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VICTORIA. 537 ever took place within the historic walls of Westminster Abbey. Against the background of similar historical events, how beau- tiful, solemn, impressive, appears the coronation service of this young girl-queen; sincere, pure-hearted, untainted with am- bitions and vices of intriguing court life, taking the oath to protect the constitution and the nation. What had been a ceremony merely with previous sovereigns, assumed the sol- emnity of a patriarchal rite. The young queen was seated in the chair of King Edward ; four Knights of the Most High Order of the Garter held a canopy cloth of gold over her head. The Archbishop then anointed her head and hands, saying, "Be thou anointed with holy oil as kings, priests and prophets were anointed, and as Solomon was anointed king by Zadok the priest, and Nathan the prophet, so be thou anointed, blessed, and consecrated Queen over this people, whom the Lord your God hath given you to rule and govern." Then followed the benediction. The Sword of State was then taken from the altar and placed in her hands by the Arch- bishop, with the formula concerning justice and protection. Last of all the scepter of justice and power, and the rod of equity and mercy were placed in her hands, and the crown placed on her head. After this sacred rite, the Queen received the sacrament, and on her rising from before the altar the organ and choir pealed forth the marvelous chorus, "Hallelu- jah ! for the Lord God Omnipotent Reigneth." It was a day of great rejoicing ; a two-fold blessing had come to England, freedom from the thralldom they endured under the sons of George III., and the dawn of a new epoch, prophetic •in the very purity, conscientiousness, simplicity and prudence of a virtuous girl Queen, who won the hearts of her people to have and to hold. It was a new sensation for England. The Queen was popular from the first because of her personality and her hearty interest in the welfare of her people. They were to taste the joys of a constitutional government well admin- istered. It is true that means were enacted during the reign of Wil- liam IV. that proved preparatory to the new regime. The Re- form Bill of 1832 had paved the way for better things. What the Great Alfred realized more than a thousand years before as the great need to the developing of his people and the success