PARLEY VISITS WESTMINSTER ABBEY AND HYDE-PARK. PREPARATIONS FOR THE
FAIR.
"AS I approached the venerable pile I found all in bustle and
confusion. Every where carpenters were busily engaged fitting up
galleries for the accommodation of spectators of the procession on the
day of the coronation. Ranges of such erections lined the whole course
of the street through which the procession was to pass, up to the very
door of the Abbey; even the church-yard was lined with them. These
I was told were the speculations of tradesmen, who let the sittings
according to the value of the situation, at prices varying from
half-a-sovereign up to a couple of guineas. For some very choice places
even five guineas was asked.
"Peter Parley could not help smiling at the fine names which had been
given 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 the
Abbey; but as good luck would have it, just as I happened to be passing
the western grand entrance I met a gentleman connected with the Board
of Works, whom I had seen at Major Meadows's the day before, and who
most obligingly offered to introduce me.
"I gladly availed myself of his invitation, and was much struck with
the grandeur and extent of the preparations.
"At the western entrance to the Abbey a suite of apartments for
robing-rooms for her Majesty and the members of the Royal Family had
been erected. So completely did this structure harmonize externally
with the rest of the antique building, that I should not have observed
that it was a temporary erection had it not been pointed out to me. The
chamber set apart for her Majesty was fitted up in the most gorgeous
manner--the walls beautifully ornamented, and the furniture, all of
the richest and most magnificent description. Though less costly the
apartments for the Royal Family were equally chaste.
"The interior of the Abbey presented a scene at once animated and
beautiful. Workmen were busily engaged in various parts finishing the
preparations. I will have occasion to tell you about the interior of
the 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 for
the grand fair which was to be held in that noble pleasure-ground on
this joyous occasion.
"Already many booths displayed themselves on the plain, and many
more were in the act of being erected. Richardson, who Peter Parley
understood is one of the most famous of the show-folks, had erected
a large and handsome theatre, which even thus early seemed to have
considerable attractions for the multitude who had gathered round it in
great numbers.
"Peter Parley having seen all that was worth seeing in the fair was
beginning to feel tired, and was directing his steps homeward, when
all of a sudden his attention was attracted to a particular part of
the Park to which people seemed to be hastening from all quarters.
Peter Parley hurried to the spot and was most agreeably surprised to
find that it was Queen Victoria, accompanied by her suite, taking her
accustomed airing in her carriage."