The Indispensables

Winston Churchill was absent when King George VI opened a new session of Parliament last week. When the King read his seventh opening address from the throne, he wore a naval uniform, sported a visored admiral's cap where his glittering crown should have been. The normal pageantry, usually a richly costumed charade suggesting Britain's history of kings and the common man's long fight for democratic self-government, was stripped to three essentials. The indispensables were: 1) the symbol of democracy; 2) the symbol of wealth; 3) the symbol of the King's safety.

Democracy. Rights gained by toil and time permit the House of Commons, irrespective of the King's wishes, to do what it pleases. The Outlawries Bill symbolizes this pillar of freedom. A measure "for the more effectual preventing Clandestine Outlawries in personal actions," the Outlawries Bill was offered first in 1743. Never enacted, it was never forgotten. The members of the House never hear the King's address without reviving and reading it to show their independence.

They did last week.

Wealth. The ancient City of London has become a small part of the present metropolis. In it is the Empire's financial center. There bank messengers run their errands in tall top hats, even to this rationed day, even through the ruins of the blitz. Last week two Members of the House from the City of London sat on the Treasury bench, wearing tall top hats.

Safety. In 1605 Guy Fawkes, hoping to kill James 1, stacked gunpowder in Parliament's vaulted cellar. He lost his head instead of his King. Since then, the King's way has always been prepared by a search of the cellar. Ordinarily, this is a job for the Beefeaters, who go about it in resplendent tabards of scarlet and gold.

Last week the search was conducted, and the King's safety assured, by a detail of Home Guards in drab battle dress.

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