15 NOVEMBER 1884, Page 2

The Lord Mayor's Show this year was unusually magnificent, Mr.

Nottage utilising the scenic capabilities involved in our Asiatic position. Asia always looks well on a stage or in a procession, and elephants with howdahs and camels caparisoned are more picturesque than any European figures. The crowd which gathered to see the display was enormous, and, as usual, was thoroughly good-tempered and obedient. It is said this may be the last of these shows ; but that is by no means certain. The people like any display which lends colour for a moment to monotonous lives ; and men anxious for high civic office will be quite willing to conciliate them with processions which, after all, do not -cost extravagant sums of money. Our dread would be, if London were united, that after a while we should have too many fete-days,—too much rivalry in efforts to amuse the populace rather than too little. One has heard of striking and costly processions in Philadelphia.