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 are informed, indeed, that the route which was taken, arose from
an arrangement previously made, in consequence of certain recent
events, which made the appearance of an illustrious Personage in a
Procession, inconvenient: and that as he could not go forth to meet
and receive his high guests, it was determined that they should be
advised to enter the Metropolis privately. We do not believe this
sarcastic method of accounting for the disappointment which was so
generally felt; as we cannot suppose that, because his Royal Highness
could not himself partake of the magnificent display which was
prepared for the occasion, he would prevent it from taking place
altogether. We believe, on the contrary, that the Emperor of Russia
and King of Prussia have uniformly expressed their earnest desire of
avoiding all ceremony, and of being allowed to do in London as they
did in Paris, to go about and see everything worthy of notice without
ostentation.
"The Emperor of Russia arrived at half-past two o'clock, at the
Pulteney Hotel, in so private a manner that the post-boys did not
know who they were driving. He travelled in Count Lieven's Carriage,
without a single attendant; he passed all the attendants in the
lower part of the Hotel without his being known, and had run up to
the first flight of stairs, when Prince Gargarine announced that it
was the Emperor. At the same instant his sister, the Grand Duchess,
met him on the stairs, and they saluted each other in the most
affectionate manner. The Emperor afterwards embraced the interesting
child, Prince Alexander.[20]
[Footnote 20: The son of the Duchess of Oldenburgh, then
about three years old.]
"The joyful tidings of the arrival of the Emperor resounded, not only
throughout the house, but in the street, where there was an immense
concourse of people, who expressed their joy by repeated huzzas and
'Long live the Emperor,' &c., &c. He, in consequence, appeared,
a short time afterwards, at the balcony, and bowed in the most
condescending manner, and which he continued to do, at intervals,
till eleven o'clock at night, the people rending the air with shouts
of applause. The Earl of Morton, the Queen's Chamberlain, waited upon
the Emperor in the name of the Queen, to express her congratulations
on his arrival in England.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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