Broadside entitled 'Grand Preparations for the Queen's Coronation'

Commentary

This report begins: 'An Account of some of the Festivities which will take place in Edinburgh and Vicinity, on Thursday the 28th June, 1838, being the day appointed for the Coronation of Our Most Gracious Sovereign, QUEEN VICTORIA FIRST.' The sheet was published by Menzies, who is known to have had offices in Edinburgh.

The sheet begins by reporting that there are to be fireworks let off from Edinburgh Castle, with a bonfire being lit simultaneously at the top of Arthur's Seat - a large volcanic mound just west of the centre of Edinburgh. All shops and businesses were to be closed for the day, and the College Museum, 'and various other Public Institutions' were to be opened to allow the public a rare glimpse of their collections. Various banquets and celebrations are also mentioned. In another celebratory gesture, the newly-completed pier at Granton, dedicated to His Grace the Duke of Buccleuch, was to be opened.

Finally, there will be prayers 'for a long and prosperous reign of her Majesty', at South Leith Church, followed by children's choir singing. At the bottom of the sheet a 'Grand Cricket Match' to be held on Coronation Day is advertised.

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