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
islie 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-