74 The Queen's visit to Westminster-Abbey. On her Majesty's approach towards the Hall, the rush of strangers on the platform was almost overwhelming, and the soldiers were ordered to stand to their arms and clear the stage. While this was partially effecting, her Majesty's carriage drew up nearly in front of the King's Arms Tavern, close to the platform. She was immediately surrounded by a portion of the crowd which had broken in, with cries of "the Queen; the Queen!" She bowed and smiled, but was evidently labouring under very agitated feelings. Lord Hood now descended from the carriage, and went in search of a way of ingress. He proceeded behind the Champion's stable, where there was a gate leading towards the Speaker's house. He then returned to her Majesty, and communicated to her the discovery he had made. Her Majesty signified her intention to alight, and the carriage door was immediately opened. Her Majesty was handed from her carriage by Lord Hood, and Lady Hood alighted after her. The air now resounded with cries of "shame, shame," at her conduct. The crowd followed her Majesty, and several of them cheered her. The expressions from the galleries, however, were of an opposite character. Her Majesty, leaning on the arm of Lord Hood, went to the gate to which we have alluded, but found that it was not intended as a thoroughfare, and she therefore returned, with her Ladies of Honour in her train. She was considerably incommoded by the dust and the pressure of the mob, the obtrusion of which the constables could with difficulty repress. Lord Hood theu led her Majesty to the opening in the platform for Peers' Tickets, opposite Parliament-street. Her Majesty ascended the steps, and was there asked for her authority. Lord Hood put his hand into his pocket and said he had an authority, pulling out of his pocket at the same time a paper. Her Majesty was then suffered to pass, and descending the steps on the other side, she walked on towards the House of Lords, still followed by contending cries of "Shame," and occasional cries of the Queen, the Queen." Following the crowd, she, by accident, turned down towards the iron gate leading to the kitchens, and here a notice presented itself to her view, stating that no person was admitted without an order. Lord Hood now said, her Majesty wished to go to the Abbey; upon which a constable, preceding her Majesty, shewed her the way towards an opening in the covered passage leading to Poets' Corner. The guard was at first drawn up to oppose her entrance, but, by the command of their officer, they withdrew respectfully, and let her Majesty pass. One of the attendants of the Abbey now came forward, and conducted her Majesty to the Abbey door. [July, Here Lord Hood desired admission for her Majesty. The door-keepers drew across the entrance, and requested to see the tickets. Lord Hood. I present you your Queen, -surely it is not necessary for her to have a ticket. Door-keeper.-Our orders are to admit no person without a Peer's ticket. Lord Hood.-This is your Queen: she is entitled to admission without such a form. The Queen smiling, but still in some agitation-" Yes, I am your Queen, will you admit me ?" Door-keeper.-My orders are specific, and I feel myself bound to obey them. The Queen laughed. Lord Hood.-I have a ticket. Door-keeper.-Then, my Lord, we will let you pass upon producing it. Lord Hood now drew from his pocket a Peer's ticket for one person. Door-keeper. This will let one person pass, but no more. Lord Hood. Will your Majesty go in alone? Her Majesty at first assented, but did not persevere. Lord Hood.-Am 1 to understand that you refuse her Majesty admission? Door-keeper. We only act in conformity with our orders. Her Majesty again laughed. Lord Hood. Then you refuse the Queen admission? A door-keeper of a superior order then came forward, and was asked by Lord Hood whether any preparations had been made for her Majesty? He answered respectfully in the negative. Lord Hood.-Will your Majesty enter the Abbey without your Ladies? Her Majesty declined. Lord Hood then said, that her Majesty had better retire to her carriage. It was clear that no provision had been made for her accommodation. Her Majesty assented. Some persons within the porch of the Abbey laughed, and uttered some expressions of disrespect. Lord Hood. We expected to have met at least with the conduct of gentlemen; such conduct is neither manly nor mannerly. Her Majesty then retired, leaning on Lord Hood's arm, and followed by Lady Hood and Lady Anne Hamilton. She was preceded by constables back to the platform, over which she returned, entered her carriage, and was driven off, amidst shouts of applause and disapprobation. We are sorry we have to add, that some mischief was done by the mob which followed the Queen. After her Majesty had arrived 1821.] Particulars relative to the Coronation. arrived at South Audley-street, the mob separated in two bodies, the one proceeding up to Grosvenor-square, and the other down Hill-street, where they broke the windows of Lord de Grouchy and of Mr. Williamson, at whose house preparations were making for the illumination. They then proceeded to the house of earl Powis, in Berkeley-square, and demolished many of the windows at the houses of Noblemen and Gentlemen in Dover and Albemarlestreets, where preparations had been made on a scale of splendour adequate to the occasion. They also attacked Grillon's Hotel, from whence they proceeded down Piccadilly, and broke the windows at almost every house where preparations were made, and in some instances they did not leave until they had demolished the devices entirely. They took a circuit from Piccadilly down Jermyn-street, where many windows were broken, to St. James'ssquare, and set themselves down before the house of the Marquis of Londonderry, whose windows they proceeded to demolish with the utmost fury. They were somewhat disturbed by one of the HorseGuards, whom, however, they assailed with missiles, and he was obliged to retreat. He galloped to the head-quarters and returned with a reinforcement, at the appearance of which this detachment of the first mob dispersed. They had, however, made the best of their time, and had done most serious injury to the premises of the noble Marquis. The majority of the other detachment of the mob, which had proceeded to Grosvenor-square, set to work in the same manner upon the house of the Duke 75 of Montrose, and after having demolished a number of the windows, and done other injury, they set themselves before the hous of Lord Whitworth, where they made simi lar havoc, not only with the glass, but the frame of the windows. Whilst they were proceeding in this manner, a serjeant's guard of foot-soldiers took a circuit round the square. At the appearance of the soldiers the rioters desisted for a few moments, but recommenced as soon as they had passed. The mob was chiefly composed of boys and vagabonds of the vilest sort. Nothing could exceed the deliberation with which they proceeded about their work, whilst groups of persons stood aloof to watch them. There was a great scarcity of stones, or the mischief that would have been done, with the opportunity the rioters had, in the absence of the civil force, would have been incalculable. When they could not find stones, they amused themselves by pelting the servants and carriages who were conspicuous for splendid liveries with mud, when their order to pull off hats for the Queen was not instantly obeyed. A report having been spread that a body of military were coming, the mob dispersed. On the 20th her Majesty wrote a letter to the Archbishop of Canterbury, in which she informed him of her desire to be crowned some days after the King, and before the arrangements were done away with, so that there might be no additional expence. The Archbishop, in his answer, represented that he could take no part in the ceremony, except in consequence of orders from the Sovereign. THE CORONATION. In order to preserve as much as possible a system of regularity, it became necessary to erect Barriers in the different avenues leading towards the Hall and Westminister Abbey, and to issue clear and positive orders as to the course which each class of visitors was to pursue. This task, which came under the direction of the Police Department, was superintended by Lord Sidmouth, Sir Robert Baker, and other Magistrates, and was admirably arranged. A Lithographic Map of the whole City of Westminster was prepared, and upon this the routes which the carriages took coming from different parts of the town, were distinctly defined by coloured lines, and the places to which the tickets were to be admitted intelligibly pointed out. Thus the Foreign Ministers, all those who were to form part of the Procession, and those who had tickets from Peers, Judges, Privy Counsellors, and Knights of the Bath, were directed to pass down Grosvenor-place, and, by a route clearly specified, along Milbank, through Abingdon-street, to the House of Lords. A further route was appointed for the empty carriages to take, and a place fixed at which they were again to assemble previous to taking up-namely, in Vincent-square. To facilitate the approach of these persons, strong barriers were erected through the centre, and across the ends of Abingdon-street, and gates were left, through which one carriage alone could pass at a time. Persons coming by this way, were informed that they would be excluded unless they arrived by eight in the morning. The route for persons having tickets for the South side of the aile of Westminster Abbey, was to enter St. James's Park 76 Particulars relative to the Coronation. Park at the Stable-yard, pass along the Mall, cross the Parade, and to leave the Park by Storey's Gate; then going down Dean-street, to set down in Dean's-yard, to go home through Bowling-street, and by a circuitous route, back into the Park at Buckingham Gate, up Constitution Hill, and out of Hyde Park Corner. This route was to be used also by those who had seats in the booths which opened into Princes-street. All persons who did not take their seats by seven o'clock in the morning were to be excluded. The routes for persons who had tickets for the North side of the aile of Westminster Abbey, for Westminster Hall, and the Exchequer and Duchy of Lancaster Offices; also for those who bad seats in the Guildhall and in the booths, in the Abbey Church-yard, St. Margaret's Church-yard, and in the Gardens of Parliament-square, were also specified at length. THE EXTERIOR GALLERIES AND We will not attempt to give a minute account of all the galleries, platforms, pavilions, and amphitheatres, which were erected along the line of the platform, for the convenience of spectators to view the Procession. A reference to the Lithographic Plan, in page 3, will explain the situation of most of them. The whole of the fronts of the houses on the terrace opposite Westminster Hall, and round to the corner of Great Bridgestreet, in Parliament-street, were covered with Galleries extending from the roof to the pavement, and projecting about six feet from the wall. These were composed of a strong frame-work of timber, bound together with clamps of iron, and containing three and four separate stories of Galleries, most of them having two or three rows of seats. The tops were surmounted with roofs of boards. All the fronts of the boxes were ornanamented with stuff or cloth hangings, and paper of various devices and colours; some red, some blue, some crimson, some diversified with different shades, but all gay, and lively in appearance. Some exhibited flags bearing the Royal Arms, and other banners with appropriate mottos. The prices demanded for these seats were very unequal,-some were as high as twenty guineas; the more general price was three guineas, and others as low as one guinea; the value, of course, being enhanced in proportion to the goodness of the situation and the accommodation received; for in many of the houses persons were provided with beds, and every other requisite. This was the case especially in [July, the King's Arms Tavern, which was crowded to excess for two days before the ceremonies. On the other side of Palace Yard, next the Speaker's house, other Galleries were constructed in the same manner. The same course was pursued the whole length of Little Bridge-street, and part of the way down Great George-street. Galleries and platforms were likewise raised on each side of Parliament-street; and all were commodious, comfortable, and well secured from the effect of the weather. Within the Platform, in Parliament-square, a most extensive building was raised. The whole of the square ground was let to Messrs. Bennet and Hunt of Horseferry Road, and was fitted up in a style of taste, convenience, and security, which excited general approbation. The theatre followed the line of procession, from the end of Parliament-street nearly round to the Abbey gates, a distance of not less than 1200 yards, and commanded a most extensive view from all parts. That side fronting the river looked directly towards the Champion's Stable. On the opposite side of the Platform, another most extensive theatre was erected, which extended to the Sessions House; in fact, there was not an inch of ground upon which a seat could be raised that was not greedily engaged by spectators of all descriptions. Ingenuity was often put to the test to devise distinguishing names for these buildings, and thus the eye was presented with a constant succession of new titles. There was the Grand Central Pavilion; the Garden Pavillion; the Cambridge Gallery; the Royal Gallery; the Royal Sovereign; the Panorama; the Telescope; the Ladies' Fancy; the Royal George; and an infinity of other names equally attractive. Amidst so many candidates there was of course competition, and we believe many of them, before the Coronation was over, had reason to repent they had not commenced their prices upon a scale of greater moderation. We are sorry to hear that many persons who erected stages and galleries, have been almost ruined, from the impossibility of selling their tickets. If they had asked more moderate prices in the first instance, their fate might perhaps have been otherwise ; but the chief cause was the apprehension so generally entertained of the probability of a popular tumult, from the Queen having announced her intention to be present: thus, by her violence, occasioning serious loss to many persons who had volunteered nearly their whole property. Upon the tops of the houses, even to the chimney tops, stages and benches were likewise 1821.] Particulars relative to the Coronation. likewise every where visible; and altho' their appearance was calculated to produce a shudder, yet every one of them had been repeatedly visited by Mr. Hiort and the Committee of Safety, and pronounced secure. In many places seats were offered for hire, from which nothing of the Procession could be seen; for these, it is but just to state, the price was extremely moderate. While so many caterers were at work to provide for the visual appetite, others were not less active in preparing more solid sources of gratification, and waggons laden with provisions of all sorts, toge ther with potables in equal variety and abundance, were seen pouring into the neighbourhood throughout the week. A vast number of persons residing on the spot, desirous of profiting by the general attraction, opened their doors to visitors, whom they regaled with viands of almost every description, at comparatively moderate charges. For the last three or four days before the important 19th, the influx of strangers to Westminster, from all quarters, to view the preparations, was immense; and the throng was frequently so dense, that there was no possibility of moving. The public curiosity to see a Coronation has rapidly increased for many centuries. On consulting Stow, Speed, and other antiquaries, with regard to the sums formerly given, it appears, that the price of a good place at the Coronation of William the Conqueror was a blank, and probably the same at that of his son, William Rufus. At Henry the First's it was a crokard, and at St. Stephen's and Henry the Second's a pollard. At Richard's and King John's, who was crowned frequently, it was a suskyn, and rose at Henry the Third's to a dodekin. In the reign of Edward the coins begin to be more intelligible, and we find that for seeing his Coronation a Q, was given, or the half a ferling, or farthing, which was the fourth part of a sterling, or penny. At Edward II. it was a farthing, and at his son's, Edward III. a halfpenny, which was very well given. In Richard II.'s thoughtless reign it was a penny, and continued the same at that of Henry IV. At Henry V. it was two pennies, or the half of a grossus, or groat; and the same at that of Henry the Sixth, although during the reign of this Monarch, Coronations were so frequent, that the price was brought back to the penny or halfpenny, and sometimes they were seen for nothing. At Edward IV. it was again the half-groat; nor do we find it raised at those of Richard III. or Henry VII. At that of Henry VIII. it was the whole groat, or 77 grossus; nor was it altered at those of Edward VI. and Queen Mary; but at Queen Elizabeth's it was a teston, or tester. At those of James I. and Charles I. a shilling was given; which was advanced to half-a-crown at those of Charles II. and James II. At King William's and Queen Anne's it was a crown; and at George I. it was seen by many for the same price. At George II. some gave half-a-guinea, but that was thought vastly extravagant. How different was the case at the coronation of his successor, his late Majesty George the Third ! The front seats in the gallery of Westminster Abbey were let at ten guineas each; and those in commodious houses along the line of procession at no less prices. The prices in the ordinary houses, were from five guineas to one guinea, so that one little house in Coronation-row, after the scaffolding was paid for, cleared 7001. and some large houses upwards of 1000%. In the Coronation Theatres, as they were called, being a sort of large booths, capable of containing from twelve to fifteen hundred seats, the prices were beyond all precedent. The rent of the ground on which the scaffolding was erected, was proportionably extravagant. That in the Broad Sanctuary let at three guineas and a half per foot, and that within the rails enclosing the Abbey, at five guineas. BILL OF FARE. The following is, we believe, an accurate detail of the dishes prepared for the late Coronation dinner. Hot Dishes.-160 tureens of soup-80 of turtle-40 of rice-and 40 vermicelli, -160 dishes of fish-comprising 80 of turbot-40 of trout-40 of salmon.-160 hot joints-including 80 of venison-40 of roast beef, with three barons-40 of mutton and veal.-160 dishes of vegetables, including potatoes, peas, and cauliflowers.-480 sauce boats-240 of lob sters-120 butter-120 mint. Cold Dishes.-80 dishes of braized ham -80 savory pies-80 dishes of daubed geese, two in each-80 dishes of savory cakes-80 pieces of beef braized-80 dishes of capons braized, two in each1,190 side dishes of various sorts-320 dishes of mounted pastry-320 dishes of small pastry-400 dishes of jellies and creatns-160 dishes of shell fish, 80 of lobster and 80 of crayfish-161 dishes of cold roast fowls-80 dishes of cold house lamb. Total Quantities.-7,442 lbs, of beef 7,133 lbs. of veal-20,474 lbs. of mutton -20 quarters of house lamb-20 legs of house lamb-5 saddles of lamb-55 quarters of grass lamb-160 lambs sweetbreads -389 cow-heels-400 calves' feet-250 lbs. of suet-160 geese-780 pullets and capons 78 Particulars relative to the Coronation. capons-1610 chickens-520 fowls for stock (hens)-1730 lbs, of bacon-550 lbs. of lard-912 lbs. of butter-84 hundred of eggs. Cold dinners were also independently provided for the Clerks of the Kitchen, the Master Cooks, the Confectioners, the Silver Pantry, the King's Band, the Yeomen of the Guards, the Footmen, the Pages of the Back Stairs, the Pages of the Presence, the Watermen, and the attendants. List of the Covers laid, independent of those in the Hall :- -The Painted Chamber had one cross and two long tables, with 170 covers. The Painted Chamber was set apart for the Ambassadors and foreigners of distinction.-In the old House of Lords there were also three tables, and the accommodations were also on a large scale, for there were 140 covers provided. -In the apartments known by the names of the Members' dining rooms, there were furnished 48 covers; the Court of Exchequer 200 covers; Common Pleas 36 covers; Judges' Room, Exchequer Court, 22 covers; Exchequer Chamber 70 covers; Judges' room, Common Pleas, 35 covers; Judges and Treasurer's room, King's Bench, 50 covers; matted Gallery, 60 covers; Library (common) 20 covers; Committee Room, No. 1, 35 covers; No. 3, 25 covers; No. 5, 36 covers; No. 4, 28 covers; Nos. 10, 11, 12, &c. upwards of 150 covers; in Mr. Ley's house, 50 covers. All the extra stock of provisions was given, by his Majesty's order, to the poor of St. Margaret's. Wines.-Champagne, 100 dozen-Burgundy, 20 dozen-Claret, upwards of 200 dozen-Hock, 50 dozen-Moselle, 50 dozen-Madeira, 50 dozen-Sherry and Port, about 350 dozen-Iced Punch, 100 gallons. Ale and Beer.-To the amount of about 100 barrels. The Dinner Porcelaine, &c.—6794 dinner plates, 1406 soup plates, 1499 dessert plates, 288 large ale and beer pitchers. Table Linen, &c.-240 yards of elegant damask table cloths for the Hall, and little less than 1000 yards more laid on the tables in the different rooms; and upwards of 150 dozen of damask napkins used at the different tables, besides nearly half that quantity for waiters, knife-cloths, &c. CORONATION AMUSEMENTS. A brig of war of 10 guns was moored nearly opposite to Norfolk treet, Strand, on Wednesday. On Thursday she was adorned, from stem to stern, with the colours of all nations, and fired salutes, at intervals, from an early hour in the morning. A number of man of war's barges [July, were moored near, from which rockets were fired in the evening. About one o'clock in the day Mr. Green went up in a splendid balloon, from an inclosure near the basin in the Green Park. The balloon was emblazoned with heraldic emblems of His Majesty's arms, and other appropriate ornaments, and inscribed on the lower part, in large gold letters, "George IV. Royal Coronation Balloon." There was appended to it a beautiful boat, displaying at the bow a flag bearing His Majesty's arms, and at the stern an English jack. It rose with a slight inclination towards the north, and from the fineness of the day, remained visible upwards of half an hour. In Hyde Park a boat-race took place a little before two o'clock, on the Serpentine River. Upon this occasion four boats started, and were obliged to double a standard, erected at either extremity of the river, twice. The race was won by about two lengths of the winner's boat. The river was covered with boats filled with ladies and gentlemen regaling themselves upon the water; and its banks lined by carriages and well-dressed persons, who appeared to derive much enjoyment from the scene before them. But what excited the greatest share of attention from the spectators was a splendid triumphal car drawn by two elephants, one before the other, as large as life, and caparisoned after the Eastern manner, with a young woman dressed as a slave seated on the back of each, and affecting to guide the animals with an iron rod. The machine was constructed on a large raft, which was towed by three or four boats, manned with watermen in blue uniform. After dark, the appearance of the trees, illuminated by variegated and Chinese lamps; a long line of tents lighted up in different fanciful modes; swings in full motion; the appearance of an illuminated stage, peeping over a clump of trees near the cascade; together with incessant discharges of very splendid rockets, flashing a glaring light upon the solid mass of spectators, as far as the eye could reach; but, above all, the glimpses caught through the foliage of the trees, of the tastefully illuminated waters of the Serpentine, formed a scene the most picturesque and delightful that can well be conceived. This beautiful piece of water was adorned, at one extremity, by an illuminated transparency, which was erected nearly over the cascade, representing, amongst other things, His Majesty in a triumphant car, drawn by milk white horses; nearly opposite to which, on the right bank, was a handsome lighted temple, surmounted by a crown. It was also illuminated at the other sides; in addition to which, the car and elephants mentioned above were brilliantly lighted up with lamps, |