The National Register. — London, England, 1811-06-23 00:00:00

THE NATIONAL REGIST'Eit. THE PRINCE REGENT'S FETE. A great national calamity having deprived the fashionable and the elevated of the annual celebration at St. James's, of their Sovereign's birth-day, his Royal Highness the Prince Regent thought it his duty to pr ivide a substitution, greatly exceeding, in brilliancy at least, all former displays of cordial hospitality on the part of the Sovereign, and affectionate loyalty on that of his subjects, from the commencement of his reign to the present day.—Wednesday night this grand entertainment took place, to which there had been previously invited upwards of 2001 of the Nobility and Gentry of the country, the Foreign Ambassadors, the French Princes and Nobility, and other distinguished Fo reigners. At six o'clock, the grenadiers of the guards paraded in white gaiters, with the bands of their regiments in the Court yard of Carlton-house. They were soon after joined by a strong party of the life-guards dismounted. A troop also paraded in Pall Mall to keep order among the carriages, according to pre vious arrangement. At this early hour, the anxiety of the pub lic to witness the preparations was conspicuous. Persons were seen coming in every direction of the town towards the Prince's residence. At eight o'clock, the carriages began to approach with company ; at nine o'clock the dates of Carlton-house were thrown open, and although the utmost order and regularity were observed, it was between twelve and one o'clock before the whole as3emblage was formed. The illustrious family of the House of Bourbon entered through i slie garden about ten, when they were ushered into the Privy Council Chamber, where the Prince Regent was sitting under a crimson canopy of state, surrounded by the Officers of his Household, who, on their approach, immediately rose to receive them. The French Sovereign was introduced by the Earl Moira as Comte De Lisle, and her Royal Highness the Duchess Angouleme by the Duchess of York, and the French Princess by Lord Dundas. They were received not only with the utmost respect, but with every mark of affectionate regard. The amiable daughter of Louis the Eizitteenth, naturally attracted his chief attention, the exhilirating effect of which was clearly discernible on her woe-worn but interesting countenance. From this grand ceremonial the Illustrious Strangers retired in the sky-blue satin room that acik.ined; the expensive suite of curtains which were of the same colour, lined with white silk, and massily embroidered gold fringe, leaves, and tassels, and beautifully decorated with fieur-de-lis—a marked and delicate compliment to the Illustrious Visitors. The Prince Regent now passed through into the Grand Sa loon, which was most brilliantly illuminated, and is confessedly in every respect, the finest room in Europe. Here his Royal Highness now paid his respects to the /%19blesse, &c. crowded and assembled, in his most graceful and truly fascinating man ner. The company were for some time naturally lost in amaze ment at the coup d'cril, which the views through two distinct suites of apartments have so magically presented. It would be a difficult task to describe, in terms adequate, the effect produced by the profusion of magnificent objects, which, a: every glance, conveyed an exalted idea of princely taste, national grandeur, and the fine arts, cherished in a state of perfection. The apartments were decorated with s, lendour perfectly new. The Palace was a scene of enchantment, and every elegant female, clad in the attire of her native country, appeared the Armida. The Conservatory was one of the most distinguished objects in the splendid arrangement. The building, of the gothic order, appeared to be the most perfect and beautiful specimen of that style, executed in nio fern times.. It presented, at one glance, the fine effect of a lofty aisle in an ancient cathedral. Letween the pillars, candelabras were suspended 12 feet above the ground., each presented four brilliant patent burners, which spread a treadth of light nut easy to describe. The interior struck the Beholder with. astenishment. The grand table extended the whole length of the Conservatory, and across Carlton House,, to the whole length of 2CO feet. Two feet of space was allotted each guest in the original calculation. Along the centre of the table, about six inches above the surface, a canal of pure water continued flowing from a silver fountain, beautifully constructed at the head of the table. Its faintly waving, artificial banks, were covered with green moss, and aquatic flowers ; gold and silver coloured fish were, by a mechanical invention, made to swim and sport through the bubbling current, which produced a pleasing murmur, were it fell, and formed a cascade at this outlet. At the head of the table, above the fountain, sat his Royal Highness the Prince Regent on a throne of crimson vel— vet, trimmed with gold. The throne commanded a view of the company. The most particular friends of the Prince were arranged on each side. They were attended by sixty Serafteurs; seven waited on the Prince, besides six of the King's and six of the Queen's footmen, in their state liveries, with one man in a complete suit of ancient armour. At the back of the throne ap peared aureola tables, covered with crimson drapery, construct ed to exhibit, with the greatest effect, a profusion of the most exquisitely wrought silver gilt plate, consisting of fountains, tripods, espergnes, dishes, and other ornaments. Above the whole of this superb display appeared a royal crown and 4is Majesty's cypher, G. R. splendidly illuminated. It is al most unnecessary to add, that his Royal Highness gave all the grandeur and honour of this brilliant fete to his Royal Parent. The lesser wax lights in silver, placed on the table, were cor respondent with the whole mass of elegance. The sides of, the Conservatory were hung with variegated lamps. The arches were also illuminated with lamps springing from the pillars. Down the centre from the roof were suspended several beautiful chandeliers and lustros, and the whole raised in the minds of the sectators the most exalted ideas of the Prince's taste and libe rality. The supper was the most superb in spectacle arrar Be ment that perllaps ever was exhibited in this country. The state table of the Prince Regent was ranged along the Conser vatory, the west end of which (being the head,) was hung semi circularly with a crimson silk ground, covered with transparent muslin, drawn into a variety of apertures, for the splendid dis play of numerous gold vases, urns, massy salvers, &c. &e. em bossed by admirable workmanhip, and the whole surmounted by a most superb ancient urn, captured in the reign of Elizabeth from the Spanish Admiral, who comm nded what ♦vas so pre sumptuously styled the "Invinritle Armada."—The whole from the design, and directed under the superior taste or Nlessra. Runeell and 13ridge ; the service of this table was in gold. Ad joining to this were tables running through the library and the whole lower suite of rooma, the candelabras in which were so arranged, that the Regent could distinctly see, and be seen, from one end to the other. Along those tables the Royal Family of England and that of the Bourbons, and the Noblesse were seated conformably to their respectiv&ranks. On the right hand of the Prince Regent was placed the Duchess d'Angouleine—on his left, the Duchess of York. From the Library, and room be yond, brinched out two great lines of tables under canvass far into the gardens, each in the shape of a cross, all richly served with silver, and covered with every delicacy that the season could possibly afford. When the whole company was 'seated, there vas a line of female beauty, more richly adorned, and is blaze of jewellery more brilliant than England ever; displayed before.—The Prince Regent sustained the Royal Host through out with all the dignified and unabating courtesy that so arduous a character requires.—The library and council-room displayed the greatest taste. The latter was appropriated to dancing, and the floors chalked in a beautiful style. In the centre appeared G. R. 111. with the crown, supporters, and blazonry. Ihe ex ternal decorations were equally grand and pleasing. The aisle orposite the grand Conservatory was furnished with large mir rors, girandules, and candelabras. It formed a superb prome nade, rendered delightful by garlands and festoons of roses, pinks, arnations, and the finest flowers of every species. Orange-