The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-06-23
Coronation Week Opens With
 Unusual Gaiey
EDWARDS HEALTH IS GOOD
Streets Are Packed and Decorations Are Lavlsh-AmerIoan Flags Are In EvIdence-Walder-
 see Is Entertained.

London. June 22-The reappesrance to- day Of brilliant sunshine, after weeks of rain and nurky weather. gave to the first day of coronation week an air of un- usual gaiety and giaddened the hearts of thousands of British subjects from all parts of the empire and thousands of for eigners who are pouring Into London ea- ger to witness as much of this weeks events as possible
 The announcement that King Edward Queen Alexandra and the court would return to London tomorrow from Windsor at noon increased the universal anticipa- tions for that day and served to quiet, to some extent, the flood of extraordinary rumors concerning the kings physical condition, varied in some quarters by weird tals of plots to assassinate his ma jesty and other fictions, all of which have been promptly denied by the offic- ials most intimately connected with the king.
 Edwards Health Good. King Edwards health was authorita- lively declared to be good at Windsor
  jesty attended C.vlne service accompa- nied by other mem.ers of the royal fam fly. This evening he enjoyed a drive through the royal gardens of Windsor Castle in a closed carriage. The court will arrive at Buckingham Palace tomor- row before luncheon time.
 At the command of the King many thousand persons were admitted to the east terrace of Windsor Castle this af- ternoon for the Sunday oand concerts. The terrace was crowded. The Kiug and the Queen listened to the music from the windows of their private apartments. King Edwards appearance does not jus tify the sensational runners of his fll- ncss. The crowded condition of the streets of London throughout furnished an omen of the conditions of travel through these streets the latter days of this week. The barriers across the streets which inter- sect those through which the corona ton processions will pass and which have now been completed are proving an i'm pediment to ordinary traffic,t Today it was impossible to proceed farther than at a snairs pace through the thorough
  sion House.
 Omnibus Rates Raised.
 The omnibus companies have increased previous fares two and three times, and further increases in these rates are prob able. The obtaining of seat on en om- nibus, however, was today more ques ton of physical than financial ability.
 Kensington Gardens and the beauttful groves about the Crystal and Alexandria palaces are filled with colonial and na- tive troors clad in scarlet, white, khaki and blue uniforms.
 The throngs in the streets at night 1 find much to engage the eye. The fronts l of innumerable buildings are hung with l lighted decorations and the venetian masts are covered with garlands and connected by strands of roses The streets are filled with mile after mile of many colored lights and the various stations along the route of procession are marked with arches representing Great Britain's colonies. American flags were in evidence at a great number of | windows Some hotels are flying both American and British flags from their staffs in honor of the many American visitors domiciled within.
 Count Won WaIdersee Entertained.
 Count Von Waldersee. one of the Ger man representatives to the coronation; the Duke and Duchess of Aesta from Italy and many other distinguished rep resentatives of foreign royal personages arrived at London today.
 Count Von Waldersee and the German officers with him, were entertained at dinner tonight by Field Marshall Lord l Roberts. In toasting King Edward and 1 the British army. Count Won Waldersee l paid high compliment to Earl Roberts and the British army in South Africa. | flA Ahft4 marks. Earl Roberts complimented Count l Von Waldersee upon his distinguished services In China and warmly thanked 1 him in behalf of the British army, for 1 his allusions to Its work In the Trans vaal
 toast to Emperor William and the Ger | man army.
 obeying Physicians.
 King Edward daily life for the past week has been regulated to conform very 1 closely to his physicians advice and this regime has had very beneficial effect in 1 bringing about his rapid recovery from l hls recent disposition retires early, | and rises late. He breakfasts alone and | receives the fewest possible guests. He has even failed to attend some of the private morning services at Windsor Cas- tie. All state business possible has been
 
 spare hours of the past week in playing quiet games with members of his own household in his own room. Many of the privileged persons who | will occupy seats In Westminster Abbey will see little if anything of the actual | coronation ceremonies.
 Quite a number of the peeresses and l others who were admitted to the abbey to 1 witness the recent coronation rehearsals | were chagrined to find how little could l be seen from the seats allotted to them l and in consequence they have decided not | to occupy these seats, but to accept In | preference invitations to view the pro- 1 cession from points along the route of l march where they will not have to wait | so long and where there will be less re- | straint A number of seats In the abbey including those of the judges, only com mand a view of the royal procession as 1t | enters the building
 Queen Alexandra was seen in Windsor I Park yesterday riding horsebac.. for the l first time in many years.
 An unruly crowd which gathered today | to witness the military church parade had to be scattered with stream of water l from a fire hose.