PARLEY CONTINUES HIS DESCRIPTION OF THE CORONATION IN WESTMINSTER ABBEY.
"THE ceremony of anointing followed next in order--Her Majesty having
been divested of her crimson robe by the Mistress of the Robes, took
her seat in St. Edward's chair, and the Dean of Westminster taking from
the altar the ampulla, containing the consecrated oil, and pouring some
of it into the anointing spoon, proceeded to anoint her Majesty on the
crown of the head and on the palm of both hands, in the form of a
cross--four knights of the garter holding over her head a rich cloth of
gold.
"The Dean of Westminster then took the spurs from the altar and
delivered them to the Lord Great Chamberlain, who, kneeling before her
Majesty, presented them to her, after which she forthwith sent them
back to the altar. The Viscount Melbourne, who carried the sword of
state, then delivered it to the Lord Chamberlain, receiving in lieu
thereof, another sword, in a scabbard of purple velvet, which his
lordship delivered to the archbishop, who laid it on the altar. After
a short prayer the archbishop took the sword from off the altar, and,
accompanied by several other bishops, delivered it into the Queen's
right hand. Then rising up her Majesty proceeded to the altar and
offered the sword in the scabbard, delivering it to the archbishop,
who placed it on the altar. Lord Melbourne then redeemed it by payment
of one hundred shillings, and having unsheathed it, bore it during the
remainder of the ceremony.
"The most important part of the ceremonial now approached: the Dean
of Westminster having received the imperial mantle of cloth of gold,
lined or furred with ermine, proceeded to invest her Majesty, who stood
up for the purpose. Having resumed her seat, the orb with the cross
was brought from the altar, and delivered into her Majesty's hand by
the archbishop; having in like manner been invested with the ring,
the sceptre and the rod with the dove were placed in each hand. The
archbishop, then, standing before the altar, took the crown into his
hands, and again laying it on the altar said--
"'O God, who crownest thy faithful servants with mercy and loving
kindness, look down upon this thy servant Victoria, our Queen, who now
in lowly devotion boweth her head to thy divine majesty; and as thou
dost this day set a crown of pure gold upon her head, so enrich her
royal heart with thy heavenly grace, and crown her with all princely
virtues, which may adorn the high station wherein thou hast placed her,
through JESUS CHRIST, our LORD, to whom be honour and glory for ever
and ever. Amen.'
"The Royal Crown was then brought from the altar and placed on her
Majesty's head.
"At this instant the most deafening and enthusiastic cries of 'GOD SAVE
THE QUEEN!' rose from every part of the Abbey, the peers and peeresses
put on their coronets, the bishops their caps, and the spectators
cheered and waved their handkerchiefs. The guns in the park, and at the
tower, fired a royal salute.
"After a short prayer by the archbishop, the choir sang an anthem, and
the Dean of Westminster taking the Bible, which had been carried in
the procession, from off the altar, presented it to her Majesty, who,
having received it, delivered it again to the archbishop, and it was
returned to the altar.
"Having thus been solemnly anointed, and crowned, and invested with
all the ensigns of royalty, the archbishop solemnly blessed the Queen,
the rest of the bishops and the peers following every part of the
benediction with a loud and hearty 'Amen.'
"The _Te Deum_ was then sung by the choir, and her Majesty passing to
the recognition chair in which she first sat, received the homage of
the peers.
"The bishops first approached, and, kneeling before the Queen, the
archbishop pronounced the words of homage; the others repeating them
after him, and, kissing her Majesty's hand, retired.
"The Royal Dukes, ascending the steps of the throne, took off their
coronets, and kneeling, repeated the words of homage, and then,
touching the crown on her Majesty's head, kissed her on the left cheek
and retired.
"The other Peers then performed their homage, each in succession
touching the crown and kissing her Majesty's hand.
"The monotony of this ceremony was relieved by one little incident
which evinced much kindness on the part of her Majesty. As one of the
peers (Lord Rolle), who is a very aged and infirm man, approached the
throne, he stumbled and fell back from the second step upon the floor.
He was immediately raised, and supported by two noble lords; when he
again approached, her Majesty, who beheld the occurrence with emotion,
rose from her throne and advanced to meet him, extending her hand to
him, and expressed much concern for the accident. This little trait of
genuine goodness of heart was warmly cheered.
[Illustration: _Madeley lith. 3, Wellington St. Strand._
HER MAJESTY'S STATE CARRIAGE.]
"Peter Parley was highly amused at the scene which was enacted behind
the throne, where one of her Majesty's Household was busily engaged
scattering the coronation medals. Peers, Peeresses, Aldermen, and
Military officers engaging warmly in the scramble and eagerly clutching
at the coveted memorials.
"When the homage was concluded, her Majesty descended from the throne
and, proceeding to the altar, partook of the Holy Sacrament of the
Lord's Supper.
"The procession was then marshaled in the same order in which it had
entered the Abbey. The rich effect of the costumes was however much
heightened by the coronets of the peers.
"After a short stay in the robing rooms, the procession for the return
to Buckingham palace was formed, and the crowned Sovereign left
Westminster Abbey amid the enthusiastic greeting of her faithful and
devoted subjects.
"Of course, there were many poems and songs made on this joyful
occasion. The best which Peter Parley has seen is one by Charles Swain,
which will form a very appropriate conclusion to this chapter.
"'CORONATION SONG.
I.
"'Thou music of a nation's voice,
Thou grace of old Britannia's throne,
Thou light round which all hearts rejoice,
God save and guard thee, England's own!
While thousand, thousand hearts are thine,
And Britain's blessing rests on thee,
Pure may thy crown, Victoria, shine,
And all thy subjects _lovers_ be!
II.
"'Come, wives! from cottage--home, and field!
Come, daughters! oh, ye lovely, come!
Bid every tongue its homage yield,
Sound, trumpets, sound; and peal the drum!
GOD save the Queen! ring high, ye bells!
Swell forth a people's praise afar;
She's crowned the acclaiming cannon tells!
The Queen!--GOD save the Queen! hurrah!
III.
"'Long may she live to prove the best
And noblest crown a Queen can wear
Is that a people's love hath blessed,
Whose happiness is in her care!
GOD bless the Queen! ring sweet, ye bells!
Swell forth old England's joy afar,
She's crowned the exulting cannon tells;
The Queen!--GOD bless the Queen! hurrah!'"