TWO CORONATIONS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1199, 7 August 1911, Page 9

TWO CORONATIONS.

WE HAVE MOVED SOME DISTANCE. A very interesting contrast could be mads between the way the press takes the Coronation of George'V'and the way it took t;ho Coronation of the last George. The Coronation of George IV took place in the first weeks of the publication of thfl "Manchester Guardian," and in the issue for July U we find, quoted from the London "Examiner," the following observations on the approaching ceremony Solemnity I.—The Shirting. Early in the morning tho Lord Great Chamberlain, assisted in tho arduous task by the Lord Chamberlain, puts on his Majesty's Miirt, and afterwards a pair of crimson breeches. The shirt is to have holes in it to admit of the subsequent solemnity—the Oiling. Solemnity 2.—The Toying. Ht3 Majesty seats himself at a table covered with a Persian, carpet, to have some pretty things brcnght to him to look at. First, four swords, which are laid on the table before him; then a short sword to be called Curtana: then two pointed swords; then a great pair_ of spurs; then a crown; then an orb with a cross; and then a staff.- As soon as tho King is tired with his playthings, lie gives them away to sundry persons to carr? them U: iho Abbcj. Solemnity 3.—The Applauding. Arrived in the Abbey, the Archbishop of Canterbury is to tell the people which is the King," and ask them if they, are willing to do licmage to him; when they ought to make a great noise and call out "God save the King," assisted by drums and trumpets. Solemnity i.—The Preaching. The King puts on a velvet cap to hear the sermon in. and tho Archbishop is to preach for half an hour—avoiding, of course, all remarks that might bo unpleasant and making himself as agrceablo as he can. From the remaining "solemnities" we give a selection only:— Solemnity 10.—The Ringing and Sticking. These are not, as might be expected froin the name, the same ceremonies as are' performed on pigs, but consist in tiattiiig n ring on the fourth finger of the right hand, and a stick or sceptro hi tliu left hand, to be held for a short time.

Solemnity 12.—The Re-decorating. Then his Majesty puts on another set of Royal Robes and a purple cap, with a globe in one hand and a sceptre in tho other, and all tho other fine things; as ht. cannot carry them, all are given into the hands of others. . Solemnity the last and greatest.—The Paying. This is not performed till next year, when the Chancellor of the Exchequer will cause the people to pay for this ncccssary and highly rational ceremony the sum of one or two hundred thousands, *o be drawn from our abundant stores.

The personal unpopularity of George IV iccounts for .1 good deal of this raillery, but tho progressive spirit of the day was obviously' not keen on pageantry. .Perhaps we havo gone too far iu the other direction now.