Read Peter Parley's Visit to London, During the Coronation of Queen Victoria Page 3

  CHAPTER III.

  PARLEY VISITS WESTMINSTER ABBEY AND HYDE-PARK. PREPARATIONS FOR THEFAIR.

  "AS I approached the venerable pile I found all in bustle andconfusion. Every where carpenters were busily engaged fitting upgalleries for the accommodation of spectators of the procession on theday of the coronation. Ranges of such erections lined the whole courseof the street through which the procession was to pass, up to the verydoor of the Abbey; even the church-yard was lined with them. TheseI was told were the speculations of tradesmen, who let the sittingsaccording to the value of the situation, at prices varying fromhalf-a-sovereign up to a couple of guineas. For some very choice placeseven five guineas was asked.

  "Peter Parley could not help smiling at the fine names which had beengiven to some of these erections; such as the 'Royal Victoria Gallery,'the 'Royal Kent Gallery,' &c., &c.

  "By order of the Earl Marshal no visitors were permitted to enter theAbbey; but as good luck would have it, just as I happened to be passingthe western grand entrance I met a gentleman connected with the Boardof Works, whom I had seen at Major Meadows's the day before, and whomost obligingly offered to introduce me.

  "I gladly availed myself of his invitation, and was much struck withthe grandeur and extent of the preparations.

  "At the western entrance to the Abbey a suite of apartments forrobing-rooms for her Majesty and the members of the Royal Family hadbeen erected. So completely did this structure harmonize externallywith the rest of the antique building, that I should not have observedthat it was a temporary erection had it not been pointed out to me. Thechamber set apart for her Majesty was fitted up in the most gorgeousmanner--the walls beautifully ornamented, and the furniture, all ofthe richest and most magnificent description. Though less costly theapartments for the Royal Family were equally chaste.

  "The interior of the Abbey presented a scene at once animated andbeautiful. Workmen were busily engaged in various parts finishing thepreparations. I will have occasion to tell you about the interior ofthe Abbey by and by, so I may as well say nothing about it at present.

  "Peter Parley now proceeded to Hyde-Park to see the preparations forthe grand fair which was to be held in that noble pleasure-ground onthis joyous occasion.

  "Already many booths displayed themselves on the plain, and manymore were in the act of being erected. Richardson, who Peter Parleyunderstood is one of the most famous of the show-folks, had erecteda large and handsome theatre, which even thus early seemed to haveconsiderable attractions for the multitude who had gathered round it ingreat numbers.

  "Peter Parley having seen all that was worth seeing in the fair wasbeginning to feel tired, and was directing his steps homeward, whenall of a sudden his attention was attracted to a particular part ofthe Park to which people seemed to be hastening from all quarters.Peter Parley hurried to the spot and was most agreeably surprised tofind that it was Queen Victoria, accompanied by her suite, taking heraccustomed airing in her carriage."