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

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 thesßlood Royal. In
the cmilic of this table that is in the Place immediately oc-
.

e).-,

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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 Russian
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!t3l and, adled