The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1884-06-07 00:00:00

BANK HOLIDAY IN LONDON.

Monday being Bank Holiday, all the places of
business in the City of London and the metropolis
generally were closed. The weather being fine and
somewhat more settled than Easter, large numbers of
persons left town by the various excursions. From
an early hour the booking offices of the railway
stations were crowded with holiday folk, and the river
steamers were well patronised, special steamboats
having to be put on to run to Sheerness, Kew, and
other holiday resorts. The West-end parks were well
filled, and the ceremony of changing the guard at St.
James's Palace was witnessed by thousands of persons.
The doors of the South Kensington and other
museums were thronged at an early hour, while the
Health Exhibition proved one of the most attractive
features. The 2nd Battalion Grenadier Guards prac-
tise 6 trooping of the colours at the Horse Guards in
the presence of thousands of spectators.
The fine weather caused a striking diminution in
the attendance at the National Gallery in Trafalgar-
square. The number of visitors was 9900. On
Easter Monday last it was 18,150. Still more re-
markable was the experience at the British Museum
in Bloomsbury. Up to six p.m. only 3081
persons had visited this collection. Last Easter
Monday's return was thought a small one, but
amounted to 8200. Monday's scanty throng of
visitors were chiefly attracted to the Egyptian
mummy gallery, to the collection of ancient and
modern coins and medals, and to the manuscripts
exhibited in the King's Library in commemoration of
the fifth centenary of Wycliff, the Reformer.
The Zoological Gardens had 28,988 vibiturs, about'
3000 less than on Easter Monday, but 500 more
last Whit Monday.

The thousands of excursionists who visited Wind.aor
Castle and the district experienced a mocit'enjoyable
outing. Every train from London and the suburbs
brought down numbers of holiday pc ople to the Great
Western and South-Western tertnini, which presnted
an exceedingly busy appearance. Others reached the
town by road and drive, the dusty uniforms of the
cyclists contrasting somewhat unfavourably with the
cooler costumes of the boating parties. The State
apartments of the palace were the chief attraction,
and to these most of the visitors made their way im-
mediately after their arrival. Tho Round Tower was
closed, it being feared that accidents might occur
upon the staircase leading to its lofty bitttlements.
, On Monday, owing to the late dynamite outrages,
the Tower of London was garrisoned by the
Ist Battalion of the 63rd nulcl-ester Regiment,
under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel William
L. Auchinleck. The portals of the fortress were
besieged by a large crowd of excursionists from the
country. In consequence of the late outrages orders
were given that all persons carrying bags, portman-
teaus, and articles wrapped up in bulk wishing to
view the Tower were to leave them in charge of the
custodian in the refreshment department. During
the day upwards of 8560 persons visited the Tower.
The number of visitors to the Crystal Palace was
55,870.
The number of visitors to the International Health
Exhibition was 5:1,679.