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of ostrich feathers. His robe was of crimson velvet, spreading amply abroad, and studded with golden stars. Eight young nobles supported the train. You would have thought that such magnificence was not of the earth, but of the fancy;-not made by mortal hands, but wrought by fairy spell out of wonders of the sea and air. It seemed that being once in existence, it could never pass away; but would glow for ever so brightly, so beautifully, so full of matchless romance. The King looked down his hall of state with a proud expression of delight; and the eyes of the attendant ladies seemed to sparkle thrice vividly with the consciousness of their being the living lights and jewels of the scene.

The whole arrangements for the procession being perfected,— the Duke of Wellington, as Lord High Constable, and Lord Howard of Effingham, as Earl Marshal, ascended the steps of the platform, and stood at the outer-side of the table. The train-bearers stationed themselves on each side of the throne.

The three swords were then presented by the Lord Chamberlain, and the officers of the Jewel office; and the gold spurs were in like manner delivered and placed on the table. It was curious and amusing to see the anxiety and care with which the bearers of these made good their retreat; they walked backwards, but with a wary eye to the steps; prudently guarding against any accident, likely to affect the solemnity of the ceremony, or the safety of their persons. The noblemen and bishops who were to bear the Regalia having been summoned, the several swords, sceptres, the orb, and crown, were delivered to them separately, and the procession immediately began to move. There was some confusion towards the gateway of the Hall, arising from the tardiness of those whose duty it was to attend the ceremony; but after much idle bustle in the defaulters, and considerable anxiety and exertion on the part of the heralds, the noble and brilliant multitude was lanched into the air. The martial music heralded the cavalcade fitly along; and the procession itself seemed one stream of varying and exquisite colour. It poured forth through the gray gothic arch at the end of the Hall, in slow, solemn, and bright beauty; and certainly nothing could surpass the gorgeous effect of the whole scene.. A copy of the Herald's "Order of the Procession," which cannot fail to be more correct than any work of the memory, is

given in every newspaper; but its length induces me to refrain from copying it here;-if you are inclined to read it, you have but to class all the noble names of England in the most harmonious order, and you will immediately have a list well befitting this august ceremony.

The King left his throne, and descended the steps of the platform. He paused at the first flight; and a gentleman in a scarlet uniform immediately advanced to tender his support. His Majesty, placing his right hand upon the shoulder of this gentleman, descended the second flight of steps and dismissed him with gracious thanks. The splendid golden canopy, of which I have before spoken, awaited his Majesty at the foot of the steps,—but he walked under and past it, and so continued to precede it, until he left the Hall; whether that he wished the worthy Baron-supporters to have further trial of their strength and skill, or that he chose at first to pass unshrouded before his people, I know not. Very magnificent was his course down the thronged avenue into the open air, the ladies standing up with waving kerchiefs, and the brilliant attendants thronging around the sovereign with busy pride, and a restless consciousness of their glory. The King looked about him with marked delight, and smiled on his people. He walked slowly, and with a sort of balanced precision, not from any immediate weariness, but as though he were husbanding his powers for the labours of the after-day. He certainly looked well, and much younger than I expected to find him.

When his Majesty had passed half down the Hall, I arose from my seat in the gallery, and scrambled along over red baize seats, and flowered skirts of coats, and muslin and satin trains, from box to box, until I reached the music gallery at the very bottom of the Hall, which had now become emptied of flutes, and kettle drums, and hautboys; and from which I imagined a good view might be had through "the great gazing window." I imagined correctly enough; for by a little scratching at the white painted pane, I procured an excellent sight of Palace-yard, and the covered platform on which the King was to walk to the Abbey. Most of the panes of the window were cleaned in a similar manner by the company, and feathered heads were jostling each other for a peep, as eagerly as though they never would see day-light

again. I had one of my feet as handsomely trodden on by a white satin shoe, with a lady's round violent foot in it, as heart could desire; and my new coat was clawed in a fearful manner, by several ardent and unruly kid gloves; so much so, in fact, as to make me tremble for its silken safety. But let me quit this handsome strife, and proceed to give you some description of the scene abroad, as I beheld it.

The fronts of the houses in Palace-yard were clothed with boxes from top to toe, that is, from roof to area, as you see the sides of a theatre; and a very pretty effect they had, being lined with scarlet cloth, and decorated with becoming ornaments. The crowds here were certainly very great, and I know not when I have seen so rich a multitude in the open air. Close to the side of the platforms there was a row of horse soldiers; but this guard was by no means considerable, and the people were admitted to approach very near to the platform itself. I could see that every nook of building, or scaffolding, was tenanted by man or wo

man,

All, all abroad to gaze!

and even the lamp-irons and balustrades of Westminster-bridge (which I could just distinguish through the opening to the right of me) were tenaciously occupied by those who coveted something more indistinct than a bird's-eye view.

The covered platform to the Abbey took a circular course to the left immediately before me, so that I could clearly see "the order of the course."—And, if any thing, I think the dresses looked more superb and magnificent in the warm and free day-light, than when subdued by the enormous roof under which I had at first observed them. The vivid, yet soft lustre, of the satin cloaks of the Knights of the Bath floated before the eye like liquid silver. -The Peers' long and matchless robes of solemn crimson streamed over the purple foot-way, and looked nobility; while the dark blue garbs of the passing pages seemed to relieve the rich and flowing stream of colour, which else had been too, too bright!Do not think that I speak extravagantly here. It was all enchantment.

I saw the King advance along the platform before I saw him; -for the boxes which fronted me literally thrilled with shaken

gloves, and hands, and handkerchiefs;-and the shouts, mingling at first, and then overwhelming the music beneath me, brake like thunder on my ear. The band of the horse-guards was stationed immediately under me, in the Palace-yard, and it appeared to play with increased vigour as the King passed,--but in vain! The trumpeter swelled, and thrust forth his brass furniturc with zealous fury; but he only looked the blast. The double-drum waved his sticks, and beat with anvil-strokes; but it was like beating wool. The cymbals flashed in the air, and met with lightning fierceness; but they kissed as quietly as lovers at the twilight. And, breathe earnestly as they would, the flutes and hautboys could but "pipe to the spirit ditties of no tone." The sight of this music was to me deeply interesting; for I could fancy it all that was rich and enchanting, even amid the deafening and multitudinous noise that shrouded it.

Heard melodies are sweet, but those unheard

Are sweeter!

His Majesty now passed slowly before me, and seemed to walk amid the voices of his subjects. I looked till I could look no longer; and then, like Fatima in Blue Beard, I came down, lest I should be fetched down. The Hall was very soon nearly half emptied, by those who had tickets for viewing the solemn ceremony of the Crowning in the Abbey. I had no ticket; but I took my walk abroad, to look at those who had, and I gained from several friends the few particulars which I now venture to give you.

My friend F. whose eloquent tongue and happy memory have more than once surprized you, says that the entrance at the north door of the Abbey was very forbidding, owing to the intricate roots of the scaffolding; but that when you were in the interior, the scene was truly impressive. The early morning pierced through the lofty shafts, and touched angle and point; while, with gray light, the crimson boxes stood bravely out from the solemn walls on each side. The throne of gold raised in the centre of the cross, had a solitary grandeur, which he declares he can never forget; and the sacrarium, or chapel, fronting the throne, was magnificently furnished forth. The pulpit of crimson velvet and gold, fixed to a pillar, had also a grand and simple effect. And the ta

ble of gold plate, standing under the canopy, supported by palmtrees, struck him as singularly elegant. An ottoman of enriched tissue, intended to be held over the King at his unction, was placed on one side of the altar; and there was also a blue velvet chair and desk for the King's devotions. King Edward's throne, an antique golden chair of state, stood in the middle of the area. You will have some idea of this sacred scene, if you recall to mind the cathedral of your neighbouring city, and imagine it thrice spacious, thrice lofty, thrice beautiful. Conceive that the whole of the aisle, from the door to the altar, is left open, and that the boxes for the company occupy each side between the pillars. Imagine a throne of gold, raised on a platform, opposite the altar, with royal seats near to it. You will thus really have a picture of the Abbey "in little."

There was as much bustle in the Abbey as in the Hall, by my friend's account, at the approach of the King; and the agitation of the ladies was no whit inferior to that which was got up at the first sight of His Majesty. The royal musicians stood in act to hurl forth the anthem, the moment the signal should be given. The procession was ushered into the gateway, by Miss Fellowes, and her white cluster, scattering flowers. On the King's canopy appearing, a universal shout arose, and the coronation anthem was commenced: "I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord." The full chorus was awfully sublime, and thrilled all hearers; while the august crowd poured on like a grand visible accompaniment under it. The canopy stopped at the chancel, and His Majesty advanced to the sacrarium, attended by the officers bearing the regalia.

The King now stood up, and the Archbishop turned on all sides to the people, saying, "I present you, King George the Fourth, the undoubted King of this Realm; wherefore, all you that come this day to do him homage, are ye willing to do the same?" The shout was sublime-the multitude standing up, and waving caps and handkerchiefs for several minutes. The plumes tossed about in the chancel and transept like a brilliant stormy sea; and a thousand glowing colours played within gray nook, and from graceful pillar.

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