“I have not got any cold or mischief from the coronation, at half
an hour after four I got into the coach, went by Fulham to Lambeth,
from whence I crossed the water in a boat which landed me at the
cofferer’s office, where I was to see the Show. I had a perfect
view of the procession to and from Westminster to the Abbey, and
I must say it rather exceeded my expectation. The ladies made a
glorious appearance; whenever there was any beauty of countenance
or shape or air they were all heightened by the dress. Lady Talbot
was a fine figure. The Queen, being very little, did not appear to
advantage. The King had all the impressions of decent satisfaction
and good-natured joy in his face; looked about him with great
complacency, and tried to make himself as visible as he could to
the mob, but the canopy carried over his Majesty’s head and the
persons who carried his train made him not so conspicuous. His
behaviour at the Abbey pleased much. It was perfectly dark before
the Procession returned from the Abbey, so we lost the second view.
I got into a barge which I hired for 7_s._ 6_d._, and got to the
coach which waited at Yorke buildings. Mr. Botham and his daughters
are just gone. Lord Lyttelton was near fainting away just as the
procession set out from the Hall, and was obliged to sit down
and take drops till a chair could be got to carry him home. Lady
Albemarle fainted presently after. Lord Grantham was ill, but able
to go thro’ the ceremony.
“The early hour the Peers and Peeresses are forced to rise at and
the weight of their robes and all the whole affair is fatiguing,
but they make a good figure, for there is something very majestick
in the dress.
“I believe my Lord Bath will come down to us about Wednesday or
perhaps Tuesday. I shall be at Sandleford on Monday.”
[Page heading: HIS MAJESTY’S BEHAVIOUR]
In another letter describing the coronation to Mrs. Carter, Mrs.
Montagu says--
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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