I
August 16, 1902.]
CHINA OVERLAND TRÅDE REPORT.
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[Coronation. Although the office had been pre- pared originally without any misgiving that its postponement would be necessary, yet it proved ascription of praise and thanksgiving. most fitting, for nearly all through it was an
to express to my people at home and in the the face of the globe: and these feelings Colonies and in India my heart-felt appreciation will be all the more intense, inasmuch as from of the deep sympathy which they have mani- the King on his throne to the lowliest of his fested towards me during the time that my life subjects all are so deeply imbuel with a feel- was in such imminent danger. The pcs pone-ing of devout thankfulness to Almighty God ment of the ceremony owing to my illness that it has pleased Him to ordain that the sword caused, I fear, much inconvenience and trouble is sheathed once more, and to vouc' safe to the to those who intended to celebrate it, but their Empire a return of the priceless blessings of disappointment was borne by them with admir- peace. (Applause.) We hare further exceeding able patience and temper. The prayers of my and abundant cause for rejoicing and thankful people for my recovery were heard, and I now ness in that it has also pleased Him to deliver offer up my deepest gratitude to Divine Provi- our gracious Sovereign from the dangerous dence for having preserved my life and given malady which laid hold of him, and to restore me strength to fulfil the important duties him to health and strength, and that he may be which devolve upon me as the Sovereign of spared to have a long, happy, glorious, and this great Empire.--(8d.) Edward R. and peaceful reign over us is the united and heart- 1.-Buckingham Palace, 8th August, 1902. felt prayer of all his people this day. (Applause) Gentlemen, I am sure you will al receive bat Amidst all the rejoicings across the worldwide gracious message from the King with great grati- domain of the Empire I feel certain that by tude. Far distant as we are from the scene of none of his people will this day be the great event which is to take place to-day. celebrated with greater gladness or we shall le there in spirit, and, as I have said feelings of deeper loyalty and devotion than with before on several occasions, I have had many by the inhabitants of this Colony, one of the proofs that though this Colony is a small one smalles', though by no means the least valuable compared with others in the Empire, yet there or important of the jewels in His Majesty's are in it a loyalty and devotion second to none. Crown. As British-born subjects we accept as (Applause.) Gentlemen, the telegram which our inalienable birthright the blessings of propose to send, with your approval. reads as British protection, British law and justice, follows: The Executive and Legislative and above all that glorious and unequalled Councils of Hongkong, on behalf of Your heritage, the charter of British liberty and Majesty's subjects in this Colony, beg freedom; and although as a people we may not most humbly to tender their heartfelt be given to much outward show or parade of thanks for Your Majesty's most gracious our feelings in regard to these, we nevertheless message received this day, and to offer their prize in the highest possible sense the proud loyal and respectful congratulations to you on possession of these precious privileges on which Your Majesty's restoration to health and on the the might and grandeur of the Empire and the occasion of the Coronation of Your Majesty as happiness and welfare of its peoples are built. King and Emperor and of Her Majesty Queen Our fellow residents of other birth, who either Alexandra, believing that the joyful event here or in other parts have dwelt for any to be consummated to-day foreshadows a long length of time under the aegis of the and glorious reign for Your Majesties and au British flag, bave learned to the full the era of happiness, prosperity, and honourable inestimable benefits of the liberty, jus- peace for Your Majesty's Kingdom and Empire." tice and freedom bestowed by that glorious flag The reading of the telegram concluded amidst wherever it waves, and I fol I have full war- loud applause.
rant for affirming that they most heartilyar. ticipate in our sentiments, as they also come to join us in our rejoicings this great day. We, therefore, the whole of the inhabitants of this Colony, desire to take our place along with the rest of the Empire in presenting our heartfelt homage and affectionate congratulations to his most gracious Majesty on this most auspicions occasion. On this day of all others the fervent prayer of one and all of us must be "God Save the King" (Applause.
HIS EXCELLENCY-Gentlemen, You have heard the resolution to be forwarded by me, aud you have heard the fery able and eloquent and loyal and heartfelt speeches of the two gentlemen who seconded the resolution. Those of you who are in favour of adopting the resolu. tion be good enough to signify the same by standing up in your places.
The Council rose en masse. H18 EXCELLENCY-Carried
nem. con.
and the choir entering from the west door The service was commenced by the clergy and singing in procession the Coronation hymn "Lord of Might, our Land's Defender," the congregation joining in. On reaching the chancel the whole assemblage sang two verses of the National Anthem, led by the organ and the instruments. Then followed a portion of the Litany, most expressively sung by the choir to the Ferial setting, the Rev. E. H. Good M.A., the Naval Chaplain, intoning. A selec- tion from the Communion office was then taken, commencing with the Introit, hearken Thou unto the voice of my calling." It will be remembered that when the Service of Intercession was held on receipt of the news of the King's illness this short but very effective piece was given as the anthem.
hour, and I beg to thank you very much for your attendance this morning.
The Council then adjourned.
THE CORONATION SERVICE IN
It
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coronation service. The first part, was taken as was composed by the organist for the
yut, soprano; Misses Ramsey and Leykum, a semi-chorus by Mrs. Mudie and Miss Chur-
contralto; Messrs. G. W. Coster and H. Arthur, tenor; and W. J. Terrill and F. G. Whittick, bas Both the semi-chorus and the full chorus which followed were very well sung. The Epistle WAS Wright, B.A., and the Gospel by the Rev. read by the Rev. T.
J. H. France, M.A. The Nicene Creed after which the Proclamation was read from was sung to Stainer's beautiful setting in F the Altar steps by the Rev. F. T. Johnson, M.A., Chaplain of the Cathedral. A prayer followed, and then came the anthem "O Lord our Govern- our," by Gadsby. There were several more prayers, followed by the Benediction, at the conclusion of which was sung Stainer's Seren- fold Amen. The Choir then sang the Te Deum to St nford's setting, which is acknowledged to be one of the finest in English Church music. It is a noble work and was most carefully rendered, the instruments in the leads and interludes being most effective. Two vorses were sang es a quartet composed of Masters K. and W. Hagen and Messrs. G. W. Coster and A. Cunningham. At its conclusion the choir and clergy left the chancel, the organist and band playing as a recessional the War March of the Priests" (Athulie), which concluded what must be described as a beautiful and dignified service and one appropriate to the occasion.
Hon. Dr. Ho KAI.-Sir, I have the greatest pleasure in seconding the resolution which your Excellency bas so eloquently proposed. I am -confident that this resolution will meet with the unanimous and joyous assent of all my colleagues on this Council, both official and unofficial, and that, further, it will have the universal concur- ence of all His Majesty's loyal subjects in this Colony, of whatever race and creed. Though we are comparatively a small community living in a Far Eastern Colony, yet I may venture to say without fear of contradiction that we are behind none in loyalty and devotion to our Gracious King, and that in no part of the vast Empire was the recovery of His Majesty from his recent dangerous illness received with more demonstration of joy and thanksgiving, and that in no other British Colony or possession will the Coronation of His Majesty and of His Majesty's Royal Consort be celebrat d to-day with greater rejoicing and gladness. (App'ause.) The Gentlemen, The telegram shall go w.thin an terms of the telegram just read, I fear, express but feebly the sentiments we feel on this most auspicious occasion, but they will serve at least to convey to Their Majesties, however imperfectly it may be, our humble and heartfelt congratulations, and our fervent prayer for a
S. JOHN'S CATHEDRAL. long, glorious, peaceful, and prosperous reign. On Saturday, 9th August, at 11 a.m., the I beg to second the resolution. (Applause.) postponed Coronation Office appointed for Hon. C. S. SHARP-Your Excellency. Ithe Anglican Church throughout the Empire esteem it the highest honour to have the was impressively rendered ia S. John's opportunity of resolution the supporting you Cathedral in the presence of a very large have just proposed for the despatch of a congregation. Long before the hour ap- telegraphic message of homage and congrata pointed for the commencement of the service lation to our most gracious Sovereign, King the church began to fill and when the clergy Edward VII., on this historic and auspicious and choir arrived at the west door nearly occasion of the Coronation of Their Majesties all the available space was occupied. H.E. the King and Queen, It is indeed a most Major-General Sir William Gascoigne, memorable event when His Majesty assumes K.C.M.G., the Officer Administering the Gov- the full state and dignity of the Crown, and we ernment, attended by Captain the Hon. H. W. F. in this far distant outpost of the Empire on Trefusis, A.D.C., was seated in the chancel, such an occasion as this feel ourselves drawn adjoining the choir, with the Government more closely into touch with our many brethren | Officials and Members of the Coronation Celebra of that mighty Empire across the seas. It is, tion Committee on each side. At the head of therefore, most meet and fitting that we should the nave were Lady Gascoigne, many mili- join with them heart and hands in tendering tary and naval officers, and the Members of our homage and affection to His Majesty on the Consular Body Whilst one could not this day, which will be celebrated with gladness fail to observe the effect produced by such an end all manner of rejoicings, as well as assemblage and its surroundings, a feeling of with feelings of the deepest loyalty and deep reverence was inspired by the fact that devotion, by the many peoples of the British it was also an united set of devout thanksgiving Empire, of whatsoever race
or creed, or for the restoration to health of the King, as wheresoever they may be scattered across well as a participation in the celebration of his
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The choir deserve much credit for their efforts and the manner in which the music was rendered, and the taste and expression observed- especially in the Creed-showed · that they had been carefully and ably trained by the talented organist, Mr. A. G. Ward. His two compositions for the occasion, although not ambitious, exhibit much merit. The hymn is a good stirring tune and the in- troit is a very melodious little piece, and might very well find a permanent place in other choir libraries. The clergy present were the Revs. F. T. Johnston. M.A.; E. H. Good, M.A., G. A. Bunbury, M.A.; J. H. France, M.A., T. Wright, B.A; Fong Yat-sin, and Mok Shau-tong. The members of the choir present were Mesdames Hagen and Seth; Misses Hance, Chunyat, Ley- kum, Abraham, and Seth; Messrs. G. P. Lammert (Hon.. Organist), A. Cunningham (Hon. Sec.), J. Hays, A. Russell, W. J. Terrill, F. G. Whittick, J. Jenkins, Moorhouse, G. H. Ruby, H, Hughes, J. S. MacNab, H. Arthur, W. V. Thompson, Master-Gunner Thurloe, and G W. Coster. Mrs. Mudie and Miss Ramsey of the Union Church choir also assisted. The choir bos Masters E. and W. Hagen, H. and B. Shortman, H. and F. Flood, and E. Hickinson. The instrumentalists were Mr. A, G. Ward, organist and conductor; Sergt. Hunt, Corpls. Glanville, Bolstridge, and Warner, Bandsman Morris, and Drummers Evans, Wilmott, and Cuel, of the 2nd Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers. The verger, Mr. H J. White, carried out his duties with thoroughness.
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THE ROMAN CATHOLIC SERVICE.
The Roman Catholio subjects of His Majesty were not behind the others in displaying their loyalty to their august Sovereigns, on the occasion of their Coronation. In response to an invitation from His Lordship” Bishop
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