The National Register.
London, England, 1820-08-20 00:00:00

No. 1,261.—V0L. XIII.]

PROCESSION OF THE QUEEX

TO ♦ND NOON Till
HOUSE OF LORDS.

The agitated state of the public mind on the subject of
the momentous and unprecedented proceedings now
actually commenced against the Queen of England was
never so decidedly and powerfully expressed as it was
throughout Thursday by the crowds of persons ()revery
description who thronged the principal streets of West-
minster. At an early hour in the morning workmen
were employed in completing the double rows of strung
timber fences thrown up from St. Margaret's Church to
the King's Bench-office on the one side, and the upper
extremity of Abingdon Street on the other, so as to
enclose the whole area in front of the House of Lords,
and the whole line of the street we have mentioned, and
preserse it exclusively open for the carriages of Peers to
and from the principal entrance of the House of Lords.
Within this extensive area a very large body of constables
were stationed under the orders of the High Bailiff, and
Mr. Lee, the High Constable, who were in attendance
before seven o'clock. The orders were, that no persons
without official permission, should be suffered to pass
the barriers at either extremity alter 10 o'clock. A very
strong body of the Foot-guards were posted in the King's
Bench Office, the Record Office, and other apartments
in front of the street ; Westminster Hall was also appro-
priated for the accommodation of the military. All the
passages which led from St. Margaret'schurch-yard into
Parliament Street were carefully closed by strong timber
partitions. The Police hulk and the gun-boats defended
the river side of Westminster Hall, and the civil and
military arrangements presented an effectual barrier at
the opposite side. At nice o'clock a troop of Life-guards
rode into Palace Yard, and formed in line in front of
the principal gate of Westminster Hall. They were
shortly followed by a large detachment of the Foto-
guards, who at first took up a position next the Life-
guards, in front of the Hall, but soon afterwards changed
their station, and formed under the piazza of the House
of Lords, where they piled their arms. Patrols of the
Life-pods were theu thrown forward, in the direction of
Abingdon Sresetriii.ty"occasionally formed near the
Kings entrance, and at intervals paraded between the
temporary barriers. At half past nine o'clock a body of
the Surrey mounted patrol rode over Westminster-bridge,
from the adjoining livery-stables where they were
stationed, and continued for a short time parading Par-
liament Street, Whitehall, and Charing-cross; they
afterwards drew up near the barrier at St. Margaret s
church. Up to this time of the morning the crowds
which had been slowly assembling in the neighbourhood
of Parliament Street, were occupied in taking up such
convenient positions as they could command to see her
Majesty pass. A rumour was circulated, probably with
a view to divide the attention of the crowd, that the

Queen, who slept on Wednesday night at Brandenburgh
House, was to come to the House of Lords by water.—
This had the eftect of fixing a throng upon Westminster
Bridge. At half-past nine o'clock the avenues between
St. James's-square and palace-yard were occupied by large
bodies of people, the greater part of them respectably
dressed. The windows and tops of the houses were
filled by fashionable and respectable persons, chiefly
ladies, who manifested the greatest anxiety for the ap-
proach of the Queen. Every carriage that appeared in
the distance was the object of much attraction, in the
hope that it indicated the approacii of the illustrious
lady who was the cause of so much interesting and URI..
MI in pled solicitude.
Mr. Sheriff Parkins, in his state carriage, frequently
passed beck wards and forwards. We understood lie was
waiting for Lord Erskine, to present the remora:lances
of the Common Council to the House of Lords for re-
jecting their lot tiler petition. Mr. Sherd'. Rot ti well was
also in Old Palace Yard, to jot') iu prescotiog the re-
monstrances to Lord Erb!:loc.; the two Sheriffs met his
Loraship iu Ellis's otue.
The Peers had been, from an early hour in the morn-
ing, gradually arriving at their house. The Lord Chan-
cellor came before eight o'clock. The Monsters were
equally early in their attendence ; and several Peers who
arrived on horseback were cheered by the people. Ills
Royal Highness the Duke of York rode through the
Horse Guards, soon after Moe o'clock, attended by a
single groom. His Royal Highness was, of course,
dressed in full mourning, and rode without attracting
particular observation until he got into the crowd which
filled Parliament-street. The Royal Duke was then
recognised by the people, and universally and enthnsia-
astically cheered. His Royal Highness appeared at lust
surprised at these warn in irks of popular attachment.
He repeatedly bowed in acknowledgment of them, and
appeared extremely anxious to pass quickly tl gh th.•
crowd. His Royal Highness's appsrent intent ion was
frustrated by the enthusiasm of those who pressed around
him, and who with reiterated cheer. accompanied him
so the edge of the barrier, through which he passed on
his way to the House of Lords. Thi., mark of popular
attachment to his Royal Highness was universal, and
cannot fail to be gratifying to the Royal Family. The
Duke of Sussex, who drove down his ehattot, was
egnatly the object of loud cheering.