The Sun.
London, England, 1831-08-02 00:00:00

THE BRIDGE.

The new✓ bridge presented a scene of gaiety and splen-
dour that far surpassed any spectacle we were prepared to
witness.

The preparations made for the reception of their Ma-
*ties, and of those distinguished individuals who corn.
posed the Royal suite on this occasion, were conducted
upon a scale of the most liberal and of the most tasteful
magnificence. An awning was thrown half-way over the
bridge. On the London side of •the bridge, adjacent to the
site of the Old Fishmongers'-hall, was erected a splendid
pavilion. This position was allotted to their Majesties, to
the Royal suite, to the civic authorities, and to others, the
more distinguished of the company. It was in all respects
-worthy of the purposes for which it was designed. Con-
streon standards that had formerly waved oifiri‘the
,IN I
OPEr almost every civilized rition in the woe. its I
d eiriiAlPits - ' • 4v.01e.0f an equally- striking autOprinceltilah
racter. ' .Tlse breadth. of it was c -extensive with thgtf
Ole bridge itself. .4§..form was -angtrktr, and at` tle3
nit
four corners were.pJaked, neon iseti _ broad pedestal's
groups of men iji rarion_ri: which jrac em extremely ipic.s
turesque and agrualile'effec.t, _.The;pjllats which Sup-
ported the Iloyall'azilitiyAveiqiidtsrp.Edwith flags, shields;
helmets, and massive sv4rds. Their Arvlies' seats were
beneath a gorgeous'cariort of state—of crimson cloth—
the back of which witia 'orined of plate glass. To the
right and left of this, catirpy were places for the
Members of the R .:Tasiiily, the Ministers,
and many of the nob' • dim the ends of this,
the principal table, 't ' t angles to it, ran
two other narrow tab cow w .ere reserved for
the civic authorities and Al pc Parliament. No
other tables were placed in the eel 1.-,',avilion, and thus
.a large open space was presery in front of their Majes-
ties, whose'iiew of the whole of the company under the
awning was free and unobstructed, except by the drapery
which formed the front of the tent. From this pavilion
the awning extended along the narrow part of the bridge
to the distance of about five hundred feet. On'.
either side there were tables for ithe guests. Trese
tables were tilled with gaily and elegiNtly dressed cpM.'-*
pany, of which the female part was perhaps more:l4-1
merous than usual ; and we need hardly observe, MeV
this was a feature in the festivity which must confer ad-
ditional eclat and interest on any spectacle. .On that part
of the bridge which was not covered, the only ornaments
consisted of large flags, and these were placed at so short
a distance from each other, that when they gave their
swelling canvass to the wind they nearly touched.
Many of them were more signal flags, but there
were, besides, the standards which wave over the palaces
of all the great Powers in the world. Our own national
colours floated inure proudly and conspicuously than the
rest. Besides, however, the glorious flag of old England,
we noticed the black eagles of Russia and of Prussia, the
keys and mitre of the Pope, the rich emblazoned
shields of Venice, of the King of the two Sicilics,
and of Spain, the flag of America, and the colours of the
Trinity House.
Upon the whole the bridge presented a scene of surpass-
ing grandeur.
The coup d'ccil from the bridge was of a novel and
striking character. On the river, between London-bridge
and Southwark-bridge, there was formed, by the gilded
and glittering barges belonging to the city companies, and
by numbers of private vessels, from the lightest wherries
up to the most unwieldly barges, an avenue, of which the
acted occa-
sion
the
regularity was carefully preserved by naval officers, who
rowingas
police,abouta
preventing
in
an
avenue was composed, from being broken, and turning
back every boat which, after a certain hour, attempted to
make its way through or across the avenue. This was an
adinir& le arrangement, and the most certain means that
two
lines, upon
of
whichtltis
could have been devised of obviating accidents. With the
exception of this avenue, every part of the river's bold and
extensive sweep was crowded with vessels, that were laden
as heavily as possible with spectators. So thickly crowded
were the vessels, that scarcely a timber of them was vi-
sible. Men, women, and children were seen hanging in
dense clusters on every side. One, scarcely perceived what
the machines were which bore them upon the face of the
water. The river presented in all respects the appearance
of an oppressively crowded street; and but for the rippling
of the water and the contrast which the space that was
preserved for the. Royal procession afforded to the scene on
either side, one would have been lid to believe that the
motley and thickly studded groups which were seen from
the bridge, had really their position terra firma. The
houses,ers
rivers, filled also in every part with spectators.
Erheit
a the of twheernei ,
at
learnt surroundedas m aonly in
womenm oasst
me aesn.
e s
w
narrow deal railing, were covered with people,
amongwhich there
The neighbouring churches, too, were crowded in every
part to which it was possible for a man to crawl. In a
word, whichever way the eye glanced, it encompa.ssed in
with
ros
e of e
its view thousands of human beings. Every vessel, even
to the smallest and most insignificant boat, was decorated
with colour', and among all the gorgeous spectacles which
old Father Thames has witnessed, this, perhaps, was the
most splendid. The company began to assemble en the
bridge at about twelve o'clock, and, until the arrival of
their Majesties, they were entertained by a military band,
by the German minstrels, by the celebrated Siffleur, and
by that still more celebrated performer, who has demon-
strated his independence of all musical instrument-makers
by playing tunes upon his chin with his fists. This last
is no ordinary accomplishment, and one would be at a loss
to imagine how Michael Boai hit upon it, if one did not
recollect that wilco Baron Alunchausen had a quarrel
with flint and steel, he used to strike a light by hitting
himself in the eye.

Shortly after four o'clock the loud and general cheering
from the river gave signal of their Majesties approach.--
Every body rushed to the side of the bridge. A royal
salute was fired from the brig stationed off Southwark
Bridge, the shouts from the people on the river increased, the
bells of the churches struck up a merry peal, and in a few
minutes the foremost of the Royal barges was discovered
making their way through the centre arch of Southwark
Bridg'.

Their Majesties proceeded to the, top of the stairs with-
out resting, although sofas had teen placed on the landing-
places for the use of their Majesties
,•in case they should
feel themselves fatigued with the long ascent. His Ma-
jesty walked up the tremendous flightrof steps without the
slightest appearance of fatigue. Upon reaching the top of
the stairs, the sword and keys of the city were tendered to
his Majesty by the Lord Mayor. His Majesty was gra-
ciously pleased to return them to the Lord Mayor, and to
signify his wish that they should remain in his Lordships'
hands. The chairman of the committee then presentee'
his Majesty with a gold medal, commemorative of the
opening of the bridge, having on one side an impression of
the King's head, and, on the reverse, a well-executed view
of the new bridge, with the dates of the present ceremony,
and of the laying of the first stone.
It is impossible to give any notion by description of the
enthusiastic cheering which accompanied their Majestic s
from Southwark bridge to the landing-place at London.
bridge.

The stairs on the London side of the bridge had been
covered with crimson cloth, and at the bottom of these
stairs their Majesties were received with all the formalities

1 which are " made and provided " upon the occasion
Royal visits to the city. The king was handed out of hi.
barge by Mr. Routh, who gave his Majesty his arm.
Mr. Jones, too, as chairman of the "New London-bridg.
Committee," was patent to receive bet Majesty on bet
landing. Upon stepping ttshore. tho King addressed then l
gentlemen in the following wottl-. t ---" Mr. Jones and
Mr. Routh, I am very glad to see you on London-bridge
It is certainly a most beautiful edifice; and the apeetacle
is the grandest and the mast delightful in every respect that
I ever had the pleasure to witness." His Majesty thee
paused to survey the scene around him. At this moment
the air was rent with the most deafening cheers from al;
sides, and the King, taking off his hat, acknowledged this
hearty greeting of his subjects by repeeted bows.
As soon as these formalities were completed, and the
whole of the royal party had asseml.led in the P.itilion.
their Majesties proceeded to the end of the bridge amidst
that most grateful music to Monarch' ears, the enthu-
siastic plaudits of a people. Their M tjestka were at-
tended by their Royal Highnesses the Dukes of Cumber-
land and Sussex, and by the principal Members of the
Royal Family. The offioers of the Royal Household,
nearly all the Ministers, and a vast number of the nobi-
lity, and of the Members of the House of Commons,
composed the Royal procession. Among these were Sir
Robert Peel and his lady. The Right Hon. Baronet sea‘
extremely ill-received by some of the company, who gave
a tolerably intelligible expression of their opinion of his
late conduct by hissing him. In going to and returning
from the Surrey end of the bridge, their Majesties threw
medals to the spectators on each side of them.
As soon as it was announced that their Majesties were
approaching the bridge, Mr. Green had caused his bal-
loon to be filled, and just as the Royal procession had
reached the Surrey side of the bridge, Mr. Green, with
a Mr. Crawshay fur his companion, made his ascent.—
Their Majesties were quite close to the aeronauts when
they ascended, and appeared to take much interest in this
part of the entertainments with which their presence was
celebrated.
His Majesty's progreo6 in on nd of le bridge to the
other was, we suppose, .derellas ti oßening of the
M n bridge. Ells Majesty sho hi f rom the parapets
on either side the bridge to the mbled tpultitudes
„iiw
below, and was evidently much struc . by the appear-
anct which the river presented. A hearty burst of cheers
fronirlhe river welcou/ed the King as often as he showed
hirlilleplqfter the conclusion of this ceremony, their ALl-
jestissliiditke royal suite returned to the Pavilion, where
a celliltitin was la4llbut. A simi,ar repast was served
up up, ths guests- elf-all...the other tables. This banquet
was conducted upon a 4641 e of profuseness that was
remarkabl; even in civic fets, which, as every body
knows, are notorious, even to a proverb, for their magni-
ficent dig ay of abundance of good things. The wine,
which' s extremely good, flowed more freely even than
the teeste, desired ; and although caterers for the palate
work at mmilit_Vadvantage when their inventive powers
have only coldriliterials to work upon, yet Mr. Leech of
therAtondon Clouse, who furnished this collation,
irsived himsel an artiste of no ordinary stamp.
>, At the Royal table the principal guests were thus
plfeed. On the tight of the King were seated the Duchess
,of Gloucester, the Duke of Sussex, the Duchess of Cam-
bridge, the Duchess of Saxe-Weimar, and Prince George
of Cumberland. On the left of his Majesty sat the Duke
and Duchess of Cumberland, and Prince George of Cam-
b-idge. Mr. Jones was in attendance behind the King's
chair, and Mr. Routh stood behind that of the Queen.
The remainder of the tables in the Pavilion were filled with
the othAlAdistinguished guests, and the effect of the scene
wss now imated and splendid in the highest degree.
As 4 their Majesties bad concluded their repast,
The an M a rose to drink his Majesty's health.
i
" His Most Gra is Majesty," said the Lord Mayor,
" has condescende o permit me to propose a toast. I
therefore do my ' the high honour to propose that we
drink his 3 acious Majesty's health with four times

four."
The col
thuliritg!

Vow, and after cheering in the most en-
.; sang the national anthem of " God save

•-9 • HialMalestty bowed to all round, and appeared to be
TottiM pleased.
Sir C. S. HusurEa then rose and said, " I am honoured
with the permission of his Majesty to propose a toast. I
therefore beg all his good subjects here assembled to rise
and to drink that " health and every blessing may attend
her Majesty the Queen.'"
The Loan MAYOR then presented a gold cup of great
beauty to the King, who said, taking the cup, " I cannot
but refer on this occasion to the great work which has been
accomplished by the citizens of London. The city of Lon-
don has been renowned for its magnificent improvements,
and we are commemorating a most extraordinary instance
of their skill and talent. I shall propose the source from
whence this vast improvement sprung, The trade and
commerce of the city of London.'"
The King then drank of what is called the loving cup,
of which every other member of the Hord Family partook.
His Majesty next drank the health of the Lord Mayor
and the Lady Mayoress, and
His LORDSHIP, in a few words expressive of the deepest
gratitude, thanked his Majesty.
Soon after this toast was drunk the King rose, it being
near six o'clock, and, bowing to the company, intimated
his intention to bid farewell. The Chairman of the Com-
mittee and Mr. Routh, and the whole of the Committee,
followed the King to the Royal barge. his Majesty
again expressed his high satisfaction at the grand scene
presented to his view, and at the whole of the occurrences
of the day.

Thus concluded one of the most gorgeous festivals that
has occurred for some time past in the annals of the me-
tropolis, and if his Majesty were to gladden his
good citizens by honouring them with his presence
to dinner in Guildhall, their cup of joy would be full
to the very brim. William the Fourth, however, has
given abundant testimony that he finds pleasure in the
company of his subjects. The circumstances of the two
past reigns, some of which were mischievous and some un-
fortunate, had rendered the people of this country, until
the happy accession of his present Majesty, unused to the
sight of their Monarch. It is gratifying at once to the
subject and to the Prince that such a system has been
broken in upon. A King who travels in a close carriage
with the lightning's speed, and whose approach is an-
nounced only by half a dozen Lancers, cannot expect that
his subjects will care any more about him personally than
they do about the Great Mogul, or that they will take any
more interest in his movements than they take in the pro-
gresses of the same potentate. But a King who mixes
with his people, and who participates in their enjoyments,
not only gratifies them, but interests them in his personal
happiness ; and such a course, too, affords to the Prince
the pleasure of hearing the frequent and hearty expression
of the people's loyalty from the people's own lips, wherein
there is, at least, too much of bluntness for flattery to
find a place there.
At six o'clock their Majesties re.embarked, amidst the
same loud cheering, firing of artillery, ringing of bells, and
the other marks of respect which had marked their pro-
gress down. The procession had a more imposing appear-
ance on its return, in consequence of its being joined by
several of the city barges, including that of the Lord
Mayor. The same excellent arrangements, which were
observed in the early part of the day, were followed up in
the disembarkation at Somerset stairs, in which not the
slightest disorder or confusio❑ occurred. Their Majesties,
on landing, were loudly cheered as before. In going along
the platform, her Majesty, who leant on the King's arm,
turned round repeatedly and Lowed to the surrounding mul-
titudes. Ilis nrjesty remained uncovered the whole of the
way along the platform. The cheering at this time was
immense. In a few moments after their arrival at So-
merset-house, the Royal party entered their carriages, and
returned to the Palace escorted in the same way as on
setting out. The cheers as their Majesties passed along
the Strand were loud and continued. The Duke of Sussex
was also loudly cheered on his way to and from Somerset-
house.

The weather throughout the day was most favourable,
for part of the day the sun shone wi.h great power, but
there was a cool breeze which greatly moderated the heat.
Towards evening it became agreeably cool, with some
slight rain, but this did not commence till some time after
the procession bad returned to the Palace. Considering
the immense assemblage on the river and its bank+, we are
happy to say, that we heard of few accidents, and only one
of a fatal nature, that of a young man who was pushed off
a wharf at Bankside and was drowned, though only a very
short time in the water. Three men were taken into
custody charged with having pushed the man in. No
other serious accident occurred that we have heard of:
Soon after the return of the procession, the crowds on the
several bridges quietly scpara,ed, apparently much ratified
at the festivity of the day. At nine o'clock the I:arriers
on old London-bridge were removed, and it was again
opened to the public.

It has been lately stated that two great per-
sonages, in order the better to defeat the Reform Bill,
have " shaken hands." We lear❑ from Holy Writ, that
when the High Church party of Jerwalem had a great ob-
ject to gain, a similar accident occurred,—" And the same
day Pilate and Herod were male friends together, for be•
fore they were at enmity between them-elves."—Dublin
Morniny Revistcr.