<h2 class="space"><SPAN name="ed" id="ed"></SPAN>The Coronation of King Edward VII</h2><span class="totoc"><SPAN href="#toc">Contents</SPAN></span>
<p><span class='pagenum'><SPAN name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</SPAN></span></p>
<p>Never had a country a more popular king than
King Edward VII, nor a more gracious queen than
Queen Alexandra, and never was a happier day for the
English people than that on which King Edward was
crowned. A few days before the date fixed for the Coronation
the king suddenly became ill, and a great gloom fell over the
country, for it was feared that he might never be crowned.
But though his illness was severe he soon began to get better,
and when he was out of danger the hearts of his subjects were
filled with joy and thankfulness. Guns were fired, church-bells
pealed, and glad shouts and cheers rang out from the
happy crowds which lined the streets of London, through
which the king and queen, in the midst of their gay
procession, drove to Westminster Abbey.</p>
<p>Inside the gray old Abbey was one of the most brilliant
gatherings the world has ever seen. Princes and princesses
from other lands were there, in their robes of state; peers and
peeresses, in velvet, and ermine, and glittering diamonds;
grave statesmen; and soldiers in their gay uniforms.</p>
<p>It was a grand and solemn scene when, before them all,
the aged Archbishop of Canterbury drew near to the King,
and with trembling hands placed the crown upon his head.</p>
<p>"The Lord give you a fruitful country, and healthful
seasons, victorious fleets and armies, and a quiet Empire."
These are the words that the old man said when he had
crowned the king, and each one of us will pray that all
these blessings may indeed rest upon King Edward VII,
and the great Empire over which he rules.</p>
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<p><span class='pagenum'><SPAN name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</SPAN></span></p>
<p><span class="toill"><SPAN href="#ill">Illustrations</SPAN></span></p>
<p class="center"><SPAN name="image-17" id="image-17"><!-- Image 17--></SPAN>
<ANTIMG src="images/il028s.jpg" class="png" height-obs="400" width-obs="280" alt="KING EDWARD VII AND QUEEN ALEXANDRA" title="KING EDWARD VII AND QUEEN ALEXANDRA" /></p>
<p class="image"><SPAN href="images/il028x.jpg" class="image">View larger image</SPAN></p>
<p class="caption">KING EDWARD VII AND QUEEN ALEXANDRA</p>
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