The Coronation.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXXXVII, Issue 11727, 3 September 1902, Page 5

The Coronation.

THE ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY'S INFIRMITY. Per Mail Steamer at Auckland. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, September 2. LONDON, August 9—The partial breakdown of the venerable Archbishop of Cantemibury, who, instead of assisting, had t© be assisted by the King in the performance of some of his functions,~is the subject of sympathetic comment. The Archbishop is in his eighty-second year, and his eyes are dimmed by old age. He-had been a schoolboy when Queen Victoria was crowned, and now, with his sands nearly out, ha wasi called upon to crown her son. Everybody, and King Edward most assuredly, felt sympathy for the aged prelate, and sought, as far as possible, to ease him in the important functions which none but he could perform. Indeed, the Archbishop of Canterbury is a figure second only to the King in importance at the Coronation, and his collapse, which 'st ona time seemed imminent, would have had deplorable insults. The kindness of his Majesty had much to do with sustaining the veteran prelate throughout iiis part of the performance. Instead of. the King needing help he actually helped the trembling hands that placed the crown on his head. All these things were known throughout London and England to-night, and they inspire and strengthen the boundless loyalty with which the people hold the Kiiig who has risen, as ; t were, from the tomb..-. King Edward himself, according to Palace accounts, is as happy as the ■people. His face was lightened up with that magnetism which has helped to make him liked by all admitted to his presence. There was no concealment of his delight with the splendid greetings from his subjects, affd when he showed himself on the balcony of Buckingham P.alace with the Queen his face was radiant with pleasure. The facte are that-) some of the misstateroents in regard to his condition reached the King during his illness, and while h« appeared to smile at some of them, there is no doubt he felt them keenly and felt gratified at being able to show evidence of his recovery and of his possession of a strong constitution and unimpaired vitality.