May 14
The dignity, modesty and simplicity of the King's personal pledge his broadcast speech to his people made a remarkable link between the rich solemnity of the Coronation rites and the day-to-day routine upon which both King and people have now to resume concentration. Never before has a Coronation proceeded in the actual and full presence of the King's subjects throughout his domain.
The cere-many thus acquired more vivid ro-cognition as the dedication of the King to his people's service and their dedication to loyal comradeship in what he aptly described as the duty of maintaining the honour and integrity of the Empire-Reuter's brilliant special despatch showed how'the acclamation of the King at the climax of his crowning was instantly taken up by the crowds patiently waiting in the streets outside. The marvels of wireless in facilitating greater and deeper understanding of men and events could not have received ampler demonstration. The King and Queen bore the ordeal of their Jong day's testing with admirable composure. The earnestness and sincerity of their submission to the prescribed ritual gave it its full intrinsic significance, As listeners], in Shanghai heard the time-honoured words of the Archbishop, the measured responses of the King and the vibrant majesty of the organ's music, they could not but be impressed by the thought that they were privileged to participate in a revelation of the historical growth of British citizenship and its sacramental origins. To that intensity of emotions the subsequent scenes in the streets of London made a picturesque, yet no less genuine, contribution. The Coronation of the King and Queen in the presence of the great officers of State and the representatives of all orders in the land, received from tHe millions along the processional route its due endorsement, Sanctified' to service in the ancient Abbey with ancient
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.