THE COMING CORONATION.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1005, 21 December 1910, Page 9

THE COMING CORONATION.

A u official notice of the coming Coronation has appeared in the papera, and it may be of interest to learn further details of the ceremony. Tho crowning of a monarch is an old-time ceremony (says an English writer). It hus usually been accompanied by what was regarded as the sfill more solemn rito of anointing with oil, which dates from the days of the ancient Hebrews. And in England, before the -Norman Conquest, the term used was 'hallowing," or consecration, rather than that of coronation. But from old records it seems that the ceremony as then performed at "Winchester- was in all essentials the same as that which how takes place in Westminster Abbey. Tow people seem to be awaro that the coronation ceremony was the duly religious rite of the Anglican Church which escaped tho pruning policy of the Reformers. Hence its impressive ritual and gorgeous pageantries.

Ihe last coronation at which every_ oldworld ceremony was duly performed was that 01 King George IV. At,his crowning ,a coronation banquet. took place, there was a procession of peers, the Herbstrcwer scattered ilowers, and the challenge of the Champion of England was included n i J,-M 1 < : ercmon y' coronations ft »yiliani IV, Queen Victoria, and our late King Edward these old customs were lor various reasons omitted. However, much remains that is of deep interest and stately splendour. -Tho Dean and Chapter of Westminster claim the right to instruct the Sovereign in his duties this solemn sorvicc, and on Coronation Day the regalia are delivered into -their custody. According to old records, .-CIOO is paid for the anointing oil supplied by the Koyal apothecary. Tho coronation chairs are of interest. That of tho King is the chair of Edward the Confessor, used by every 33ritish Sovereign since the time of Edward 11. It is of oak, and is recovered with fresh crimson velvet on each occasion. Beneath it is placed the btone Destiny, an ancient relic which camo originally from Ireland.