The National Register.
London, England, 1814-04-24 00:00:00

THE NATIONAL REGISTER.

APRIL pt,

ENTRANCE otTilE KING OF FRANCE

INTO LONDON.

Wednesday was a day of signal interest to the metropolis.—
London bad seen a French Monarch within its walla before. It was
reserved fir Wednesday to strew one under circuinstances of greater
glory to her, than if he had come a captive,—a Monarch of France
returning in triumph to his own land, after being sheltered by Bri-
tigh fortitude, and restored by British sacrifices fur the peace of the
world.
The spirit that led ont the thauggnds and t.ms of Illorlands w!lieh
crowded from her gates was scarcely c.urio,ity ;—it might well be
thought something inure noble ; and the joy and animation of the
hour flowed from sources which had but slight connection with the
commo feelings of viil4-.lr timer. It was the joy of a victory,—not
bloi 4, anti shaded with deep regrets for the blood that it had shed,
—it was the pride of no stained and perishing laurel,--it bore the
stronger (bar meter of a lofty and solemn rejoicing for the close of
that battle after which the sword was to be drawn no more ; tie
great consummation and reward of that strtic,..!glc which she had stet
taiocd through " rood report and evil report," and in which a
power more than of man seemed at length to interpose and lead het
to the summit of earthly glory.
The followitur order for the entrance of the French King was
(wed early in the morning :

Horse Guards, April 20. 1814.
ARRANGEMFNT FOR THE PUBLIC ENTRANCE OF HIS MAJESTY
THE KING OF FRANCE INTO LONDON THIS DAY.

One gqnadron of the Horse GOalls to meet his Majesty at Kilburn
Wells, and from thence to form his escort to Chalon's Hotel in Al-
bemarle-street.

The following in full drills and parade oril..r
One Squadron of Horse Guards, with a Standard.
One Hundred of the Foot Guards and a Colour, to Earns his Ma-

jesty's Guards at the Hotel.
The Standard and Colours of these Guards to be ornamented with
white ribbons.
The Officers and Soldiers to wear white cockades.
These Guards to he at their posts at two o'clock.
The 1 irgest number of Life Gaud, that can be assembled for this
duty, to parade in Hyde Park today at one o'clock : their duty to
line the streets from Hyde Park Collier to the Hotel, and to give
small detaelimenis to aid the Foot Guards on duty at the different
park-gates.
Tlic Yeomanry Cavalry, who volunteer their services on this oc-
casion, assea.ble in II) de Park at one o'clock: their duty to pre-
serve order in the Park. and to keep vicar the entrance from the
FAgeware road to the westeml of Oxford-street. and the entrance
of the Park by Cumberland.gate.
A Subaltern's Guard, from the Foot Guards, to be stationed at one
o'clock at each of the park gates ; their orders not to permit any
carriages, except those belonging to the Royal Family, to pass on
the road on the east side of the park,naMely, from Cumberland-gate
to Hyde-park-corner, which road is kept clear from carriages and
horsemen. No carriaze or horsemen admitted into Hyde Park alter
two o'clock, till the procession is passed.
The Civil Magistrates are directed to keep all the avenues to Al.
beinarle-street clear, for which purpose the Life Guards to gi've their
best msiitance.

At four in the morning the Prince Regent's state-carriage, with
seven of the usual royal equipages, with out-riders, had set out fur
Statimore, where his Majesty was to breakfast. At eleven o'clock
two troops of the Oxford Blues, in their state uniforms, arrived at
Kilburn turnpike, to escort the Prince Regent to Staumore.
Her Majesty And the Princesses Elizabeth and Mary arrived at
the Queens Palace, from Windsor. The Prince Regent, after giv-
ing audience to Earl Ratlturs', left Carlton-lionse in his travelling
carriage. for Stanmore, at half-past twelve o'clock, attended by the
Duke of Montrose, Master of the Horse, and Viscount Melbourne,
the Lord in Waiting. His Royal Highness's postillions were
dresced in white jackets, with white hats and cockades.
The Duchess of Oldenburg sent invitations to the Queen, and the
PrUice.ees Elizabeth, Mary, Charlotte of Wales and Sophia of Glo-
fetter, to conie to Pniteney Hotel, to see the Royal procession :
they all went except her Majesty : and there the Royal party were
also joined by the Russian Ambassador, the Countess Lieven, Gen.
Taikescolf, the Baron Nicolai, ttc.
The Marquis of Abercorn had invited the Prince Regent and the
King of France to his mansion, the Prtory near Stanniore, which in-
vitation was, however, declined.
' The Prince Rages's arrived at the Abercorn Arms lan, at Mau-

' 2G9

more, about two o'clock, from whence the procession was to rm.
ceed. The town of Stanmore exhibited the most novel sight: there
was hardly a lonise that did Ant display tokeus of respect, by means
of flags, ribbands, &e. Nil:rib:Ts of the Nobility and Gentry of that
part of the country, and in fact every person who could procure a
horse, went a mile out of the town to accompany the King of France
into Stanmore ; and vile!' his Majesty had got within a short dis-
tance, the populace, who had become extremely nemerons, took the
horses from his carriage and drew him into the village. The Prince
Regret was at the door of the inn in readiness to receive his Majes.
ty, which his Royal Highness did according to the custom of the
French nation try embracing him ; they conversed in the French
language. The King was dressed in blue and geld, resembling the
Windsor uniform. 'l'lre Prince Regent was in full regimentals, with.
hi 3 Russian and Englidi orders.
The Proces•ion being formed, it bereft to move in the following
order, at :i:o minutes past three o'clock :
o.e:hundred Gentlemen on horseback.
Horse Trumpeters. .
A nnmerons party of the Rosed Horse Gnards. •
Six Royal Carriages, the .t.!rvants with white cockades; an
outrider to each carriage.
A party of the Royal Horse Guards.
Lastly came the State Carriage, in which were the King of France,
the Pr'nee Regent, the Duchess Dc Anytime, the
Prince De Conde, the Duke 1)c Bourbon'
and surmounted by the Royal Standard of England.
An officer of the Royal Horse Guards rode at each window, and n
numerous party of horse closed the procession.
Though, from sonic changes in the atraugements, it became
generally known in the morning, that the train could not reach
1 town till between five anti six o'clock, such was the impatience of
the multitude, that the principle avenuea were crowded from noon.
But this multitude was taut the mere populace ; persons of the firs;
distinction lined the road with their equipages ; and perhaps not
the least delighttid and admirable part ofthe day's exhibition was tat'
be fbund among the spectators. The day was fine, a temperate
sun, a summer air, a sky alinost without a cloud : wherever the eye
I ;alteed it fell on splendour and hcaity, attitudes and countenances
1 of ranked
and joy. From Albemarle-street tc the Park wit: al-
most one mass of cart iages, with females of the first fashion • tam!.
' jug on the seats. Every balcony and window in that stately range
of buildings was full, waving with the Boerbou flag or wreathe 4
with white. About one o'clock a troop of the Lite Guards took
their stand opposite-Pultnev Hotel, with the baud of the reginteuti.
' This spot attracted an unusual concourse.
From noon the gates of the park had been, by a very proper pre-
caution, shut to carriages, and the people had room to wander with-
out fear. The road to Cumberland ga-te-was thick set on both sidee
with every rank and age. Park-lane was equally fail, mid donble
and triple lines of carriages were drawn up whOrever the inenvals is
1
' the railing admitted a view. The pressure at Cimilealined-g.ce
was excessive, however obviated by the patroles of peace offieeri.
which were on duty-there as at all the other gates. ' It would 100%
like exaegeration to attempt to calculate the numbers that formed
the cordon down the Paddington and Edgware roads : but the num-
ber was, even less astonishing, than the decency, the harmless wel
well ordered eteltatiou, the evidence of wealth, and the native
ibeauty. .
About four miles from Own the precession met the line of veld-
! des which preserved even so far a warty unbroken continuity.
iThe villas on each side were decorated, scaffoldings raised, and
even the trees hung with the flag of the lilies. As it advanced.
couriers were dispatched to amemice its approach. At half-past.
five it entered the Park by Cumbarlatal-gate. On its opening out
into Piccadilly- the whole view was eminently striking. From the
ascent near tite. Green Park the total pump lay under the eye ;
' and the combination of military splendour, stately movement, and
countless multitude, gave a coup d'teil of unrivalled richness, in-
terest, and variety. A troop of gentlemen on horseback, with
white cockades, led tho way. The carriages followed, escorted by
detachments of the Life Guards. A strong body of the 14th Light
Dragoons and London Volunteer Horse brought up the rear. The
ceremonial moved slowly on, impeded by the eagerness of the mill-
i titede ; and when it at last conveyed the Monarch to his homet
I the about was
" Loud as from numbers without number ;
" Rich, as from blest voices tat teringjoy."
When his Majesty entered Grillon's Hotel, in Albemarle-street.
he had hold of the rrhee's arm, who conducted him to the prie-
, cipai apartment prepared for the French Monarch, /Jews delis
boa% embroidered in gold upon haugings of efiLUNIU velvet. I