The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-06-18

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,hered TO, 1t is safe to .say.that butlfew
coronnatioris IN the 500, years Of history
of the British Empire lcould in any
measure approach the coming one.
fact which has increased the en-
thusiasm OF the British subjects is the
comparative youth of the new King
and Queen. While the late King Ed
ward was immensely popular. his adj
vanced age and feeble health cast a
shadow over his coronation festivities
In 1902. King George, however, is
only in his fortyffth' year, and from
all accounts In the best Of health, and
his reign is looked forward to as a
long and prosperous one. M
Ceremonies Begin To-,Iorrow.
Although festivities Incident to the
coronation have been under way for
several weeks past, the official cereno-
niles will not begin until Monday,
when the representatives of the various
European countries will arrive. The
great spectacle will come Thursday.
when the King and Queen will be
crowned in Westminster Abbey, and
from then until the 29th 1t will be one
continuous round of social functions,
pageants. reviews. professions. exhibi-
tions. contests. etc, such as never have
before been witnessed.
In honor of this great event London
Is riot Of color. 1t is estimated that
at least sl0,000.000 has been spent in
decorating the city. Magnificent arch
ways span the routes along which roy
atty will travel during the ensuing
two weeks. and every building and me-
moral OF Importance is outlined with
electric lights.
Immense stands from which to view
=. ri.
day line every street along the route,
and completely hide the churches, pub
lie buildings and private residences.
There is not foot of available space
along the entire route that Is not ocz
cupied BY stands of some kind. While
the architectural beauty of the ancient
city has suffered some as a result the
disposition OF generosity to visiting
sightseers has been sufficient to allay
any feeling of pride which might man
ifest itself
Come From Every Country.
1t would be difficult TO form an idea
of the enormous horde Of visitors that
has invaded this great metropolis. They
hall from every country on the globe
and number a t least 100000. OF this
amount one-quartcr, at least are
Americana, and 1t iB this class that
| occupies the most expensive suites at
the hotels and have engaged the best
seats along the coronation route.
London tonight resembles a fairy
city. The millions OF electric lights
that have been strung In every con-
ccivable place. with an eye to tho artis-
tic. have converted darkness into light.
and the main thoroughfares are choked
with a. struggling mass of humanity.
No similar spectacle has been wilt
messed since tho browning Of King Ed
ward in 1902.
AS had been expected. every hostelry
and boarding house within tho city
limits is overrun with guests The
proprietors have been forced to come
| down little on their rates. owing to
the protests on the part of many of the
visitors, but they still are getting be-
tween two and three times MS much
as they ordinarily do A number OF
the invaders have taken up their abode
1 In the numerous tent cities" which
have been erected In number OF the
parks. This Is an innovation for Lon
don. and hns proved very successful,
BY sleeping beneath tho g canvas is
about the only way that the. visitor
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