The Sun.
London, England, 1838-07-01 00:00:00

THE NAVE.

The great body of the general spectators were congregated
in the Nave, along the sides of which galleries were con-
structed arranged in an amphitheatrical form, with ten rows
of benches, rising above one another, and calculated to hold
at least 1,500 persons. Very shortly after five o'clock, the
hour at which the Abbey was opened, these galleries began
rapidly to fill, and by seven o'clock were crowded.. The
spectacle presented by this vast audience was very striking.
The diversified colours of the different dresses, Naval and
Military Officers in their respective uniform!, Clergymen in
canonical robes, Civilians in endless variety -of apparel—from
the most orthodox full dress, to the ordinary every-day gar-
ments (for the regulations as to full dress were by no means
enforced, though none were to be seen who were not well
attired)—and above all, the countless hues which -marked the
dresses of the fair—all combined to render the scene at once
picturesque and pleasing. The patience of these spectators
was to be severely tried by a six hours' delay.; but there were
not wanting numerous objects to divert their attention and wile
away the tedious interval. Those more distinguished personages
4.h0 bad scats in the choir had of course to pass up the nave, to
reach their various destinations, and were a source of perpetually
changing attraction. Now, a Judge of the land, with slow
and legal step, paced the floor • then, a Pea of the Realm,
arrayed in coronation robes of crimson velvet, edged with
ermine, and coronet in hand, not unfrequently with a real and
unassumed dignity of port and bearing that forcibly reminded
us of the " Knights and Barons bold" of by-gone ages ; and
led us for a moment to believe that "the age of chivalry" had
not yet fled : noon, still more attractive, came some Noble
dame—her splendid flowing train spreading around her in
luxurious magnificence, her fair and lofty brow bearing the
impress of nobility, followed perhaps by some " lovely daugh-
ters of a noble house," not unworthy of their titled ancestors ;
officers, " in all the pomp and,pride of glorious war;" bishops
and aldermen, pursuivants, gentlemen-at-arms passing in
quick succession. Between seven and eight companies of
Foot Guards arrived and lined the hall. Many of the Foreign
Ambassadors now arrived.; and the novelty and richness of
their dresses excited great admiration, not, however, equal to
that which was awakened by the appearance of some of the
younger branches of the female aristocracy, who as they tripped
lightly along the hall, seemed incarnations of loveliness and
grace, their beauty needing not the aid of the costly gems that
glittered around their persons.
The Attorney-General came in his official costume as first
Law-officer of the Crown; accompanied byhis Noble consort,
the Lady Stratheden, in her robes as Peeress. One Noble

Peer came attended by a little child of such remarkable
beauty as attracted universal .observation, as Page, carrying
his coronet. About half-past _nine a cheer was heard outside,
which announced the arrival .of some distinguished person ;
and a few minutes after his race the Duke of Wellington
entered. His appearance was ; Treeted by an enthusiastic shout
of applause. The Marquis of ii lormanby (late Earl Mulgrave)
was received in a similar mans .er. Shortly after eleven the
Special Envoys from Foreign Powers began to arrive. The
magnificence of their dresses, ok nd that. of their suites, were
greatly admired. Marshal Soul t was most cordially cheered.
Their Royal Highnesses the Di achesses of Cambridge and
Kent were enthusiastically received, especially the latter.
Their Royal Highnesses the Dul es of Sussex and Cambridge
met with as hearty a receptioin . As the Royal procession
slowly wound its way between it he lofty aisles, the spectacle
presented was one as gorgeous as d impressive as anything that
could well be imagined. When her most gracious Majesty
came within sight the vast au: die ace simultaneously rose, and
a shout " loud as from nui .irs without number," rung
through the venerable arches of the Abbey, and was re-echoed
by the multitudes without, tc istifying in sincere and heartfelt
tones the loyalty and affectir on with which the youthful and
august monarch of these rea tins was regarded by her thou-
sands of assembled subjects. Her Majesty, as she walked up
the nave, displayed perfect : ic.lf-possession, returning. the en-
thusiastic greetings with whi..:h she was received in a manner
marked by that union of gentie ness and dignity so characte-
ristic of her Majesty. Her May 'sty was immediately preceded
by Lord Melbourne, and the D. uke of Wellington (as Con-
stable of the Tower)—a eircult., istance which was remarked
by the spectators, and elicited no slight applause. On her
Majesty's entering the Choir thy.- cheering was again renewed,
end was indeed only put a stop to' by the opening of the Co..
ronation Anthem.
The Great Officers of State, the Archbishops of Canter.
bury and York, the Noblern sn ippointed to carry the Regalia,
all in their robes of estate, rind the Bishops who were to sup-
port her Majesty, as well as those who were to carry the Bible,
the Chalice, and the Path la, assembled in the Jerusalem
Chamber, adjoining the Dcianery, before ten o'clock, where
the Regalia/ having been previously laid on the table, was
delivered by the Lord Claaamb erlain of the Household to the
Lord High Constable, and by him to the Lord Willoughby
4.'Eresby, as Lord Great Chanqoerlain, and by his Lordship
the Noblemen by whom the same were borne in the follow-
ing order, viz.:—