The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-08-09
DECORATING FOR
THE BIG PAGEANT
Once Disappointed London
Does Little.
STREET CROWDS SMALL
Westminster the Scene of What
Activity There Is,
THE PEOPLE FEAR "NNG'S WEATHER"
Tickets to the Abbey Sent Few Prominent
Americans by the Authorities Acting in
aPersonaI Capacity. Some Strik-
ing Decorations.
(By the Associated Press.)

tHS U6CJIdtOHos
(By the Associated Press.)
London, Aug. S-With the coronation
at hand London maintains it's every day
aspect. 1t is true that the short route
of the procession is decorated at some
points more brilliantly than before, but
the route is a mere speck in the great
area of the city and even on the streets
to be traversed by the procession, there
are few sight seers. The main thorough
fares, miles of which were gay with flags
and bunting in June, are now stripped,
except for the illumination fixtures which
were allowed to remain in place Cheap
side, Fleet street and the Strand. all
told, contain scarcely six decorated build
ings. Today the crowds were even
smaller than on the average week day.
owing largely to the miserable weather
which is now denominated "King's
weather" Just as sunshine was always
connected with the name of Queen Vic
toria. The weather outlook for tomor-
row is uncertain, and the Weather Bu-
reau is trying hard to find an excuse .or
a hopeful forecast.
Westminster is the center of what lit
tie activity London displays The chief
stands in the vicinity of st. Margarets
have been re-decorated and PiccadilIy
refurnished with crimson Venetian masts,
supporting trophies and flags and stream
ers of gay bunting The same general
scheme prevails in Pail Mall. Many club
stands have disappeared. The private
stands, recovered in crimson, are doing
a fair business, prices for seats running
from $40 to $50 with the cheaper classes
sold out.
One of the most striking schemes of
decoration is on the big building of the
Automobile Club in Piccadilly, the front
of which is studded with 200 big acetylene
motor lamps, promising a brilliant dis
play at night. number of houses at
Hyde Parks corner and its vicinity are
handsomely decorated with artificial
flowers. The incandescent illumination
promises the best effects of all the deco
rations. A remarkable feature to Ameri-
can eyes is the general use of gas N
preference to electricity. The Bank of
England, Mansion House, and many
private buildings are covered with an
unsightly maze of pipes with hundreds OF
small burners, globes and crystal devices
containing the crown and the royal
cipher.
Westminster Abbey today received the
precious regalia, which was taken under
a strong guard from the tower. and also
a wealth of gold and silver plate from
buckingham Palace, all of which will be
guarded tonight by a strong detachment
OF Life Guards and Yeoman Guards.
DaCnita ho
the special embassies the government has
Deen somewhat embarrassed to find a
lew OF these guests still on hand. While
WhltelaW Reid. the special American
AMBASSADOR, announced the formal dis
solution OF his embassy. General Wilson.
\. L. Baylles and j. Pierpont Morgan,
Jf.' are now in London, and the authorj-
lies' VINO were decidedly doubtful as to
"hether they should recognize their pres
ehce' nnaily settled the matter by send
ing an Oh them tickets to the abbey, but
elipnaslzlng the fact that the ecu. tesy
was extended In strictly personal ca
paoi'y' has Makonnen, the envoy of
emperor Menehk of Abyssinia, also re-
turned In barbaric splendid array.
curious feature Of the coronation
preparations is the immense rush oe
hollday seekers out of town. All rail
ways advertising special excursions to
the country, report a slight increase in
the incoming traffic. TIE restaurants and
hotels are not risking repetition of tho
enormous losses in June. and insurance
rates rule even higher now than on Juno
70, brokers' asking four per cent against
three in June. Lloyds report a few
takers at that price.
number of important changes in +bo
coronation program were announced TO-
day. The recognition, in which the King
is presented to the people, by the arch
bishop of Canterbury as the "undoubted
King of the realm will be performed
but once instead of four times as given
in the official program. The Litapy
which was to have followed the recog-
milton. will not be said. the sermon will
be omitted and the TIE Deum which was
placed in the order of the service after
the presenting of the Bible will not be
given at that time, but will be sung
during the recess, at the close of the
coronation office, when the King visits
Saint Edwards Chapel. Owing to the age
OF the very Rev. George Granville Brad
ley, the dean of Westminster, who is 81
years old, the King has relieved him of
the duty of placing the regalia upon the
altar, and this service will be performed
by Canon Duekworth, but the dean will
present the crown to the archbishop for