Evening star., 1911-06-10

to London is naturally Westminster Abbey
Foreign feet turn in that direction as
naturally az American feet in Washington
point toward Mount Vernon. But during
these precoronation days the pilgrimage
is in vain. A policeman will courteously
but firmly announce to the newcomer
that the abbey is closed for the decora-
tions. The coronation is now more than
two months Oft, but 1t is nevertheless
shut as tight as drum to those who
want to look upon the last resting places
of those of England's great men who
have been chosen for this supreme hour
which is not to say England's greatest
men, for there are graves quite as inter-
esting and significant beyond the ex-
elusive precincts Of the valhalla Of Brit
ain.
This generaus provision of time for the
will be a gorgeous sight when the great
day arrives. Naturally, the tourists curl
osity Is whetted and one wonders wheth-
er there may not be ways and means of
slipping through the doors to view the
process Of cloaking the architectural
gauds of ceremony.
Just outside of the abbey the morning Of
my own disappointment workmen were
starting the erection of one OF the numer-
GUS viewing stands that are to be put up
all along the line of the coronation pro-
cession. There were. perhaps. twenty men
thus engaged. Along the curb, beyond the
fence. were fully four times as many
more. looking hungrily on while their
more favored and fortunate fellows earn
ed few shillings apiece. A policeman
was busy keeping them from crowding
upon the sidewalk They were waiting in
hope of an enlargement Of the force, or
the falling out of some of those en-
ployed.
Problem Of Unemployed.
This was my first glimpse of the ''un-
employed There will doubtless be many
such scenes in the course Of the costly
preparations for the pagentry Of June.
In fact. it is understood, that the govern
over the possibility of q great "unem-
ployed" demonstration marring the
coronation. Orators are constantly ha-
grouphs of idle men at the places
set apart for street meetings. telling them
how "downtrOd" they are. and condemn
ing the extravaganza of the provisions for
King Georges investiture.
1t is a singular commentary that this
great spectacle, thus roundly denounced
by the ''spouters' at the street corners,
is relied upon by several thousand men
in London to furnish them with enough
summer. One consequence is that the
perfervid talk OF those who are declaim-
ing against the pomp of the crowning is
falling upon deaf ears.
The most pleasing token Of the corona
ton spirit is the uncovering of the me-
mortal to Queen Victoria, which stands
in front of Buckingham Palace at the
head of the Mall. 1t has been completed
for some time, but there was a disposi-
ton on the part Of rs creator to wait
for a suitable time to display it. None
could be more appropriate than the form
al designation of Victoria's grandson as
King Of England. So the heavv wooden
box with which the marble has been sc
moval and the shining mass stands forth
in glowing contrast 10 the dark face dc
of the paiace. II is trlu nphaht sue
cess In sharp distin' ti,n 10 The much
ton Gardens. this Is almost entirely In
white. 1t does. in truth. possess ail,
angel of peace on top, somewhat sugges-
tive Of the enormous gold prince consort
who farther, west sits moodily contem-
plating the squat memorial hall across
the street, canopied in his distraction b.
a mass of tinsel and Christmas tree OF
namentation.
Outlines Truly Noble.
The gold apex Of the Victoria cree tior
is subordinated, however. by the truly
noble outlines and masses of the whole
shaft In front, facing eastward. sits the
late queen. enthroned. At pre.enr hel
figure is swathed in the conventional
drapings which denote that a statue Is
officially invisible, and SO 1t is impossible
to see whether the sculptor has presented
the ruler of many years In her middle
age or her later aspect.
The whole memorial becomes fOun.
ton by an artistic treatment OF the base
Groups and reliefs balance the shaft and
pediment. and 1t is to be believed tina,
when it is formally unveiled In June
before an assemblage of crowned heads
probably never before exceeded in mum.
bers and notoriety, it will be hailed as
a noble addition to London's artistic
attractions. At present the dominan
feeling it inspires Is one of regret that
so beautiful thing should be uncovered
to be soon grimed with the soot-laden
air of the capital, which knows no rank
, in its blackening work, but reduces pal
ace and business house and slum tene
ment equally to the same dirty, gloomy
hue. 1t is said. hopefully. by some here
that the use of soft coal is lesseninl
in the residences. in favor of gas, and tina
there Is a steady decrease in the amoun,
of smoke. But 1t Is hardly to be ex.
pected that the pure whiteness of the
Victoria. memorial will long survive the
work of the atmosphere.
G. A. LYON, Jr.