The National Register.
London, England, 1821-05-07 00:00:00

-


ACCOUNT OF THE REGALIA.
Now xxniurrixo IN THE JEWEL-HOUSE, TOWER.

The new imperial crown is about fifteen inches in
elevation ; the arches, which rise almost to a point, in-
stead of the inelegant flatness of the former crown, are
surmounted with an orb of brilliants, seven inches in
circumference. Upon this is placed a Maltese cross of
brilliants, set transparently, with three pearls at its ex-
tremities, of remarkable size and beauty. The arches
are wreathed and fringed with diamonds. Four Maltese
crows, formed of brilliants also, surround the crown,
with four large 'diamond flowers in their intervening
spaces. On the centre of the hack cross is the ancient
ruby, which was worn at Cressy and Azincour, by the
Black Prince and Henry V. while that of the front cross
is adorned with an unique sapphire, of the deepest azure,
than two inches long, and one inch broad. The
ermine is surmounted with a band of large diamonds,
emeralds, sapphires, and rubies, and immediately under
these, a fillet of beautiful pearls. The lustre of this un-
evaded crown is heightened by a dark crimson cap of
the finest velvet ; and its general effect confirms the opi-
nion of all who have seen it, that his present Majesty is
the first British Sovereign who has possessed a diadem
worthy of this proud and potent empire.
Tile mode of its exhibition has most judiciously varied
from the former custom. Instead of being partially
shown by a small part of the CJSC being opened, the
cover is now lifted off, and the crown is vistirely seen, on
a white Ilion cushion embroidered with gold; while the
circular motion of as stand enables the spectator leisurely
to observe all us splendour and elegance.
The ancient crown is still exhibited; but, though it
has been repaired and beautifi:d, has little attraction be-
yond its recollection, and the contract which it displays,
frith in shape and ,plendour, to the magnificence of the
new diadem.

The two orbs, the diadems, the Prince of Wales's
crown, the live sceptres, and the con fessoei stiff have all
been renovated, The ancient Gable ornaments of the
King's coronation sceptre Las been replaced by golden
leaves, surrounding tile large amethyst, each bearing the
rose, the shamrock, and the thistle, the symbols of the
three kingdoms.
l'he coronation bracelets have been newly enamelled,
and the golden buckles and embroidered velvet straps
added to the coronation spurs.
The curtatia, alt the swords of temporal and spiritual
justice, have been ornamented with new scabbards, of
velvet splendidly embossed and embroidered, and golden
mountings.
The golden wine fountain, the salt-cellar, the model
of the white tower, the communion chalice and paten,
the eagle, the spoon, &c. of the coronation solemnity;
the missive chased tankards, arid the twelve salt-cellars,
fur the banquet in Westminster-hall, have all been re-
paired. To these last twelve, golden plates and spoons
have been now for the first time added.

The above is a very faint •rtt-line of the present state
of the jewel-room, which, with the curtain and lining of
scarlet cloth, whereby the splendour of the several articles
is greatly heightened, never till now presented a specta-
cle so dazzling to beholders.

ROEIL LONDON INFIR .11,111 Y,
For Curing Diseases of the Eye, patronised by Lis Royal
Highness the Duke of York.

On Wednesday the ceremony of laying the stone of
an Hospital fur the cure of the sarions diseases of the
eye, took placed in Moorfields, at the east corner, near
the Roman Catholic chapel. At three o'clock, the hour
appointed, a l'3ll concourse of people attended in anxious
expectation of seeing the procession.
The stewards and committee made excellent arrange-
ments for the accommodation of the public, hut more
particularly for the ladies. After a few ininmes beyond
the appointed time, W. Mellish, Esq. the president, and
the stewards and committee, arrived, and were introduced
to the different places appointed tor them by the archi-
tect and others in waitimz.
A triangle heing pre% imisly in readiness, erected over
the place where tne stone was to be set, the architect
stated that every thing was ready. A silver trowel was
then hamled to Nlr. Mellish, and proper mortar brought
forward. Some gold, silver, and copper coins, of the
reign of George IV. were put into a glass bottle, which
were deposited in a cavity cut in the stone.
Mr. !Mellish then placed the stone regularly, having
first spread the mortar with his trowel, and laid a brass
plate over the coins, on which was engraved the billow-
ing inscription :—" London Infirmary for curing diseases
of the eye. f led by the late J. Cunningham,
MDCCCXXI. Pa of the Infirmary,
Marshal 11. R. H. Frederick Duke of York:KG. '—
Next follow the name of the Piesident, Vice President,
ke. Ater the ceremony concludied, tic whole %vent in
procession, and dined at the London Tavern.

During a storm on Sunday, the I.sth tilt. the lightning
struck some trees near the New Church, Needwood,
one of which, a pollard oak, it divided front the toll of
the I kto the earth, throwing splinters four and five
feet long to the distance of V. 5 yards; the top had been
s two off, and branches surrounded the trunk rising ten
or twelve fret above it, hut none of them were injured:
another tree, 22 paces from the former, had the tipper
branches and one side of the trunk in a slate of decay.—
The elecmc fluid passed from the top dots it the boom'
side to the earth, in some places only bursting the nark,
in others, splintering the wood to the depth of two
inches, and in breadth three or four.

On Saturday morning, Capt. G. Hance, belong-
ing to tltc Dineh military service, was Mund in the
privy of the Black Bull, Britonside, Plymouth, with
three stabs under his left breast, and his throat cut
in a most shocking manlier. Ile has left a widow
and child to deplore his Inc:ant:holy late.

. •

ME NATIONAL REGISTER •

Police.

Twit MURDER AT lIRRNR Bar.—How STREET.-00
Thursday a public examination of the men charged w ith the
murder of Mr. Snow of the Preventive Service, took place
at this office, before Richard Hirnie, J'. q. she Sitting
Magistrate. The prisoneis are five in number, three having
been admitted evidence for the Crown. Their namra are
James West, William Beer, Joule Richardson, Thomas
Richardson, mot William Williams.
David North, quarter-master of the Severn, employed on
the preventive service, deposed to the circumstances of the
outrage, its consequence of which Mr. Snow 1,1119 killed.—
He stated, that, after the officer was hemmed in by the
smugglers, he attempted to get to his assistance, but such a
heavy fire was kept up that he found it impossible, and was
obliged to retreat.
George Griffiths (an accomplice) swore that, on Monday
evening, the SOth of April, he was engaged by the prisoner
James West, to assist in " working" (the phrase for running
the cargo,) a boat that night at Herne Buy. Witness and
a great number of other persons met that evening afterwards
at the Grove Ferry, between Canterbury and the Reculvers,
and proceeded from thence to the house of the prisoner John
Richardson, where gummed pistols were distributed amongst
them, with about seven or eight rounds of ball cartridges to
each armed man. It was arranged that thine who were
armed should cover those who were not. While they worked
the goods, which were to be put into two carts provided fur
the purpose. There were about 60 men ire all their party.
They then proceeded to the appointed spot in a meadow at
the back of some houses in Herne Hay, and arrived there at
about a quarter before three o'clock 011 Tuesday morning.—
Shortly tiller the boat lauded, and at the same time witness
saw two men who he believed were of the preventive service
standing a few yards from them, rend lie saw one of thefts
snap a pistol twice, but it did not go Ills party then
filed, nod the man lie had seen snap the iestol drew his cut-
lass and rushed iii amongst them, and aiiitesssaw uo more of
him. (This is supposed to be Mr. Snow.) Tile), eifecied a
landing of 60 tubs of spirits, which were emit ed away in
carts. All the prisoners were present.
The witness, its answer to a question from Mr. Harmer,
said, lie fired himself six or seven times, but Daly with
powder. He tore the bullet from each of Ms 1111trolgi
;.
litre the prisoners were observed to smile and toss up their
beads as if in astonishment.

James Smith, another accomplice, stated nearly the same
facts as the last witness. he admitted that he said Bathing
about the matter until he was iu custody.
!Await, HO WIII4II, also a party in the affray, was neat
called, and described the plans sof the sinuAlers more mi-
nutely than the others. By this statement it would appear
that they arc quite systematical in their operations, and
act almost with the precision of disciplined men. It tra.,
he said, agreed upon that they should proceed to the Rpm iii
small parties by diffreent roads, and arrive them precisely at
the anme period, and the armed men were then to form into
two bodies of equal number, and to fall, one to the right
and the other to the left of the place of landing, and those
without arms were to work the goods under their protection.
The lauding of the goods was effected in this manner, a con-
stant firingibeina kept up. After the boat had pushed off,
itness saw a man lying on his hack on the beach, and
called out to him" llalluo!" and he replied," I am a dead
nlitii." Witness did not stop to assist him, but mentioned
afterwards to his companions, who s.tid "Ii was only a
sham." James West tans the miteter of the company, and
paid w itness seven shillings fur his night's work. He fired
twice or (Mee times himself.

Mr. J s, the solicitor fur the Admiralty, then requested
that the prisoners taught hr remanded fur at week, observing
that his Majesty's law officers had not yet determined
!tether they should be prosecuted for the murder, or under
the statute for unlawfully assembling with aims, &c.
Mr. Burnie then ordered that the Iprisonets should be
brought up on Thursday nest. They acre all heavily
ironed.