Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-06-17

festivities were fully 1naugurated WIN
the return today of the king and queen
to Buckingham palace from Windsor,
central event of next Thursday will
crowd one upon another until July 1,
when the court will again leave Lon
don.
ARRIVE IN sEMI-STATE.
Semi-state marked the arrival of
their majesties in the metropolis today.
Large crowds everywhere welcomed
the king and queen. Monday will wit
ness the arrival of most of the royal
guests and other special missions from
abroad.
Special Ambassador Hammond from
the United States will make his Off
cial entry into the city at noon, arriv-
ing from the country, where he is
spending the weekend He will be met
by the Duke of Connaught, represent
ing the king, and other officials espe-
cially appointed to attend the Ameri-
can envoy.
PREPARATIONS MADE.
London. June 1.-THE final prepara-
tions for the coronation festivities
through next week are rapidly being
brought to a close, and the city is fast
being giving over TO spirit of holi-
day rejoicing on a colossal scale. with
untold thousands of visitors from
America and other parts Of the world
here, TO join in the royal demonstra
tion.
80 A notable feature along the lines of
route to be followed by the newly
crowned king, in his procession
through the streets of London next
Thursday and Friday, is the almos:
complete transformation of familiar
sights. Churches, ancient edifices
public buildings and private residen-
ces have entirely changed their ap-
pearance. Starting with the Westmsn-
ster Abbey itself, the annex added a
increase the accommodation has altered
its aspect almost alarmingly, although
efforts were exerted to lend an air of
age to the stucco addition.
SURROUNDED WITH STANDS.
The Parliamentary church of st. Mar
garet and the adjacent Parliment
square are unrecOgnizable in conse
quence of the gigantic stands covered
with purple bunting, surrounding ard
hiding them from view. On the latter
spot the statue of Lord Beaconsfeld
appears to look down on the passing
procession as from a private box at a
theatre, for it is enclosed in a square
wooden palisade reaching to the
breast
Then along Whitehall, stand after
stand varies the usual appearance of
the imposing government offices and
the oldfashioned Admiralty. At Traf-
algar square Lanseers lions have dis |
appeared under timber tiers of seats. |
Old Saint Martins in the Fields is
cIoaked in bunting and surrounded by /
crowded stands.
BUY CHAIRS As SOUVENIRS.
In response 10 many petitions from |
participants in the coronation cere- /
monial. the Office of works has de |
cided TO permit those present TO pUr-
chase as souvenirs the chairs and /
stands on which they sat. all of which .
are marked with the word Coronation"
and the date of the occurrence.
The onerous duty of the disposition 4
OF the guests mas idliSu on luS Earl
Marshall the duke of Norfolk, who /
for many weeks has been the busiest
man in England His task was rem
dered all the more difficult by reason
of the fact that the space in West
minister Abbey is very limited and he
fore he was able to take into consider
alton any of the thousands of apP'i
cations for invitations from the ais
tinguished visitors and others des-r-
Gus of being present. he was compeii-
ed TO provide sitting room for no few
er than 4,040 official guests.
GUESTS OF TITLE
These guests comprised 40 members
of the royal family. 250 foreign rulers
and representatives of foreign staies,
$50 peers and peeresses, go mem
bers of Parliment, 500 members of the
diplomatic sorps. privy councillors,
bishops and judges. COO official colonial
representatives and 7S0 officers of The
army and navy. kings councillors aud
members of the royal houshold. As
the abbey is capable of holding on'J
slightly under 6.000. there remained
only about 1000 places TO be disposed
of TO the unofficial public a large
STAFF was engaged in the Earl Mar