Gossip in the First Decade of Victoria's ReignAshton, John
History
Gossip in the First Decade of Victoria's Reign
Ashton, John
Great Britain -- Social life and customs -- 19th century
The interior of the Guildhall was “exceeding magnifical.” There was a
canopy of carved gilt, with draperies of crimson velvet and gold fringe
and tassels, its interior, being also of crimson velvet, was relieved by
ornaments in silver and a radiated oval of white satin with golden rays.
The back was fluted in white satin, enriched with the Royal Arms in
burnished gold. The State chair was covered with crimson velvet with the
Royal Arms and Crown, with the rose, thistle and shamrock tastefully
interwoven.
At each end of the Hall, the walls were covered with immense plates of
looking-glass. The window at the eastern end of the Hall, above the
throne, having been removed, a gigantic wooden framework was substituted,
on which was erected a gorgeous piece of gas illumination. Above the
mouldings of the windows, and over the City Arms, waved the Royal
Standard and the Union Jack. Above was the Royal cypher, V.R., in very
large characters, surmounted by the appropriate word “Welcome,” the whole
being encircled by an immense wreath of laurels, which terminated, at the
lower extremity of the framework, with the rose, thistle and shamrock.
Over the clock at the western end, and reaching nearly the whole breadth
of the Hall, with Gog and Magog on the right and left, was placed an
immense stack of armour, with upwards of 30 furled flags as an
appropriate background. Immediately above was the magnificently radiated
star of the Order of the Garter, surrounded by crimson drapery, and the
scroll “God save the Queen” entirely composed of cut glass, which, when
lit up, seemed, literally, one continued blaze of diamonds. The whole
was surmounted by the imperial crown and wreaths of laurel, intermingled
with the rose, thistle and shamrock, covering the entire outline of the
window. Where, formerly, was the musicians’ gallery, on the opposite
side, was occupied by three stacks of armour; complete coats of mail
were, likewise, suspended in other parts of the Hall; two knights in
complete armour guarded the entrance of the Hall and Council Chamber,
which latter was fitted up for the Queen’s reception room, and hung
throughout with crimson fluted cloth, finished with gold mouldings and
festoons of red and white flowers. Upon a platform stood a chair of
state, splendidly gilt and covered with crimson velvet, and there was no
other chair nor seat of any kind in the apartment. The Queen’s
retiring-room was the Aldermen’s Court, and was superbly decorated,
having a magnificent toilet table covered with white satin, embroidered
with the initials V.R., a crown and wreath in gold, and looped with gold
silk rope and tassels.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account