The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-06-27
SCENES IN LONDON.
Exodus of Visitors--HOliday Crowds
I'm the Streets.

LONDON, June 26.-Only to-day is Lon
don beginning to realize the pratical effects
of the coronation postponement The exc
dus Of visitors to the continent and prov
inces is taxing the capacity of railroads and
steamboats,. This return traffic, however.
nowise makes up the railroad lines loss of
hundreds of thousands of passengers from
the provinces and nearer continental points
who had delayed their coming to the last
moment. The big tourist agencies were
crowded all day, booking the cheaper class
of "trppers." for whom London, minus
the coronation, had no attraction. How
much Londons floating population has been
reduced during the past twenty-four hours
il is hard TO estimate. All persons of mod
crate means who can go away are getting
out of the city as quickly as possible. The
smaller hotels and boarding houses are
the worst sufferers. The big hotels de-
clare they have been almost unaffected by
the postponement of the Kings crown
ing, the Weather Americans and others
who had come to witness the coronation
making no move to go, though the next
fortnight doubtless will witness a general
migration TO the continent and Scotland
The transatlantic booking offices are
Hooded with inquiries for early passages by
Americans for whom the coronation Was
the object of their visit to England.
The streets of the city to-day contained
a curious mixture of Sunday and holiday
crowds. All the banks and big business
houses in the heart of the city were shut
up. Most of the retailers were open and
the saloons and restaurants of the cheaper
sort did fairly rushing business. Many
of the usual bean-faSter class got out early
on brakes and coaches, with horns and
banners. singing, God Save the King" and
presenting every evidence of patriotism and
beer. Most of the railroads Cancelled their
excursions, so the great bulk of the bank
holiday makers were thrown back on the
streets for amusement and crowded the
Strand, Holborn and the city parks. The
motley swarm was reminiscent of Hamp-
stead Heath or OF the crowds outside cir
Gus tent But il was an aimess, discon-
ISOLATE crowd of holiday makers, the kind
of a crowd which is created by any cause
for celebration, and ii drifted slowly back
ana forth. looking at the remaining decor
atiOns, clustering around bulletin boards
and in some cases invading those of the
coronation stands which had not been de-
mOlished. sitting later in mock state and
watching the passing throng. The major
ity of the holiday makers eventually grav-
itated TO the cheap saloons and chophouses
in search of rest and refreshment. The
poorer class reaped a harvest at the big
markets where there was a glut of per-
ishable food stuffs. which, in many cases
were given away for the sake of clearing
the stands.
The great flower market at Covent Gar
den presented a pitiful scene. Hundreds
of cases Of the choicest flowers were dying
on the hands of the dealers. The small
dealers were stocked up with roses, carna-
tions and lilies, which were disposed of at
a tenth of their usual current value. Or
chids in many cases were given away.
Bfllingsgate market was glutted with sal
mon at 10 pence pound, but meats at
Smithfield market were only penny or
half penny per pound below the normal
price.
The arrangements for the Marlborough
House entertainment of children was car
ried out to-day in spite of the postponement
of the Kings coronation. About 1900 young
sters enjoyed the dinner provided for them
bv the Prince and Princess of Wales who
were present and remained in the gardens
with their little guests for a couple Of
hours