Social England under the Regency, Vol. 1 (of 2)Ashton, John
History
Social England under the Regency, Vol. 1 (of 2)
Ashton, John
England -- Social life and customs -- 19th century; Regency -- England
We were now to have an influx of visitors to England. The Duchess of
Oldenburgh was still here, being fêted and lionized, having dinner
at Carlton House, or a steak done on a shovel, and washed down with
stout, at Whitbread's Brewery. The Prince of Orange landed at Harwich
on the 29th of April, and, after seeing the Prince Regent, "would
a-wooing go," and accompanied the Regent on a visit to his daughter
as her acknowledged suitor. Marshal Blücher (old General Vorwärts)
came over here very early in May, and took up his residence at the
Foreign Hotel in Leicester Square. But all arrivals paled before the
expected visit of the Emperors of Russia and Austria, and the King of
Prussia. The kitchen in St. James's Palace was repaired, and newly
fitted up for the establishment of the two first-named potentates.
And "A pair of massy golden Eagles, nearly as large as life, were
made a few days since by Messrs. Rundell and Bridge, for the Prince
Regent's table. This beautiful ornament is to be placed, as we
understand, at the head of the dinner table near the Royal Guests,
as a respectful compliment to the Emperor of Russia, and the King of
Prussia, whose standards bear this imperial bird. The eagle is placed
with his talons on the verge of a nest, which is most admirably
formed after Nature. The beak is turned to a horizontal position, and
his eye fixed on the object below; the wings are gracefully extended,
and raised above the head. In the back of the bird is concealed a
lamp to contain burning spirits, over which any plate may be applied
with ease, and made warm."
At length the promised day arrived, and on the 7th of June, the
Emperor of Russia, and the King of Prussia, came into London quite
unannounced, and quietly.
_Morning Chronicle_, June 8, 1814: "His Imperial Majesty, Alexander
of Russia, his Prussian Majesty, and the illustrious Princes and
Princesses in their respective suites, arrived yesterday in London,
at different hours, and by different routes, to avoid the _éclat_
of a public entry, and, consequently, to avoid the pressure of the
multitudes who had assembled to welcome their approach. The Crowds,
which had gathered from all parts of the Metropolis, in the direction
which they were expected to take, was immense. In fact, from Charing
Cross to Blackheath the way was almost impassable; and it was well
that the Royal Visitors were advised to come _incog._, for it would
have been with infinite difficulty that the escort could have
penetrated through the compact body of the people assembled, without
the interference of military force, by which mischief might have
ensued.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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