1936 On the Continent

the dignified reserve of English business life in general.
Billingsgate, Smithfield
    London has no central market hall, like, for instance, Paris, but each of the specialised wholesale markets is impressive in its own way. There is, for instance, Billingsgate, London’s chief fish market, and Smithfield, London’s meat market. Both are strikingly interesting, though not on account of any peculiarity of costume or romantic location, but solely on account of the colossal mass of the goods they handle as the larders of the biggest city in the world.
London University
    We have endeavoured to guide the reader to some points of the labyrinth of London, but we are naturally unable to guide him everywhere, and there are many more interesting aspects of London that the visitor must discover for himself. For instance, London also has a University City which, though not so compact as the University districts of many other seats of learning, nevertheless occupies, by reason of the number and excellence of its Colleges, a leading place in the academic field even in the international sense. Then there are nooks and corners in London, sometimes close to the most modern thoroughfares, which have retained their rural character. Near Brompton Road and Campden Hill, as well as in Hammersmith and Hampstead, there are fascinating little cottages containing only two or three rooms, standing proudly in the very shadow of vast modern palaces. On the other hand there are also large country houses with park-like gardens in the middle of the city, and there are also slums reflecting the most revolting degree of destitution. And all this may be found side by side.
THE CORONATION
    1937 is Coronation Year. This applies not only to London, or the British Empire, for the whole world will participate in this great event. As is known, the 12th of May was fixed as the date of his Coronation by the wish of Edward VIII. The calm and sensible solution of the constitutional crisis which led to the abdication of the former king, has made it possible to carry out the original Coronation programme with but few alterations, and even the date has not been changed. And during the anxious days of waiting for Edward VIII’s decision preparations for the great event were continued on the same scale as before, as though nothing had happened.
Significance of Coronation
    This fact shows, on the one hand, the wonderful self-discipline of the British people, and, on the other hand, the firm hold which the institution of monarchy has on this country. The Coronation itself does not possess the same constitutional significance as in some other countries. The King of England is the rightful ruler of the Empire from the moment of his accession, when this is proclaimed amid traditional formalities, and the King takes the oath. Thus to-day the Coronation, apart from its religious significance, is mainly a symbolic and ceremonial act.
    It will be gathered from this that the real meaning of the Coronation centres not so much in the person of the King as in the ideal of monarchy. That is why it has been possible, without any particular complications, to transfer to King George VI. in the Coronation the role originally destined for his brother.
World Interest
    Although the character of the world interest in the Coronation has changed; since the former king was far better known internationally than King George VI, it has lost nothing in intensity. On the contrary, the fact that the ceremony is now to include the crowning of a Queen, adds both attractiveness and splendour to the Coronation. The Peeresses, the wives of the Dukes, Earls, Viscounts and Barons will now have to wear, inaddition to their ceremonial robes, the coronets corresponding to their respective ranks.
    In addition, the accession of George VI meant a return to tradition, so that the historical pomp of the Coronation will be fully maintained. Another circumstance which will add to the interest of the Coronation—and to the pleasure of the fortunate millions who will be in London at that date—concerns the past which the two young princesses, Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret Rose will play in the Coronation. Their participation in the historic pageantry will introduce a homely note into the proceedings. Further, it has been decided that, contrary to tradition, the Queen Mother, widow of the late King George V, shall be present at the Coronation of her son.
    In addition to the two English Queens, there