The National Register. — London, England, 1814-06-19 00:00:00

JUNE 19 es f.ending from Charing-cross'to Guildhall, presented a scene of busy and active preparation : seati and platforms wer e erected at every house, for the accommodation of persons desirous of witnessing the grand procession, and happy was the individual who was fortunate enough to procure accom modation upon them, for where one was so happy to do so, either by interest or friendship, hundreds failed of success. As it was foreseen that the crowds who would be collected on this occasion would be immense, every possible precau tion was taken by the Committee of Management to prevent confusion, and to secure eas - s acres; for the company to the place of entertainment. As one great step towards this, bar: were erected across all the streets communicating with Fle:t street, Ludgate-hill, Cheapside, and the rest of the line through which the pi oe ession was to pass, and no thorough fire was allowed for carriages through these streets after three o'clock in the afternoon, at which time also the gates of Temple-bar were closed. From Temple bar to Guildhall, the road was covered with a thick coat of gravel for the carriages to proce. d upon ; the streets were hued with foot tuldiers, and cavalry in parties paraded up and down to i,cep the passage clear. From many of the houses in Fleet street, Cheapside. Rtc. har , ners cowaining appropriate de vices were displayed ; he windows and fronts of the houses *ere at an early hour of the day occupied by thousands of beautiful and elegantly dre,sed females ; and the pavement was crowded to such an excess wi!h anxious spectators, that it was utterly impovible to force a passage through, and all business was of course suspended. The nearer the approach to Guildhall the. greater. became !he pressure. and it was with the greatest difficulty that the constables. assisted by the mi litary, could preserve a passae for the carriages. The whole of Guldhal-sard was inclosed, an opening only large enough for the adapssion af a carriage to drive up to the principal entrance of the flail being !eft, the carriages having set down, te. y pa-sr:d through Blackwell hall, and drove oil by the back streets. THE NATIONA Li REGISTER. GUILT/ HALL. We shall now proceed to give a description as far as our limi's will permit, of the preparat;ons which had been made far the reception of their Illusnions Visitors on this extra ordinary occasion by the Corporation. From the principal entrance of the Hall, a covered wav, extending about ten cards, was erected ; this was hung with green cloth, and the flooring covered with matting, the whole lighted up with glass glghes. Immediately preceding the entrance of the Hal in the large patch, were stauds erected out; above the other, covered with flowers and fragrant shrubs, which being interspersed with lamps of a bright gold colour, had a most beautiful effect. The hall itself was entirely hung with crimson cloth, and around it were erected galleries :31raut eight feet wide, for the necommol.tion of ladies. Theie galleries being divided, r.nd separa:c divisions assigned for the ladies . of each ward. Above these galleries and between the figures of Got; and Magcs - , who upon this occasion have received each a new dress, wro a gallery for the music, in which were placed the Duke of yoik'§ and the City bands. The groat galleries were supported by arches ; in the re. cesses thus formed were placed circular tables for the ac commodation of some of the dinner compauy :.these re cesses were hung with beautiful tapestry, and decorated with lamps. At the west end, or boltom of the Hall, was placed an immense large looking-g,lass,. in which the figures of the Sovereigns, and those. sitting at the upper end of the Hall, were reflected. At the cast, or upper end of the Hall, on a raised platform, was placed a cross table, appropriated to the Royal Guests. • This- table was laid out for twenty.five per tops only, all of whom were Princes of the s ßlood Royal. In the cmilic of this table that is in the Place immediately oc . e). - , - cupied by the chair of the Lord Mayor on the hustings, was' erected a beautiful and rich canopy of crimson' velvet, or namented with gold fringe, cords, &c. and beneath this ca nopy were placed three superb chairs of state ; that in the centre was occupied by the Prince Regont, on whose right hand was placed the Emperor, on his left the king of Prussia : immediately over his Royal Highness's seat was placed the feathers, and at each extremiti of the canopy the Russia n and Prussian eagles superbly with. Other chairs were placed round the table extremely rich, though not equally so with those under the canopy for the rest of the Royal Prince:. Upon thin table there was a rich and splendid display of plate. The different companies, the ManFion•llouse. and all the. public bodies in the c:ty, as wet as individuals having contributed towards the supply of that article on this most important occasion. In addition to the display . of plate on the table, there was two side-boards erected at the extremities of the platform to the right and left, which were loaded with the most rich and beautiful services. The We of the Prince Regent was further . d2rorated and most tastefully ornamented with numerous small but splendid and richly ex ecuted glass, bearing the arms of the Sovereign.; and Peinc . 3 prezent, and others with iticr.;pCoos illustrative of the cau ses of the Festival. Und!r the prineip!e g dlerv, and nearly on a line with the grand table were eroctud two small galle ries, one on each side, in which were Flared Messrs. Taylor, Cuss, Leete, Vaughan, and the usual corps of gite sing -r:, who at entervals sung some of the most favourite gke3 and so!lgs. In addition to this table there we: e three other tables extend ing the whole length of the Hall, from east. to west. At which were placed the noblemen and gentlemen invited, and those belonging to the suites of the three Save; e:gns. The Aldermen and Common Council. Through the centre of these tables a passage was left up the steps to the Court of Bench, which was, on this occasion, fitted up as a withdrawing-room. This room and the passage leading to • it was hung with crimson cloth, the lio:}r, as was that of the Hall also, being covered with new matting. It was also fur nished with elegant chairs and li.;leed by some rich lustres. At the upper cud of the Court .was placed a large and beauti Cul Transparency formed of stained glass The upper part a beautiful figure of Peace with the olive branch her luad, on her tight the implements of war—cannons.. spears, &c. surmounted with the name of Wellington,' on left a ship, over which appeared the name of Nelson ; beneath the figure of Peace wa; a full length figure of our venerable Sovereign, di cssed in his robes of state ; his right•hai:d stry.id li itannia , on his left appeared the Goddess of Plenty. Thc whole •had a most beautiful and spledid effect. THE CJllllo\' cOUNCH., CII.IIITiER. This room was most cle2antly and superbly fitted up as a drawin4-room, for the reception of the Savereigns. All the seat: were removed, and their place supplied by richly orna mente.l chairs ; the Holr and walls of the room were co vered with crimson cloth, and, at the upper end, a superb throne of state was erected far the Prince Regent. On the arrival of the tt.iovereigns, they were received by the Lord Mayor at the prinpal entrance, and conducted through a line formed by the Common Council and Aldermen, to this mom, where they continued till conducted to the dinner table. All external light was excluded from the Hall. The windows being blocked up, it was so arranged however that the painted windows at the upper and lower part of the Hall. having lights placed behind them, formed two beautiful trans parencies. The Hall was further lighted by eight extremely rich cut glass chandeliers, suspended from the roof, along the centre, by lustres, in each recess, and at distances above the EaUccivs. These were all fil!cd , •vith wax lig . l!t3 l and, adled