her by Religion, Justics, Wisiloin, Fortitude, Cnuimerce, Plenty and Victory. -In the background St Paul's and the Thames are visible. Industry and Ingenuity are. represented on the right door is 'ir'vin? a . cornucopia to the genius of England, whilst on the panels are to be .j seen History, recording the reports of Fame, and Peace burning the implements of Avar. Neptune and Amphitrite are pic-iur«-d on the back panel as issuing from their palace in a triumphal car drawn by sta-horses. They are attended by the Winds, Rivers, Tritons, and Naiads, bringing the tribute of the world, to the British ?!ir.re. The upper part of the panel is adorned with tin Royal Anns, ornamented •.vith the Order of St George, the rose shamrock and thistle being entwined. On the leit door. Mars, Minerva and Mercury are portrayed, supporting the Imperial Crown of Great Britain, and the panels bear designs emblematical of the protection accorded to rhe Liberal Arts and Sciences. Over the paintings are large windows of plate-glass. The body is composed of eight palm-trees, which, brandling out, sustain the rcof. Four " angular trees are laden with trophies of war. Three boys, the genii of England, Scotland and Ireland, stand

on the roof, supporting the Imperial Crown ■ of Great Britain, and holding the sceptre, ! sword of State, and ensigns of knighthood. Their bodies are adorned with festoons of laurel, falling towards lions' heads at the corners. Four large Tritons support the body of the equipage — richly ornamented with laurel and carved work — by moroccoleather braces, ornamented with gilt buckles. Tlie two figures in front are supposed to be drawing the vehicle by means , of cables, and to be announcing the approach of the. Monarch of the Ocean by sounding shells. Those at the back carry the Imperial fasces, topped with tridents. The driver's footboard is a large scallopshell, decorated with bunches of reeds and other marine plants. The pole represents a bundle of lances ; the splinter-bar is composed of g»rich moulding, issuing from beneath a voluted shell, each end terminating in the head of a. dolphin ;. the wheels are j an imitation of those cf an ancient triumphant chariot. The coach is lined inside with rich scarlet, embossed velvet, superbly ■ laced and embroidered with gold. In the i centre of the roof is the Star of the Garter, encircled by the collar of the Order, and surmounted' by the Imperial Crown, pen- ! dant, the George and Dragon. The seats are embellished with the badges of the varioils orders of chivalry, adorned with the rose, shamrock, thistle and oak-leaf. The old hammercloth, which cost* £1000, has been removed, and the supports decorated with magnificent carving. The carriage , has been entirely upholstered in crimson satin, with carpets, lace and curtains to match, all the materials being of English manufacture. The painted panels have been cleaned and restored by experts, and re-gilding has been extensively carried out. , Crim velvet covers the glass frames, i the s.-i..--* costly material lining the shutter- ; blinds, which consist of gun-metal, instead of mahogany, panels. Queen Victoria objected to the coach because of its disagreeable oscillation, but this defect has been cured by a judicious application: of leather | straps. ' !