THE CORONATION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 265, 18 March 1911, Page 10

THE CORONATION.

PRICES AT FORMER CORONATIONS. Some interesting sidelights on the London of a bygone age ate provided in a quaint little book edited by Richard Thomson, in the early days of last century, giving a "faithful account" of the processions and ceremonies which took place at the Coronation of King George 111. and Queen Charlotte. Some characteristic advertisements are culled from tho "Public Adviser" at the time of (ieorge Ill.'s Coronation, one of which runs:—"To be let, for the Coronation, a whole house in New Palace Yard, which has a full view of the Champion and the Procession, with beds in it, and all other conveniences to bring; their own servants for their attendance; or it may be divided for separate companies, not less than two in each, all to be within doors. Enquire at the Sadler's, the corner of Parliament street."

As the great day drew nearer advertisements of this nature rapidly increased, together with others relating to the subject, such as the following:—"An Earl and Countess' Coronet to be sold." "Ermine skins at reduced prices"; notices to summon spectators to their seats on the night preceding the ceremony; and an announcement that "the Westminster Assembly would take place on the evening of the Coronation Day, for the entertainment of those who might to venture home." From the orders and instructions we also learn that "a passage will be open for chairs to pass the North Door of the Abbey," through certain streets named; that Westminster Hall doors would be opened on Coronation Bay as soon as it was daylight; and, "for the greater convenience of having a proper access to the scaffold in the Hall, it is requested that the ladies will not appear in hoops." The prices paid for seats on this and at former Coronations may have some interest in view of the enormous sums which are certain to be asked at the forthcoming great function. One smiles at what were considered "exorbitant' prices" in those days; When George HI. was crowned the front seats in the gallery of the Abbey were let at ten guineas each, and those in "commodious houses" along the route of procession at the same figure. In ordinary houses the prices were from one to five guineas. A small house in Coronation Row cleared £7OO, and some larger houses £IOOO. In the Coronation Theatres, as they were called, which were large temporary erections, capable of containing from 1200 to 1500 seats, the prices were "beyond all precedent," though some who fitted up houses and scaffolds on this occasion lost considerably through the greatness of their demands.

It goes without saying that these "exorbitant prices," as they are termed, were largely exceeded at the imposing pageant which attended the Coronation of George IV.; but going backwards in Tim's Chronicle, one is amused at the ridiculously small sums paid—as the amounts sound to modern ears —for the privilege of seeing the King's Coronation pageant. The first of tke Georges, for instance, was seen for a crown, the same price being charged at the Coronations of King William and Queen Anne. Haif-a-crown procured a seat when Charles lIT. and James 11. were enthroned, and only one shilling was charged at the ceremonies of Charles I. and James I. The picturesque pageant of Good Queen Bess was cheaply viewed at a "tester," and a groat (fourpence) served for a comfortable sight of Queen Mary, Edward VI., and Henry VIII. Haif this humble coin was charged at the Coronations of Henry VII., Richard 111.. Edward IV., Henry VI., and Henry V., though during the time of Henry VI. Coronations were so frequent that the price dropped as low as a penny and evei a halfpenny, and sometimes fßey were seen for nothing. A penny was also the price at the time of Henry IV. and Richard If. A halfpenny, we read, "was very well given" to see the Coronation of Edward III.; that of his predecessor, Edward If., being seen for a humble farthing. At the time of Edward f. we get down to "half a fcrling," or farthing," but beyond that period the names of the coins are quite unintelligible in the present day, for we imagine that no one at this stretch of time can work out the relative values of a "dodkin," a "suskin," a "pollard," a "crocard," and a "blank," which figure in the expenses at the Coronation of the Conqueror and his kingly successors up to Edward.