The Statesman.
London, England, 1818-04-30 00:00:00

th'Airk§iviAi4i:

VISIT OP Bali MAJESTY To rte CITY.

We noticed yesterday her Majesty's proceeding
into the City.
It had been publicly announced that the dean of
the Mansion-house were not to be opened until half-
pest 12 o'clock, bat such was the anxiety of those
who had obtained tickets of admission, and so in•
creased was the multitude, that the doors were
literally besieged, and long before the appointed time
an entrance was found indispensible to personal
safety. The crush upon opening the doors was ex-
cessive, and many of the moat elegant females were
overcome. Lady Sylvester, who was one of the first
to arrive, was so pressed, as to have nearly fainted.
Her Ladyship was, however, relieved by one of the
Marshalmen. Soon after 12 o'clock, every seat al-
lotted to the holders of tickets, except such as had
been issued for the hustings, were occupied. Fifteen
hundred was the number said to be distributed, but
two thousand persons at least, by the time mentioned,
had entered the Mansion-house, end the pressure in-
creasing, it was found necessary to stop the admis-
sions, unless ender very particular circumstances,
until further accommodation could be made. For
this purpose every exertion was resorted to, but not-
withstanding, hundreds were obliged to yield to the
mortification of being shut out.
In the Egyptian-hall a small chair of state was
plaegd in front of the hustings for the Queen, as also
chairs on either side for the other branches of the
Royal Family and their immediate attendants. This
division of the hustings was carpeted, and covered
over with thick scarlet cloth. Three other divisions
were made behind for the reception of the Ladies of
'the Nobility and persons of dituiection, the Alder.
men and their Ladies, and other City characters.—
The north, south, and west ranges of the Hall, ex-
tending some distance without the pillars, were fitted
up with elevated benches fur the Subscribers to the
Schools and the Ticket-holders.
The centre of the Hall, which formed a square
area, was set apart for the exhibition of the children,
and about one o'clock the latter entered the room,

preceded by the Rev. Mr. Ilesketh, Secretary to the
London National Schools. Their appearance re-
cited the most lively feelings, and the admirable order
in which, as they entered, they formed themselves
into a solid square, produced astonishment. The
number, composed of males and females, which
could thus be accommodated, were at least 1000.
About half-post one the arrival of her Majesty was
announced. The Queen and her suite, and other
branches of the Royal Family, entered at the western
door of the Mansion-house, and were conducted t•
the receiving-room by the Lord Mayor and Lady
Mayoress, Lady S) Nester, and other personages ep.
pointed to receive tbern. Shortly before two the great
state dour of the Fey ptian.hall was thrown open,
and the entrance of her Majesty announced. The
Aldermen and other City Officers having rouged
themselves on either side, the Karl of Morton, Col.
Disbrowe, end others of her Majesty's attendants,
ascended the hustings. The Queen immediately fol-
lowed, the whole of the assembly bowing as she en-
tered. Iler Majesty was led to her seat by the Lord
Mayor, and her entrance was succeeded by those of
the Princess Augusta and the Princess of Hesse-
Homburg, the Duke and Duchess of York, the Duke
of Kent, and the Prince of Hesse-Homburg.
The Reverend Mr. liesketh, and the other
offitiating Gentlemen of the Institution having
made the necessary arrangements, the nomina-
tion of the children► commenced. After a hymn
had been sung, appropriate to the occasion, two
boys, monitors, read the prayers in • . singular
impressive manner, and in which her Majesty and
the other branches of the Royal family, joined the
children with fervency. These being concluded, the
whole of the schools departed in the order in which
they entered the hall, and being arranged in classes
they again entered successively, and exhibited in the
most extraordinary manner the results of the instruc-
tion they had received. Spelling, reading, maulers.
tion ; an acquaintance with the Catechism, and the
knowledge of the Holy Scriptures were the principal
subjects upon which the children were examined.
The Queen, during the examination, listened with
much gratification, while she also read and compared
the various propositions pot to the children. The
female part of the school exhibited a variety of needle.
work, in figures, curious samplers, &c. These de.
lighted her Majesty much, and aided by the Princess
Augusta and the Princess of Hesse-Homburg, she
took much pains in their inspection. Throughout
the interesting scene the Queen frequently con-
versed with the A►chbishop of Canterbury, the
Bishops of London, Chester, &c. who explained the
proceeding' and the system of the Schools. The
Rev. Mr. Hesketh and another Divine, who en.
mined the children, were particularly addressed by
her Majesty, who ezpressed her entire gratification
and satisfaction at the result of their philanthropic
labours. The classes having been gone through, the
whole of the children were again marched into the
hall, and upon a signal prayers were again read.—
After the Veni Creator had been pronounced, the
children► rose and sung God save the King, in which
also her Majesty joined. The following lines were
added: --

Then as the strain we raise,
Which our tad Fathers' praise,
still love; on breathe:
Mother of Briiasa, thou
Wilt Dot disdain the .ow;
But let tby Re' tle brow
Grace the lair wreath.
Look, where these little bond,
Ble-v with their helpless hands
That brow serene!
Kitally approve, while we
Bid their pure Infancy
Li-p Guth its pra‘er for thee,
God blew the Queen.
The Lord Mayor then came forward and address-
ed the little flock, espressing his gratification to see
so great a number of the rising generation in 'loch a
state of improvement, and learnieg the ways of eter-
nal life, a source of delight to every feeling heart
enhanced and sanctioned by the appearance and smiles
of Royally. His Lordship impressed on their young
minds a sense of the honour which had that day been
done them, caressed his hope that it would. ave a
proper influence on their future conduct,d in-
formed them that, as a reward for their good beha-
viour, he had ordered a small sum of money to be dis.
tributed among them. Sispeoce woo immediately
Ova to each of the scholars.

The Queen now rose and conversed freely with
several distingoishitd charecteri. Among these Who
particularly engaged her attention, was the benevo-
lent Mrs. Fry, who leaned open the arm of Mr. Al-
derman Wood. This scene withd unbounded gra-
tification. Nor were• the other branches of the
Royal Family less ioteteSted in the business of the
day.
The Prince of Hesse-Homburg was throughout a
most amain, and interesting attendant, and frequent-
ly made enquiries as to the stature of the proceedings.
A little African boy, not more than seven years of
age, was a peculiar object of notice with his Serene
Highness, as well as her Majesty.
Shortly before five o'clock her Majesty left the,
Hall, and the Royal Party were ushered into the
Lord Mayor's principal State Room, where en die-
gent collation, consisting of every delicacy, and a
profusion of choice wines, were prepared for their
refreshment. After remaining nearly an hoot, the
Royal Cavalcade returned westward, and was greeted
with load huzzas on its progress.