Evening star., 1901-05-20

rake up the census returns taken on this
occasion, and prove to the satisfaction OF
his fellow -antiquarians that London, in the
Victorian age, was rural and agricultural.
Housing London's Workers.
The discussions that have taken place
within the last few days respecting the
housing of the working classes dispos-
sessed by railway extensions and other
improvements are not viewed hopefully by
philanthropists. This question is the de-
spair of economic reformers. They ask.
for instance. what will become of the pop
ulation from the slums, swept away by the
demolition of the Strand-Holborn area for
the new road? An area as big as small
town is being demolished. 1t aboundS with
courts and slums, in which the poor
swar mas in rabbit warrens. These people
certainly will not go to the new buildings,
If any. provided for them by the county
council.
Dispossessed populations rarely resort to
the tenements erected by the county coun-
Gil, chiefly because they are too expensive.
The evicted populations swarm forth into
other districts. where they create fresh
slums. One remarkable instance of the
non-use by the poor of the dwellings pro-
yided for them In improved districts is af-
forded by lOrdly pile of tenements that
were erected facing the river between
Chelsea bridge and Albert bridge. to pro-
vide for the population dispossesSed when
the railway was made to the Victoria ter
minus.
None Of these tenements are occupied by
the class for whom they were intended.
They are tenanred by sergeants of police,
foremen, clerks and persons of that class,
and also by persons of independent means.
l am told that even members of aristo-
cratic families reside there. and 1t Is cer-
tain that carriages may often be seen at
the doors.
1t is hopeless to expect the poor metro
politan workers to go into the suburbs.
where the model dwellings are being erected
for them. for even If transport We're good,
which it Is not. they could not afford to do
so. Besides, they love their slums. 1t is
a big question here just now in London.
where so many Improvements" are being
made.
LOndon's Coaching Season.
The London coaching season. which will
be in full swing next week, will not, 50
far be seen, show that accession
of brilliance which is hoped for year after
year by the enthusiasts of the old mode
of travelling, but somehow never seems to
come near realization. These coaches have
been kept on all through the winter, and
there will now be some nine others regu-
larly running from Northumberland ave-
nue., the American hotel center. The great
er number of coaches make only short
journeys-to Hampton Court, Windsor,
Ockham, Dorking. etc.-returning to Lon
don the same day. The only really long
trip is by a coach which, leaving London
on Mondays. goes by daily stages to OK
ford, to Banbury and to Avon,
getting back to Northumberland avenue by
the same route on Saturdays.
Coronation Next May Day.
1t is practically fixed that the corona
tion will take place on May day next year.
at Westminster Abbey. According to
precedent the ceremonial, if carried out in
full. will exceed five hours in duration.
There will be a state banquet in the
evening and illuminations in London, with
display of fireworks in Victoria and Hyde
Parks Two drawing rooms and two lev
ees will be held within the following week,
and the king will go in state to lunch at
the Guildhall. There will be a state per-
formance at the opera, but probably none
at the Albert Hail. which has not enjoyed
much royal patronage since the death Of
the late Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha.
1t is contemplated that the famous meal
to poor children in Hyde Park will be
peated and some mark of royal benevo-
lence be bestowed on the London hoSpi-
tails
The king, who is taking the greatest in
terest in the reftting of White Lodge,
which he has granted to Mrs Hartmann,
as l mentioned last week, was at Richmond
again on Sunday, inquiring into the ar
rangements that are in preparation The
furniture and fittings of White Lodge gen
orally belong to the crown, but a certain
proportion of the furniture belonged to the
late Duchess of Teck, and this has been
sold The close interest his majesty is
taking in the matter tends to confirm the
report L have heard that when Mrs. Hart
mann is established at the White Lodge
she will receive for long visits the young
children of the Duke and Duchess of Corn
wall.
1t is slightly ridiculous to carry the ma
tional mourning for the queen on to the
race course. There will be no royalty at
. t. II
er; but 1t seems, to say the least of it,
rather peculiar to drape the royal stand
in black. In spite of the absence of royal
personages. the crowd at Ascot will be as
gay, brilliant and frivolous as usual The
national mourning will not affect the en-
joyment of the people. nor is 1t likely that
their thoughts will travel to the dead
queen. L. H. MOORE.