London and Its Environs Described, vol. 4 (of 6): Containing an Account of Whatever is Most Remarkable for Grandeur, Elegance, Curiosity or Use, in the City and in the Country Twenty Miles Round ItAnonymous
History
London and Its Environs Described, vol. 4 (of 6): Containing an Account of Whatever is Most Remarkable for Grandeur, Elegance, Curiosity or Use, in the City and in the Country Twenty Miles Round It
Anonymous
London (England) -- Description and travel -- Early works to 1800; London (England) -- Gazetteers -- Early works to 1800
Thence she proceeded to Grace church corner, where was erected a very
magnificent pageant, at the expence of the company of Anseatic
Merchants, in which was represented Mount Parnassus, with the fountain
of Helicon, of white marble, out of which arose four springs about four
feet high, centering at the top in a small globe, from which issued
plenty of Rhenish wine till night. On the Mount sat Apollo, at his feet
was Calliope, and beneath were the rest of the Muses, surrounding the
Mount, and playing upon a variety of musical instruments, at whose feet
were inscribed several epigrams suitable to the occasion, in letters of
gold.
Her Majesty then proceeded to Leadenhall, where stood a pageant,
representing a hill encompassed with red and white roses; and above it
was a golden stump, upon which a white falcon, descending from above,
perched, and was quickly followed by an angel, who put a crown of gold
upon his head. A little lower on the hilloc sat St. Anne, surrounded by
her progeny, one of whom made an oration, in which was a wish that her
Majesty might prove extremely prolific.
The procession then advanced to the conduit in Cornhill; where the
Graces sat enthroned, with a fountain before them incessantly
discharging wine; and underneath, a Poet, who described the qualities
peculiar to each of these amiable deities, and presented the Queen with
their several gifts.
The cavalcade thence proceeded to a great conduit that stood opposite to
Mercers Hall in Cheapside, and, upon that occasion, was painted with a
variety of emblems, and during the solemnity and remaining part of the
day, ran with different sorts of wine, for the entertainment of the
populace.
At the end of Wood street, the standard there was finely embellished
with royal portraitures and a number of flags, on which were painted
coats of arms and trophies, and above was a concert of vocal and
instrumental music.
At the upper end of Cheapside was the Aldermens station, where the
Recorder addressed the Queen in a very elegant oration, and, in the name
of the citizens, presented her with a thousand marks in a purse of gold
tissue, which her Majesty very gracefully received.
At a small distance, by Cheapside conduit, was a pageant, in which were
seated Minerva, Juno, and Venus; before whom stood the god Mercury, who,
in their names, presented the Queen a golden apple.
At St. Paul’s gate was a fine pageant, in which sat three ladies richly
dressed, with each a chaplet on her head, and a tablet in her hand,
containing Latin inscriptions.
At the east end of St. Paul’s cathedral, the Queen was entertained by
some of the scholars belonging to St. Paul’s school, with verses in
praise of the King and her Majesty, with which she seemed highly
delighted.
Thence proceeding to Ludgate, which was finely decorated, her Majesty
was entertained with several songs adapted to the occasion, sung in
concert by men and boys upon the leads over the gate.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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