A LONDON CROWD.

Clutha Leader, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 12, 15 August 1911, Page 5

A LONDON CROWD.

THE CORONATION I'ROCF.SSION". | (By Arthur 11. Reid). ; The coronation of King (ieorge V and I his Queen is now over and ihe British j Empire has once more a crowned kinir. ' I don't feel capable of givingj'n (lesrrip- j lion of the procession so wiil just give | an account of mv experience and what ' I saw. ' ' I After an early breakfast I started oil' about (i o'clock on the morning of the ' Coronation for a position on the line j of the procession. Arriving at Trafalgar Square I met a \.Z. chap who came, over.' to Kngland' in the same boat with me, so the two of us decided* to try our luck. We moved about a little and at lasl decided to stand in front of Nelson's Monument in the Square. The people were already lined up about four deep, some had been there all night, others had come without breakfast. . People were now gathering and soon there were as many behind as in front of us and you hud to keep close up to the front person or else somebody else would very kindly take your place without asking leave. In the front of the crowd, of course, were a line of police, and shortly after 7 o'clock the troops arrived. At lirst u double row of mounted men were placed in front and it looked "very healthy" to try and see the procession through them as they were not transparent. Shortly after they were ordered to rake up a position in the rear and a double row of infantry took up their vacated position, so our outlook improved. The crowd now began to have motion, for as the people arrived they began to push into the rear until everybody i was pushing the person in front and [ trying to push back at the same time, I and every now and again the crowd ! »ot on a" bit of a screw motion, when it. was every man for himself. My mate and I were gradually separated and after about an hour 1 lost sight •of him completely. It was simply impossible to keep together. We were jammed together like sardines in a tin and sometimes could not get our arms up. Half the time you stood on somebody else's toes,''again you are' off your feet altogether, and if you are a small .person it's a matter of existing—not living. Women lose their hnts and their hair requires retouching. Some are howling about "pet corns" and "get off my feet" and vou just begin to think that life is worth living. 1 think it's the nearest approach to tight lacing I have experienced ; the people in the, rear are pushing forward and the police in front are pushbur back and you are in between. Talk about vapour baths ! Some looked as though a bucket of water had been thrown Over them. Any perl son wishing to reduce corpulency should undergo a course of crowd squeezing. Good training for going i through gas pipes. i The London crowd is very good na- | tured, some growl a little, but the most take things as a matter of course, and taken ;-all through 1 rather enioyed the fun. The procession <lid not pass by until 10.30, so we were bottled up there for about four hours. I On the way to Westminister Abbey the procession passed along the bottom of the Square, over 100 yards from our position, so I just managed ! to see the King's Si ate coach. After the procession passed the troops advanced forward a little awl gave (he ! crowd a little more space. My word it was a relief being able to breathifreely once more. The weather fortunately was not too warm ov elsii

a greater number would have fainted than did. The St. .John's Ambulance Brigade were stationed along the route and no tile feebl; were looked utter. The procession \u>.> not titn.-ii to return for about 'M, hours. P.ripgttiu interval the ditl'erent. i nnis statiut.e.l in the Square enlivened the proceedings, One of the bunds was u mounted one and it was u sight jt.self to see a mounted band on the march. The drummer is in front and the horses march along so steadily und stately, showing wonderful training. .Vs ihe time drew near tor the letting of the procession the crowd was moved back again and "Tommy Atkins" began to tidy up. Clothes brushes were produced and all traces of dust removed. By (he time the head ,ot* the procession passed, I found myself practically in the front of the crowd, so .1 kept my nose forward and held my ground for all I was worth. This lime the procession came our way and 1 had a splendid view of it till." The Kinu: and Queen looked very line in their robes and the diamonds were sparkling in the Crowns. Of course all were cheering, and when you hear thousands all cheering you begin to think there is a hit of' a noise. The royal children came alter iheir ro\ al parents and (hey appeared l,> be enjoying (he fun immensely. The Prince of Wales and I'rinccss Mury also won: coronets. They we; e also wildly j'heered. Then 'followed the nobility I in their robes and jewels The Indian princes w,.re most j>orgcously dressed in beautifully coloured -ilks and jewels without number. It nils a really beautiful spectacle and re.iuinv a much abler pen than mine lo give anything like a description. My about .'{ o'clock the end of the procession had passed and it was with' many sighs ~f ivlief (|,. lt people were allowed To expand to normal and seek less crowded areas. Stundine- for ninu hours at a stretch is n bit lough, still when you have seen what you wanted, it's all light, not like some-there all night and then not to see anything. It is m\ lirst experience of a crowd, and I won't forget it in a hairy. I enjoyed the fun tlml is to be got out of a crowd, and will be ready for the next when thc.ro is something worth seeing.