Scots Greys, so as to make a convenient || of crimson and gold, with the Royal Arms passage for the carriage, and his Majesty did not set out until after an officer had arrived at the Palace gate to announce that all was ready. His Majesty was guarded through the night by the Lord Great Chamberlain and the Usher of the Black Rod. There were no preparations of importance. His Majesty's sofa bed was brought from Carlton House. On Thursday morning, at seven o'clock, the Lord Great Chamberlain carried to his Majesty his shirt and apparel, and with the Lord Chamberlain of the Household dressed his Majesty. His Majesty then breakfasted, and afterwards proceeded to his chamber, near the South entrance into Westminster Hall. We entered the Hall at twenty minutes past five o'clock, and a crowd of ladies, admitted by Peers' orders, and Peeresses, were then struggling for admittance. The first thing we observed on having entered the Hall, was the canopy which was to be borne over the King by the Barons of the Cinque Ports. The Canopy was yellow-of silk and gold embroidery, with short curtains of muslin spangled with gold. Eight bearers having fixed the poles by which the canopy was supported, which were of steel, with silver knobs, bore it up and down the Hall, to practise the mode of carrying it in procession. It was then deposited at the upper end of the side table of the Hall, to the left of the Throne. The canopy was very elegant in form, and was well calculated to add to the effect of the Procession. But even at this early hour, the appearance of the Hall, studded with groups of Gentlemen Pensioners, and various other attendants, in their fantastic and antique costumes, with the Officers of the Guards, and others, in military uniform, and above all, the elegantly dressed women who began to fill the galleries, was altogether superb. At this time there were several hundreds of spectators in the Hall. The sides of the upper end of the Hall, including the boxes for the Foreign Ministers and Royal Family, were hung with scarlet cloth, edged with gold. The Throne was splendid with gold and crimson; the canopy over the Throne was in embroidery. The large square table before the Throne, intended for the display of the Regalia, was of purple, having a rim of gold, and an interior square moulding of the same description, about two feet from the edge. The platform on which the Throne was placed, and the three steps immediately descending from it, were covered with brown carpeting; the two other descending flights of steps, and the double chairs placed by the side of the tables for the Peers, and the coverings of the railings in front of the seats, were of Morone cloth. From the bottom of the steps, descending from the Throne to the north gate, the middle of the floor of the Hall was covered with blue cloth, in the same manner as the platform without. The rest of the floor and the seats were matted. The side tables were covered with green cloth; and, as on each side the galleries reached nearly to the top of the windows in the wall, only the upper arches of those windows, and the noble roof of the old fabric appeared, except at each end,— the upper one especially, where the grave figures of the Saxon Kings made their appearance. The light, which was only admitted from the roof windows, and from those in each end, though sober, was, on the whole, fine. At the lower end, the attendants of the Earl Marshal attracted some notice by their dark dresses, with white sashes, stockings, shoes with large rosettes, and Queen Elizabeth ruffs, with gilt staves tipped with black. At a quarter after seven o'clock, an attendant, habited in the dress of Henri Quatre, laid on the table, near the canopy, eight maces, to be afterwards borne in the Procession. Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Gloucester was the first of the Royal Family who arrived in the Hall, taking her seat in the Royal box at a quarter before six. Her Royal Highness was splendidly attired in a rich dress of silver lama over French lilac; her head dress consisted of a white satin hat, with an elegant plume of white feathers, turned up with a button and loop in front, and appeared to be in excellent health and spirits. Soon afterwards the Duchess of Clarence entered the Hall, and took her seat next to Her Royal Highness of Gloucester. About half-past seven, their Royal Highnesses the Duchess of Kent, the Princess Sophia of Gloucester, and the Princess Feodore, took their seats in the Royal box. Their Royal Highnesses were attired in the most splendid dresses of white satin, richly embroidered in silver, with rich bandeau head-dresses, and large plumes of white feathers. About the same time, the Prince and Princess Esterhazy, and a number of foreigners of distinction, entered their box at the opposite side. The Foreign Ambassadors, and their respective suites, were chiefly habited in military costume of the most splendid appearance, and profusely decorated with orders of honour. The extreme richness and the great variety of the foreign uniforms, made the box allotted to the foreign embassies, by much the most brilliant in the Hall. At about a quarter before seven o'clock, the yeomen of the Guard entered in due form, and at that time the arrival of Peers and Peeresses at Palace-yard became so rapid, that the gates were constantly thrown open. led into the hall Miss Fellowes, who afterwards preceded the procession on the royal platform, as his Majesty's herb-woman; she was attended by Miss Bond, Miss G. Collier, Miss Caldwell, Miss Hill, Miss Daniel, and Miss Walker, in the character of assistant maids. Miss Fellowes was attired in a magnificent dress of white satin, with a mantle of the finest scarlet cloth trimmed with gold, and lined with white satin, and she bore a splendid gold badge and chain. The head dress was of gold wheat intermixed with grapes and laurel leaves. This was appropriate and elegant in the highest degree. The attendant maids wore white crape dresses over rich white satin, with an appropriate sash of flowers, suspended from the shoulder to the bottom of the skirt, and flowers tastefully arranged in the trimming, with Gabriel ruffs; the head dresses of these ladies consisted of chaplets of flowers to correspond with the general design of their dress. Miss Fellowes carried a most beautiful basket, filled with the choicest and most rare flowers, and the attendant young ladies bore, in pairs, three baskets of elegant construction, formed for two persons, and filled with a similar profusion of Flora's bounty. The flower baskets were brought into the Hall, and placed opposite to the ladies, who were accommodated with chairs at the extremity of the hall. At half past 7 o'clock a number of gentlemen, dressed in mulberry-brown frock coats with lace ruffs and white sashes, entered; they were the attendants upon the acting Earl Marshal, and bore gold wands with the emblazoned arms of the Duke of At a quarter past eight o'clock the doors Norfolk, the hereditary Earl Marshal. The of the hall were closed: many Peers had Gentlemen Pensioners entered at the same me been occasionally in the hall at an early time, and the Heralds laid their maces of hour in the morning, and before eight office, and the swords of state, at the upper o'clock they had all arrived at the buildings end of the Peers' dining table, on the west- near the House of Lords, and took their ern side of the Hall. The different at- coronets and robes. The Archbishops and tendants were then called to their respective Bishops assembled about the same time, places, military officers, heralds, and and vested themselves in their rochets, in other official persons who had through the the House of Lords, and chambers adjamorning moved backwards and forwards in cent. The Judges and others of the long detached bodies, began to separate and as-robe, together with the Gentlemen of the sume a more regular order: every move- Privy chamber, Esquires of the body, Chapment now denoted the near approach of lains having dignities, and six clerks in the solemn ceremonies of the day, and be- Chancery, cach in their respective habits, fore 8 o'clock, most of the persons appointed were assembled at the places of which noto walk in the procession were assembled tice had been given, where the officers of in their respective places. arms now arranged them according to their Soon after eight o'clock, Mr. Fellowes respective classes, four in each rank, placing No, 151, Vol. XXIV. E the youngest on the left, and conducted || and the Marquisses and some of the Earls them into the Hall. The King's Serjeants were habited in scarlet gowns. The Masters in Chancery were in the dress in which they attend the House of Lords. The Canopy was now removed from the side table where it had been placed, and was brought into the middle of the Hall. The Barons of the Cinque Ports were then marshalled two to each point of support, they now bore the Canopy down the IIall by way of practice. The dresses of the Barons were extremely splendid: large cloaks of garter blue satin, with slashed arms of scarlet, and stockings of dead red. The Barons now took another march in the hall. About this time also, the four swords were brought in, and deposited on the end of the left-hand table, with the spurs, and the cushion for the crown. The Knights of the Bath now began to assemble, and with the others who were to take part in the procession, ranged themselves at the end of the hall. The dresses of the Knights were of most beautiful appearance. The Knights wore close dresses of white satin, puckered in a great variety of ways. The Knights Grand Crosses wore flowing robes of red satin of a pinkish hue, lined with white; and the Knights Commanders close mantles. The Judges, and those Members of the Privy council who are not Peers, next entered, the latter in splendid dresses of blue velvet and gold. The Barons next entered, Lords Stowell and Maryborough being among the first. Next came the Bishops; then the Viscounts; next the Earls; the Marquisses and the Dukes; and lastly, the Great Officers of State, the Archbishops, and the members of the Royal Family entered. The Marquis of Londonderry soon after appeared, most splendidly and elegantly habited in the full robes of the Order of the Garter, as his Lordship is painted by Sir Thomas Lawrence. His Royal Highness the Prince Leopold was also in the same costume. The Princes of the blood-royal, and some of the Dukes, now placed themselves on the right of the platform about the throne, on the left side, formed a line with those who had descended to the floor of the hall. Under this arrangement, the throne and platform appeared emblazoned with a richness and variety of tints scarcely to be imagined; the exhibition of ermine, set off by the splendour of the velvet robes, was here of the most magnificent description. The hall was now crowded. A Herald and officers then passed through the line of Peers, marshalling each according to the order of their creation-the junior Peers first. They were now a second time called over, and ranged in a double file on each side of the middle space of the Hall, by Mr. Mash. The Rt. Hon. the Lord Mayor of London, with the members of the Corporations of the cities of London Oxford and Dublin, were now assigned their places. His Lordship was dressed in a superb court dress of purple and white satin, with a brilliantly embroidered robe of scarlet to correspond, and wore a velvet cap surmounted by a plume of black ostrich feathers, turned up with a loop of brilliants. His Lordship was attended by the Swordbearer with the city sword, the Sheriffs Waithman and Williams, with eighteen Aldermen, attired in full embroidered court dresses. The ceremonies occupied from nine o'clock until twenty minutes before ten; and while the Peers were arranging in the centre of the Hall, the Dean and Prebendaries of Westminster entered the great gate from Palace-yard, and formed, in a compact body, immediately within the Hall. The whole arrangements for the procession were then completed. The Lord Mayor, Sheriffs, and Corporation of London, with the civic regalia, and Corporation of Oxford, were assigned their respective places, and a pause of about twenty minutes then took place. The principal Officers of the Household had withdrawn to wait upon the King, and all eyes were now directed towards the Throne, which being immediately in front of the door through which his Majesty was to pass from the chamber where he breakfasted, must be necessarily occupied almost at the instant he made his appearance. Exactly at ten o'clock, the D. of Wellington entered the platform from behind the Throne, and announced the approach of his Majesty. Lord Gwydir entered immediately after, and the King then appeared; his train supported by eight Noblemen. The train was of enormous length and breadth. It was composed of crimson velvet, adorned with large golden stars, and a broad golden border. The whole company in the Hall rose as his Majesty stepped into the Throne, and the full band in the Gothic orchestra struck up God Save the King. His Majesty was habited in full robes of great size and richness, and wore a black hat or cap of Spanish shape, with a spreading plume of white ostrich feathers, which encircled the rim, and was surmounted by a fine heron's plume. The King wore his hair in thick falling curls over his forehead, and it fell behind the head in a similar form. He took his seat with an air of great majesty, and appeared for the moment oppressed by the imposing solemnity of the scene, which for the first time met his eye. His Majesty, with great affability and grace, then bowed to the Peers who stood on each side. The Deputy Lord Great Chamberlain, the Lord High Constable, and the Deputy Earl Marshal, now ascended the steps, and placed themselves at the outer side of the table. The Lord High Steward, the Great Officers, Deputy Garter, and Black Rod, arranged themselves near the chair of state; the Royal Train-bearers on each side of the Throne. The Lord Chamberlain, assisted by officers of the Jewel-office, then brought the Sword of State to the Lord High Constable, who delivered it to the Deputy Lord Great Chamberlain, by whom it was laid upon the table; then Curtana, or the Sword of Mercy, with the two Swords of Justice, having been in like manner presented, were drawn from their scabbards by the Deputy Lord Great Chamberlain, and laid on the table before his Majesty; after which the Gold Spurs were delivered, and also placed on the table. Immediately after, a procession, consisting of the Dean and Prebendaries of Westminster, in their surplices and rich copes, proceeded up the Hall, from the lower end thereof, in the following order :— PROCESSION With, and deLIVERY OF THE REGALIA. Children of the King's Chapel, in scarlet mantles, four abreast. Two Pursuivants at Arms. The two Provincial Kings of Arms. The Dean of Westminster, carrying St. Edward's Crown on a cushion of cloth of gold. In the course of the procession they front of the steps, made their third reverence. made their reverences, first at the lower end-This being done, the Dean and Prebenof the Hall, secondly about the middle, daries being arrived at the foot of the steps, where both the Choirs opening to the right Deputy Garter preceded them (having waitand left, formed a passage, through which ed their approach,) ascended the steps, and the Officers of Arms passing, opened like- when near the table before the King, made wise on each side, the Seniors placing them- their last reverence. The Dean then preselves nearest towards the steps: then the sented the Crown to the Lord High ConstaDean and Prebendaries having come to the ble, who delivered it to the Deputy Lord Great Chamberlain, and by him it was placed || Ruthyn; 3. the Sceptre with the Cross, by the Marquis Wellesley; 4. the Pointed Sword of Temporal Justice, by the Earl of Galloway; 5. the Pointed Sword of Spiritual Justice, by the Duke of Northumberland; 6. Curtana, or Sword of Mercy, by the Duke of Newcastle; 7. the Sword of State, by the Duke of Dorset; 8. the Sceptre with the Dove, by the Duke of Rutland; 9. the Orb, by the Duke of Devonshire; 10. St. Edward's Crown, by the Marquis of Anglesea, as Lord High Steward; 11. the Patina, by the Bishop of Gloucester; 12. the on the table before the King. The rest of the regalia was severally delivered by each || Prebendary, on his knee, to the Dean; by him to the Lord High Constable, by him to the Deputy Lord Great Chamberlain, and by him laid on the table. The regalia being thus delivered, the Prebendaries and Dean returned to the middle of the Hall. His Majesty having commanded Deputy Garter to summon the Noblemen and Bishops who bore the regalia, the Deputy Lord Great Chamberlain, then taking up the several || Swords, Sceptres, the Orb, and Crown, || Chalice, by the Bishop of Chester; 13. the placed them in the hands of those by whom | Bible, by the Bishop of Ely. The two Bithey were to be carried. 1. St. Edward's Staff, by the Marquis of Salisbury; 2. the Spurs, by the Lord Calthorpe, as Deputy to the Baroness Grey de | THE PROCESSION When these ceremonies (which lasted about three quarters of an hour) were performed, the Procession set out at eleven o'clock from Westminster Hall to the Abbey in the following order the Anthem, shops who supported his Majesty were then summoned by the Deputy Garter, and, ascending the steps, placed themselves on each side of the King. TO THE ABBEY. “O Lord, grant the King a Long life," being sung in parts, in succession with his Majesty's band playing, the sounding of trumpets, and the beating of drums, until the arrival in the Abbey. THE ORDER OF THE PROCESSION. The King's Herb-woman, with her Six Maids, strewing the way with choice flowers. Messenger of the College of Arms, in a Scarlet Cloak, with the Arms of the College embroidered on the left shoulder. The Dean's Beadle of Westminster, with his Staff, in a Scarlet Cloak. Two Household Fifes with the Banners of Velvet fringed with Gold, and Five Household Drummers in Royal Livery, with Drum-covers of Crimson Velvet, laced and fringed with Gold. The Drum-Major, in a rich Livery, and a Crimson Scarf fringed with Gold. Eight Trumpeters in rich Liveries: with Banners of Crimson Damask, embroidered and fringed with Gold, to the Silver Trumpets. Kettle-Drums, with Drum-covers of Crimson Damask, embroidered and fringed with Gold. Eight Trumpeters in Liveries, as before. The Knight Marshal, attended by his Officers. The King's Chaplains having Dignities. The Aldermen and Recorder of London. The King's Sergeants at Law. The King's Solicitor-General." The King's Attorney-General. Serjeant-Porter. Gentlemen of the Privy Chamber. Serjeant of the Vestry of the Chapel Royal. Children of the Choir of Westminster, in surplices. Children of the Chapel Royal, in surplices, with scarlet mantles over them. Choir of Westminster, in surplices. Gentlemen of the Chapel Royal, in scarlet mantles. Prebendaries of Westminster, in surplices and with copes. |