The preparations for the crowning of King Edward furnished _Punch_ with material for a display of abundant good will to the Sovereign, tempered by an explosion of irresponsible frivolity. In the "Overflow Fête," designed by _Punch_ as "Bouverie King of Arms," he seized the opportunity of making game of all his favourite butts. A court of "overflow claims" considers the applications of Lord Halsbury, Sir J. Blundell Maple, Mr. Gibson Bowles, "Brer Fuchs" (Emil Fuchs, an Austrian artist much in Court favour but heavily derided by art critics), Mr. G. B. Shaw, Mr. Alfred Austin the Poet Laureate, and many others. Most of their alleged claims are declined, but a few exceptions are made, as, for example, that in favour of Mr. G. R. Sims being allowed to supply the fountains in Trafalgar Square with "Tatcho." A procession of emblematic cars is mainly satirical, and includes a "sleeping car" typical of British industry. The programme of the Gala Performance at the National Opera House introduces Dan Leno, and includes a masque of "Poets in Hades" on the lines of the Frogs of Aristophanes. _Punch_ also added what purported to be an Official Coronation Ode by Mr. Alfred Austin--a masterpiece of deliberate ineptitude--and a "Chantey of the Nations" in which Mr. Rudyard Kipling's imperialism is burlesqued in none too friendly a spirit. _Punch_ provided a jocular epilogue to the masque: he also dedicated a set of serious verses to the King wishing him health and years' increase, Wisdom to keep his people's love, And, other earthly gifts above, The long-desired, the gift of Peace. The King is also hailed in a hunting picture as the "King of Sportsmen"; and the grace and kindliness of Queen Alexandra, now as ever, appealed to _Punch's_ chivalry. The dominant "note" sounded in _Punch's_ pages is one of jocularity and good humour. He reproduces the statement that "no fewer than 1,047 poets have sent in Coronation Odes for the prizes offered by _Good Words_"--no longer, it need hardly be added, the _Good Words_ of Norman Macleod. American visitors are maliciously pictured as attempting to buy coronets; and _Punch_ makes great play with the official announcement of the amount of space allotted to peeresses in the Abbey. Duchesses were to have eighteen inches and ladies of inferior rank sixteen; what was wanted, in _Punch's_ phrase, was "A Contractor for the Aristocracy." [Sidenote: _Death of King Edward_] The sudden and dangerous illness of the King and the postponement of the Coronation turned all this gaiety to gloom and suspense, happily relieved by a recovery which gave the celebrations, when they were held, the quality of a thanksgiving as well as of a great pageant.