The arrangements for the Diamond Jubilee celebrations are still going on apace. Sums being asked for windows commanding & view of the procession are steadily increasing. Single seats in good positions are already being sold for prices varying from £5 to #10—many householders Will not let at present as they believe that when visitors from America and the Colonies arrive they will be willing to pay higher prices than those now asked, and if it is true as is reported, that Mr. and Mrs. Bradley-Martin have signified their willingness to pay £1,800 for a suite of rooms commanding 'a good view of the procession, it is probable that those who are holding ack now may make more money. A strange scheme has been started by some members of the Stock Exchange, according to a prospoctus (issued among themselves only). They intend opening an Art Union with tickets one guinea each. The winner is to have a loom with a window commanding a good view of the procession and free luncheon for himself and party—consisting of ten people. At first there was a little difficulty about the drawing, art unions being illegal here, but this has been got over by the device of holding it at Flushing.
suppose if this goes off quickly others will soon follow. Great indignation has been caused in the Borough by some landlords who have given notice to their smaller tenants on hearing that the procession was to pass that way—their reason being that they say they can make more money by letting rooms for that day only than they usually get for the whole year. Sir John Brunner brought the matter up in the House a few nights ago and called the attention of the Home Secretary to it, but without much result. He asked among other questions whether a magistrate would have power on the hearing of a ease to adjourn his decision until after the 22nd of June. Mr. Darling likewise asked whether the Home Secretary or the Government would in any way divert the route as at present arranged, so as to counteract any scheme of this kind which may have been resolved upon. Sir Matthew White Ridley replied that he had no particular information upon the subject beyond the communication of Sir John Brunner, but with with regard to his question, he should think it highly improper if he were to indicate to any magistrate the course he should take upon any legal proceedings that might he instituted. Replying to Mr. Darling he said that his office had no power to settle what route Her Majesty might be pleased to take upon her passing through London on the 22nd of June. Itis hoped the matter will not rest here, though it is difficult to say what is to be done if the landlords have not sufficient sense of honour to act rightly without coercion.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.