NEWS OF THE WEEK.
THE pageant of Saturday last, which had been looked for- ward to on several accounts with some anxiety, was a complete success. The weather was propitious, the King and Queen were well, and the magnificent procession of Royalties, courtiers, and great soldiers traversed the eight miles of Lon- don streets amidst shouting crowds without an accident or a hitch. Addresses were presented from the City, from the City of Westminster, from South London, and from the seventeen boroughs north of the Thames, boroughs which in size and population might be capital cities. All ancient forms were observed, the most notable being that when the procession arrived at Temple Bar the Lord Mayor "surrendered to his Majesty the sword of London." The reception in the Guildhall, which included all Ambassadors in England and the members not only of the present but of the late Cabinet, presented a magnificent scene, the lunch was short, and by half past three their Majesties were crossing London Bridge to that South London whose vastness and importance in industry are so seldom recognised. The popular welcome, everywhere warm, was here enthusiastic, but so per- fect was the order maintained that by 3.40 the Royal party had re-entered the Palace. There is some dispute as to the density of the crowds, Londoners rather expecting to be packed in a pageant like sardines, but there is none as to the loyalty, goodwill, and cheerfulness of the applauding multitude, which seemed hardly to need controL The special note of the whole demonstration, visible in all the addresses and many of the symbols displayed, was thankfulness for the King's recovery, and warm acknowledgment of his interest in the condition of the poor.
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