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37
"To Their Most Excellent Majesties King Edward and
"Queen Alexandra.
"The loyal and dutiful Address of the Mayors, Aldermen, and
"Councillors of the Metropolitan Boroughs of Bermondsey,
"Camberwell, Deptford, Greenwich, Lambeth, Lewisham,
"Southwark, Wandsworth, and Woolwich.
"May it Please Your Majesties,
"We, Your Majesties' most loyal and dutiful subjects, humbly
"approach Your Majesties with the expression of our heartfelt
"congratulations upon the occasion of the Coronation of Your
"Majesties.
"The Empire over which Your Majesties' reign is unique alike
"in its vast extent and in the preponderating influence it exercises
"over the nations and peoples of the world, but the burden of
"responsibility which Your Majesties have been called upon to
"bear will to some extent be lightened by the continued support
"and devoted attachment of the free and loyal people of Your
"Majesties' dominions.
"We recall with pleasure the arrival of Your Majesty the Queen
"in England, on the 7th March, 1863, and the cordial enthusiasm
"with which Your Majesty was received in passing through South
"London, and we also remember the many occasions on which
"Your Majesties have graciously manifested an interest in the
"Municipal and other Institutions associated with this part of the
"Metropolis. When Her late lamented Majesty ascended the
"Throne in 1837, the provincial Municipalities, which under her
"beneficient rule so powerfully influenced the progress and develop"ment
of the arts and manufactures of the country and the well"being
of the people, had recently been established, and we venture
"to hope that the constitution of the Metropolitan Boroughs may
"bring about equally beneficial results to the vast populations
"committed to their care. In particular we humbly trust that,
"encouraged by the deep personal interest which Your Majesties
"have always shown in the provision of better housing and healthier
"surroundings of Your Majesties' subjects, these Councils may
"during Your Majesties' reign, be instrumental in ameliorating the
"conditions under which large numbers of those subjects are com"pelled
to live, and in developing, improving, and beautifying the
"Metropolis of Your Empire.
"We would especially desire to tender to Your Majesties the
"assurance of the gratification which the recognition of the
"Metropolitan Municipalities on recent State occasions has caused
"to the inhabitants of the Boroughs we represent, and such recog-