There was a popular delusion to the effect that the event would be good for trade, and undoubtedly it has been so far as a few Court dress-makers and such like people are concerned, but a few days ago I had a chat with one of the managing directors of a large store, and he told me that for general trade the season had been one of the worst they had experienced for many years—mainly owing to the weather, which "has simply killed the sale of thin dresses, but likewise in consequence of the Coronation festivities, which are taking the place of private entertainments to a great extent. Iglanced at the piles of muslin dresses I saw and laughingly said "I sup-in a few weeks' time, if anyone comes in for a reel of cotton, you will beg them to take away a muslin dress as a gift." He said it would almost come to that during the sales, so some people will reap the advantage, though personally I prefer to buy my clothes fresh. and at the commencement of the season instead of storing them for months on the chance of liking them next year.
Seats to view the Procession through London next Friday are somewhat ofadrug in the market. A vendor remarked a few days ago, mournfully, that "at the time of the Diamond Jubilee he got twenty guineas each for these seats \astand in Whitehall), now he has to take five." As the gentleman seemed to have the majority of them unsold and they were sodden with rain I fancy next week he gladly accept a guinea or even ten ngs. There seems no doubt that we have had too many big processions durin, the past few years, Since the Diamon Jubilee the Great Queen has died and the ©. L Vs have returned—from the war, to say nothing of Lord Roberts and several minor lights, and soon Lord Kitchener and the Guards will need a weleome—and a rizhtRoyal one they will get—the element of novelty has worn off and hundreds, nay thousands, of Londoners will choose a game of tennis or a day on the river in preference to sitting for hours on an uncomfortable stand to watch a King go by to be ctowaed.
Was it a Practical Joke? which boasts that its circulation is ive A few days ago a halfpenny newspaper
times as large as any penny London Morning Journal" informed ils readers that the King's crown—the new one to be worn next week—was on view at Garrards, where it had been seen by numerous distinguished visitors, among them being Princess Fredericka of Hanover, King Lewanika and several of the Indian potentates; a full description of its magnificence followed. Not having received an invitation to the Abbey, and wishing to include a description, from personal inspection, of the crown in this letter, I went with much trouble (as the trafic was greatly congested) tothe Haymarket, enquired for a member of the firm, and preferred my request. Result 2 volcano Martinique and St. Vincent were child's play to the abuse I heard levelled at this much-read little paper. Even if Messrs. Garrards had the 'Ring's' crowe in their possession-—which they had not—was it in the least likely that they would show it to aay one except by special order from His- Majesty,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.