Pre -Coronation In an article on a later page of
this issue Mr. E. M. Forster gives effective and characteristic expression to the growing and widespread feeling that the Coronation arrangements are in danger of being elaborated to excess. Mr. Forster's article is his own, and not all his opinions—in particular those regarding the Recall to Religion—are necessarily those of The Spectator. Neither does his article cover the whole ground ; it does not profess to, and Could not within the allotted space. The value of a ceremony dignified and impressive, and linked with the past by its historic pageantry, deserves to be emphasised. But a nation that did itself honour by the restraint and calm with which it received an abdication will do well to set some limit to the concen- tration of its energy and resources on a Coronation at a time so critical for this continent and this country. There can be no limit to loyal fervour ; there can be reason and moder- ation in the expression given to it. And for those who do not know Kipling's " Recessional " by heart this is a fitting moment to memorise it.
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