The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-06-22
GAMBLING ON
 KINGS LIFE 
 Odds That He Will five till June 2fx 500 TO 3 IS Nc.ss|o >fFERED
 $ Edwards ..h is a Source
 ol Worry.
500 TO 3 IS Nce eS$' ,fFERED
Preparations for the Browning Hurry on Apace-Decorations Eclipse Anything Ever Before Known
 in the Metropolis.

London, June "A brisk business was done this week at LIcyds in the corona ticn gamble. The odds given were 500 to against the event occurring, or, to use the technical expression. the rates on the risk of the King living until June 26 ruled at per cent premium.
 Many thousands of pounds sterling were underwritten on this basis This shows to what extent public nervousness has grown in certain circles.
 Careful investigation reevals that there is no ground for believing that the Kings health Is any verse than the of- ficial reports indicated. His nerves were rather upset by the unfortunate illness at Aldershot and every precaution is be- ing taken to prevent q recurrence of such a sudden indisposition.
 In the meantime, preparations for the crowning hurry on apace. It is already difficult for pedestrians to traverse the main thoroughfares. such as the Strand, Piccadilly and Whitehall. during the greater part of the day, and they are all most impossible at night owing to the crowds of visitors with which store clerks. costers of London and the marvel ous floating population mingle nightly as they wander through the streets, gaz-
 ing at the decorations, which are now taking on a finished aspect
 Decorations on Large Scale.
 Such illuminations, festooning and be- Tagging as will mark coronation day. Thursday next, have never before beer seen in London. Scarcely a house along the principal parts of the route of the procession but has been erected an cleo trio or gas device, while d profusion of gay cloths and flags, interspersed with notices and representations of the royal arms already hide most of the outer walls.
 Some of the streets are already roped with dazzling festoons of fairy lamps. Even the abused stands which for weeks have made London so hideous with their bare boards are now rapidly being drap- cd in rich purple or other suitable col ors.
 The United States Embassy has joined in the general jubilaton, and Is erecting an illumination surmounted by crown. Throughout London American firms and individuals are not white behind the British in decorating their premises. Countless stars and stripes will fly out of windows Thursday and Friday as a welcome to the newly-crowned King. In fact, some of the most elaborate displays of the metropolis will be held by Ameri- can firms doing business here.
 Reid and Waldorf Astor.
 Among the host of special coronation representatives. MT. and Mrs. Whtelaw Reid are having, perhaps. tho most in- terestng round of entertainment, They spent Ascot week at Cliveden. with Will liam Waldorf Astor. whence q large and ct n hph .fNE IafIN A1 the races. Friday MT. and Mrs. Reid lunched with the Rev. Albert Wilberforce D. D.. Arch deacon of Westminster, who took them over the Abbey.
 The enga gements of MT. and Mrs. Reid are booked far into July June q they dine with the Prince and Princess of Wales, June 27 with Lord Lansdowne. the Foreign Secretary. to meet King Ed ward and Queen Alexandra
 The special ambassador of the Tinted States has bought a large number of seats for friends. in a stand at Richmond Terrace
 The colonial executives. all of whom have arrived here except Sir Wilfrid Laurier, the Premier of Canada. are also features of attraction.
 From the colonial contingents, however, angry protests are now being registered. It appears that the war office arranged that all the troops, specially sent to the coronation. shall, with the exception of the cavalry. be utilized to line the route of the procession, instead of actually partaking in it. As the major parts of the visiting contingents consists of in- fantry, the arrangement has created bit ter disappointment.
 Alexandra Park, where the colonials are encamped. is now a perfect morass. due to the recent heavy rains, The accom- modations for the troops are utterly in- adequate and many of the officers, refus- ing to stay in the tents, have taken rooms near by.
 Beside the complaints of the colonials, several of the leading dailies are vehe- mently protesting against the special war coronation contingent, hurriedly sent by Lord Kitchener from South Africa at the governments request, being detailed to guard the route instead of marching through the streets.