THE CORONATION.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1098, 10 April 1911, Page 5

THE CORONATION.

NAVAL REVIEW AT SPITHEAD,

By Telegraph—Press Association-Oopyriclit London, April 7. Three hundred and eighty-two warships, including ten Dreadnoughts, will take part in the Coronation review at Spit.head,

BANQUET IN WESTMINSTER HALL. (Rec. April 9, 5.5 p.m.) London, April 8. The King has granted the uso of Westminster Hall for the luncheon to bo given on June 19 by the House of Lords and tho House of Commons to the members of overseas' Parliaments attending the Coronation. The beautiful and venerable building of Westminster Hall was originally founded by William Rufus in 1097, but it was re-built, in its present form by Richard 11, who,/in 139 D, kept his Christmas here with great magnificence, the number of his guests amounting to 10,000 each day. Its dimensions are said to exceed those of any other apartment in Europe, unsupported by pillars. Its length is 270 ft., its breadth 71ft., and its height about 90ft. The roof, which principally consists of chestnut-wood, is very curiously constructed, and adorned with angels supporting shields, charged with the arms of Richard 11, and his patron saint, Edward the Confessor; on tho stono frieze below the windows are various sculptures of a hart couchant, and other devices of Richard 11. Tbo pavement has been thrico raised, at different periods, in order to keen out the water, the hall having been frequently flooded at' liigh tides Ivy the. waters (if tho Thames. This hall appears lo have been designed for royal banquets and entertainments, and tho Coronation feasts have been held here for ases. Courts of justice were, however, held here in very early times, in which the Sovereign himself was accustomed to preside; and tho ancient stone bench, whereon the monarch sat, is said to be yet in existence beneath tho pavement in the np'ppr end. nonce the "Curia Domini Regis," or. Court of King's Bench. Tho last Coronation dinner held there was that of George IV.