CORONATION OF THE KING.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 8 May 1901, Page 4

CORONATION OF THE KING.

Humour is said to be still busy in London with possible dates for the Coronation. The matter is not as important; as it used to be considered in other days, when the ceremony was regarded as putting the seal on the succession of a monarch whose right to the throne was not undisputed. Nowadays there is no trouble about succession, and modem monarchs can afford to wait until at least the period of Court mourning is past. It is now nearly three months since Queen Victoria died, and in other centuries the King might, weeks ere this, have assumed the Crown. The last Edward was crowned within three weeks of ascending the throne, Flizxbothin Jess than two months. Queen Anno within six weeks, and there were few of our rulers up to Gtorgc 111, who had not assumed the visible sign of monarchy well within a year of their accession. George 111. waited eleven months, George IV. a year and a half, during most of which period preparations for the great event were in progress, William IV. and his Queen fourteen months, and Queen Victoria a year, a week, and a day. All things considered, it is not in the least likely that King Edward will depart from the precedent established by his immediate predecessors, and therefore no one need look for the Coronation before the expiry of the year of Court mourning. But, as a London paper points out, several things have to be considered in fixing the date. The weather is a matter of some importance, and knowing what we know of London in February and Mai eh, it cannot be regarded as probable that any day in cither of these months will be selected. St. George’s Da}', April 23rd, is suggested as being peculiarly fitting for the Coronation of a King of England, and it falls conveniently on a Wednesday. The 23th of May, the anniversary of the Restoration, which falls on a Thursday, is also mentioned. As “Oak-Apple Day,” it used to bo a festival day in a mild form in many a country district in England, and even now in some places boys must wear oak apples in their button-holes or caps to escape a whipping with nettles by Cavalier-loving schoolmates. In June, the 21th, Midsummer Day, is all the more appropriate because it falls on one of the three days in the week, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, on which a great ceremonial can conveniently take place. Friday is out of the question, owing to the scruples of Roman Cotholics and High Church people, and either Monday or Saturday would be impracticable. It is probable, therefore, that one of the three days wo have mentioned—St. George’s Day, the Twenty-ninth of May, or Midsummer IHy.