The death of Mr. Harry Beauchamp, who for more than 50 years, in one Capacity or another, looked after the seats in London's parks, recalls how fashions have changed in seating accommodation as in everything else. Mr. Beauchamp first worked as a blacksmith, repairing the ironwork of the straight-backed -chairs on which Victorian ladies and gentlemen' were Obliged to sit. Deck chairs had not then been invented.
He was fond of telling how everybody in Hyde Park would scamper to see Queen Victoria go past, when {he cry went up: "The Queen!" AN sorts of possessions would be left behind in the rush and he and other assistants would be busily employed for some hours taking articles along to the lost property office.
In later years Mr. Beauchamp was responsible for seating guests at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle garden parties. He was often complimented by King Edward VII On the way he carried out the arrangement:
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