Here Dickens uses the word "progress" commendably. In medieval England, the kings and their large retinues used to descend like a plague of locusts each wealthy noble in turn. This was called a royal progress.

"The meal finished, Nell assisted to wash the cups and saucers, and put them in their proper places, and these household duties performed, Mrs Jarley arrayed herself in an exceedingly bright shawl for the purpose of making a progress through the streets of the town. "