It was hoped by many that advantage would have been taken of this unique occasion to extend the sovereign dignity of the Queen, so that it might include not only the United Kingdom and India but also the English-speaking Colonies. The addition of the names of the Colonies to the legend on the coinage would have followed this step as a natural corollary, and there can be no doubt it would have found favour with the great majority of the Queen's subjects at home and abroad. Reasons of State may have interfered, but they cannot be insuperable, and we may look forward with confidence to the time when Parliament will decorate the Queen with this splendid honour. [Illustration: _From a Photograph_} {_by Elliott & Fry._ THE RIGHT HON. SIR J. GORDON SPRIGG, PREMIER OF CAPE COLONY. Son of the late Rev. J. Sprigg, of Ipswich; born in 1830. He worked on the Hansard staff of the House of Commons; went to Africa for his health in 1858 and settled there. Entered the Cape Parliament in 1869. He has been thrice Prime Minister; also Finance Minister under Mr. Rhodes, 1893-96.] [Illustration: _From a Photograph_} {_by Symonds & Co., Portsmouth._ THE NAVAL REVIEW, June 26, 1897: THE FLEET SALUTING.] CHAPTER III. Illuminations in London--Festivities in the Provinces and the Colonies---Addresses of Congratulation from the Lords and Commons--Gathering of School Children on Constitution Hill--State Performance at the Opera--The Princess of Wales's Dinners to the Poor--State Reception--Special Performance at the Lyceum--Torchlight Evolutions by Etonians at Windsor--Naval Review at Spithead--The Fleet Illuminated--The Colonial Troops at the Naval Review. [Sidenote: Illuminations in London.] On the evening of June 22, and for two or three days following, London was ablaze with illuminations. In the city especially these were on a scale of unparalleled magnificence. The Bank of England was fringed and festooned with myriads of many-coloured lamps, while from the parapet of the corner which looks towards Cheapside there glowed and scintillated a dazzling fan-shaped device of huge size. Over the chief entrance appeared the following inscription in letters of living fire: "She Wrought Her People Lasting Good." The pillars of the Mansion House and the Royal Exchange were entwined with bands of light, and every detail of their architecture was accentuated by rows of tiny lamps. In this, the very heart of London, it was as light as day. It may be mentioned that 35,000 gas jets were used in decorating the Mansion House alone. [Illustration: ST. PAUL'S ILLUMINATED.] [Illustration: _E. H. Fitchew._} THE MONUMENT ILLUMINATED.]