The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-06-19
VIEW OF WESTMINSTER ABBEY
WHICH HAS BEEN ELABoRATELr
DECORATED FOR CORONATION.
Priceless Tapestries from the Palace
of the MarlbOrOughs-Seats for the
Peeresses All Secretly Marked.

LONDON. June ls-It was officially an
nounced to-day that in view OF the strain
of the approaching coronation King Ed
wards physicians have recommended that
his Majesty forego all public engagements
for the next few days. Neither his Majesty
nor Queen Alexandra attended the races at
Ascot Heath to-day. Nothing more has de-
veloped concerning the alleged plot against
the King. and Scotland Yard has not yet
taken the public into its confidence.
After being almost Theoretically closed to
the public and press for two months. West
minister Abbey, in its coronation dress. was
described I'm to-days Times. commencing
with the artificial annex. which. externally.
blends so perfectly in color and architeo-
ture with the old structure as TO deceive
the experienced eye. The correspondent
says the abbey inside has the appearance
of a vast hall with a timbered roof sup
ported on square pillars and carved arches.
Here tine procession viii be formed up.
Upon the walls are costly tapestries and a
magnificent collection Of old armor and
lances from the tower. The stands in the
abbey itself. the erection Of which caused
some disapproval are so placed that the
architectural beauty OF the ancient build
ing is by no means married They are
draped with a mixture Of delicate blue and
old gold velvet. on either side. near the
west enc. are priceless tapestries lent by
the Duke and Duchess Of Marlborough. and
a thick. dark blue carpet has been laid
down. 1t specially manufactured for
the occasion and is ornameuted with the
star and garter, the rose. thistle and sham
rock. and the Egyptian lotus wreathed in
laurel.
The transepts are filed with seats to the
south for the peeresses and 20 the north
with seats for peers. Above them are two
great galleries for the members OF the
House of Commons and their wives The
peeresses' chairs are OF the Chippendale
pattern and are ample enough 20 make the
most portly duchess comfortable. All the
chairs are engraved with the crown and
the date of the corona ton. An inscription
on each chair is secretly marked so that
forged reduplioation would be impossible.
In the great central space. known the
theater. where the GROWING will actually
occur. there has been laid over the dais
famous Oriental carpet made In 1910. For
the rehearsals an ordinary carpet and two
draped armchairs have suffccd. Through
out there is evidence OF good taste and the
arrangements have approached such
stage OF completion that there Is no doubt
that everything will be perfectly ready to-
morrow week.
The announcement published I'm the news
| papers that the Bank OF England and other
! city buildings in its vicinity would expert
| ment with the coronation illuminations to-
/ night drew enormous crowds TO the city
1 after dark. All wheeled traffic on the
| streets in the neighborhOod Of the bank
! was stopped and the thoroughfares were
| completely filled with people slowly march
| ing along. In some places the crowds were
/ extremely rough and gave a foretast~ OF
! the possible occurrences OF coronation
night. The illuminations At the bank and
in Princess and Lombard streets were very
| effective