WHY NOT A THAMES PAGEANT AT THE CORONATION ?
[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR.") SIR,—It is much to be wished that among the pageants in celebration of the forthcoming Coronation there might be one day a Royal procession on the Thames, which would give to many thousands an opportunity of seeing a spectacle they would otherwise have no chance of enjoying. I am among the few remaining who have lived under five Sovereigns; and as a Westminster boy I saw William IV. crowned,—at that time the Westminster boys had (or it was believed they had) a prescriptive right to be present in the Abbey. But of the many things I have seen in the course of my long life, none has left a greater impression on my memory than the river ceremonial in August, 1831, when the King and Queen passed in state under the central arch of " New London Bridge." The crowd was immense and enthusiastic. It was a novel
thing to that generation to see a King and Queen, and it was a beautiful and thrilling eight. I doubt if the Royal barges have been used since that day, but they must be in safe keep- ing somewhere, and would only require regilding for the Coronation week.—I am, Sir, &c., W. A. TOLLEMACHE. Bisby, Bury St. Edmunds.
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