The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-08-15

- Nc L 4 dAC just DOOInln2 al sunrise
of coronation day.
London, Aug. S.-The eve of the coro-
nation Of King Edward VII was mark
ed in London by large crowds which
wandered all the evening somewhat
aimlessly through the semi-illuminated
streets. Down Whitehall, where the
Canadian arch was the center of at
and along the Strand the sidewalks
were blocked with the expectant popu-
lace. The people were deferred from
any signs of rowdyism by the acute re-
collections of the recent postponement
Of the coronation. and those who had
seen the unrestrained exhibition which
occurred upon the slightest pretext dur
ing wal times could not fail to notice
the different temperament shown to-
night With a few exceptions it might
we'll have been said of the metropolis
that il was living up to the national
reputation of taking its pleasure some
sadly.
A number of important changes in
the coronation programme were an
nounced today. The recognition. in
which the king is presented to the peo-
pie by the archbishop of Canterbury as
the 'undoubted King of the Realm"
viii be performed but once instead Of
TOUR times as given in the official pro-
Sramme. The Litany, which was to
have followed the recognition, will not
be said, the sermon VIII he omitted
and the tie deum" which was placed in
the order Of the service after the pre-
senting of the Bible will not be given at
that time. but will be SUNG curing the
recess, ait the close of the coronation Of
hce, when the king visits Saint Ed
wards chapel.
Owing TO the age of The Very Rev.
George Granville Bradley the dean of
Westminster, who is eighty-one years.
the king has relieved him of the duty of
placing the regalia upon the altar, and
this service will be performed by Canon
Duckworth but the dean viii present
thGCrown to the archbishop for the act
Oh coronation and will present the COM
muniOn cup to the king.
With the coronation at hand, London
maintains its every day aspect. 1t is
true that the short route of the pro-
ceSSio1 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 ira
Versed by the procession there are few
sight seers. The main throroughfares.
miles of which were gay with flags and
bunting in June, are now stripped eX-
cept for the Illumination fixtures which
were allowed to remain in place.
C~heapside, Fleet street and The
Strand all told, contain scarcely six dec
GRATED buildings. Today the crowds
were even smaller than on the average
week day, owing largely to the misera-
BILE weather which is now denominated
Kings weather. just as sunshine was
n1-ro NC "a 4I0 80
Queen Victoria. The weather outlook
for tomorrow is uncertain and the
weather bureau is trying hard to find
an excuse for 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 Piccadilly
refurbished with crimson venetian
masts, supporting tropics and flags
Joined by treame of gay bunting.
The same general scheme prevails in
Pail Mall. Many club stands have dis
ed 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 Piccadiliy, the front
of which is studded with 200 big acety-
lene motor lamps, promising q brilliant
= "N AASAN" ~ AAS NONS~
at Hyde park corner and its vicinity are
handsomely decorated with artificial
flowers. The incandescent illumination
promises the best effects of all the
decorations. 4 remarkable feature to
Aherican eyes is the general use of gas
in 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 de-
vices containing the crown and the
royal cipher.
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.
Despite the announced departure of
all the special embassies the govern
ment has been somewhat embarrassed
to find n few of these guests still on
hand. While Whitelaw Reid, the
special American ambassador announc-
ed the formal dissolution of his en-
bassy General Wilson, f. L. Baylies and
J.. Pierpont Morgan, Jr., are now in
London and the authorities, who were
doubtful as 70 whether they should re-
cognize their presence finally settled the
matter by sending all OF them tickets
to the abbey, but emphasizing the Iact
that the courtesy was EXTENDED IN q
strictly personal capacity. Ras Makon-
men, the envoy of Emperor Menelik or
Abyssinia, also returned in barbara
splendor ready to participate and the
government good naturally took him
under its wing. giving him a good seat
in the abbey.
I A curious feature of the coronation
APPROXIMATIONS is the immense ush of
holiday seekers out of town. All rail-
ways advertising special excursions to
ne country report a slight increase in
e incoming traffic. The restaurants
hotels are not risking a repetition of
kenormous losses in June and insur-
rates rule even higher now than
ane. 18th, brokers asking four per
@xeainst three in June. Lloyds re-
takers at that price.