One of the largest stands was in Whitehall opposite the Horse Guards.[I] A large number of carpenters were employed for more than six weeks in its erection; £7,000 was paid to the Woods and Forests Department for the rent of the site, and its construction cost another £6,000. It contained some 4,000 seats, which were advertised at from four to twenty guineas. It was built into foundations of solid concrete from three feet to six feet thick, and contained 150 tons of timber and fifteen tons of forty-five feet steel girders; 5,000 chairs were specially purchased for its equipment and, besides the seats, it contained promenades, reception rooms, a luncheon room for the accommodation of 400 people, ladies' rooms, telephones, and a smoking gallery. Another huge stand was that erected in the churchyard of St. Martin's Church, Charing Cross. This also contained 4,000 seats, ranging in price from one to fifteen guineas. Its erection engaged the labour of 120 men for some five weeks. It contained 175,000 cubic feet of timber and twenty tons of ironwork. The rent of the site was £4,000. [Illustration: _From a Photograph_} {_by J. de Souza._ THE PROCESSION OF IMPERIAL AND COLONIAL TROOPS, June 19. What was in effect a dress rehearsal of the Jubilee procession took place on the Saturday preceding that event, when the Life Guards, the Dragoon Guards, Horse and Field Artillery, and Colonial Mounted Troops assembled at Victoria Park, and marched by Grove Road, Mile End Road, and Whitechapel, to the Mansion House. The picture represents the South Australian Lancers leaving the Park. The troops, and particularly the Colonials, were received with the greatest enthusiasm by the immense crowds which lined the route. It was a happy idea to give the East End this opportunity of welcoming the Colonists.] There were many other stands of colossal size, but that which represented the most enterprising speculation of the celebration was undoubtedly the colossal stand on the north side of St. Paul's Churchyard.[J] For the purpose of its erection one of the most valuable city properties was purchased and pulled down. The seats in these various stands were offered at fabulous prices, but the public refused to purchase, and the venture resulted in a heavy loss to its promoters, as indeed did most of the speculations in seats. However, very large sums indeed were paid to witness the procession, £2,000 being offered and accepted for the use of a building in St. Paul's Churchyard for the day. In some cases the vendors offered prizes ranging from £50 downwards to purchasers of their seats. On June 11 the official programme was published, and henceforth the sole topic in men's minds was Jubilee Day and its doings. Previous to this, however, the most elaborate precautions had been taken to ensure the safety of the multitude of sightseers, and to guard against any hitch occurring in the actual procession.