The grandest entertainment provided for Christian was his state visit to the City of London. The Lord Mayor with the aldermen and sheriffs, all in their robes, set out in coaches from the Guildhall for the Three Cranes, where they embarked at eleven o'clock in the morning on board the city state barge, "the streamers flying, a select band of water-music playing, and the principal livery companies attending in their respective barges," to Westminster, where they awaited the arrival of Christian from St. James's Palace. The King came punctually, and as he set foot on the city barge a royal salute was fired, and loud cheers rent the air from the vast crowds of people who lined the banks on either side, thronged the bridges, and crowded the river on innumerable craft. The procession glided down the Thames to the Temple Stairs. "During the course of this grand passage on the water his Majesty frequently expressed himself highly pleased, and his admiration of the several great and beautiful objects round him; and sometimes condescended to come forward in order to gratify the curiosity of the people, who eagerly fought to get a sight of his royal person, though at the hazard of their lives."[103] Arrived at the Temple Stairs the King landed, took his seat in the Lord Mayor's coach, and proceeded to the Mansion House. The streets through which he passed were gaily decorated, and crowded "with an innumerable populace, while the windows and tops of houses were equally crowded with spectators of both sexes, whose acclamations, together with the ringing of bells, and the shouts of the multitude, loudly expressed their joy at his Majesty's presence; his Majesty expressed his surprise at the populousness of this city, and his satisfaction at the kindness of the citizens".[104] [103] _The Annual Register._ [104] _Ibid._