with him the Hon. Mr. Bligh, and Messrs. Mandeville, Gore, Abercrombie,
and Jones. Sir George Naylor, in his Tabard, was accompanied by a cloud
of heralds, some of whom have since become kings-of-arms--namely,
Messrs. Woods, Young, and Wollaston, and his secretary, Mr. Howard.
More noticeable men followed in the train. There were Earl Gower and
Lord Burghersh, the “Honorables” Mr. Townshend, Howard, and Clive,
Captain Buller, and two men more remarkable than all the rest--the
two embassadors included--namely, Sir John Malcolm and Sir Sidney
Smith. Between admiring spectators, who were profoundly amazed at the
sight of the duke in his robes, the procession arrived at the palace,
where, after a pause and a reorganizing in the Hall of Embassadors,
the party proceeded in great state into the Gallery of Diana. Here
a throne had been especially erected for the investiture, and the
show was undoubtedly most splendid. Charles X. looked in possession
of admirable health and spirits--of everything, indeed, but bright
intellect. He was magnificently surrounded. The duke wore with his
robes that famous diamond-hilted sword which had been presented to him
by George IV., and which cost, I forget how many thousand pounds. His
heron’s plume alone was said to be worth five hundred guineas. His
superb mantle of blue velvet, embroidered with gold, was supported by
his youthful nephew, George Murray (the present Duke of Athol), dressed
in a Hussar uniform, and the Hon. James Drummond, in a Highland suit.
Seven gentlemen had the responsible mission of carrying the insignia on
cushions, and Sir George preceded them, bearing a truncheon, as “Garter
Principal King-at-arms.” The duke recited an appropriate address,
giving a concise history of the order, and congratulating himself on
having been employed on the present honorable mission. The investiture
took place with the usual ceremonies; but I remember that there was
no salute of artillery, as was enjoined in the book of instructions
drawn up by Garter. The latter official performed his office most
gracefully, and attached to the person of the King of France, that day,
pearls worth a million of francs. The royal knight made a very pleasant
speech when all was concluded, and the usual hospitality followed the
magnificent labors of an hour and a half’s continuance.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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