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
"After the first interview of the General with the Prince, as
interesting a scene took place, probably, as ever was beheld. A
British Sovereign, in the person of the Prince Regent, conferring
an honour on a foreign General, for his meritorious services, in
the midst of the acclamations of his people; and the Prince Regent
returned from his private apartments hand in hand with the gallant
Blücher, and in the centre of the grand Hall, surrounded publicly by
his people, placed on his shoulder, and fastened with his own hand, a
blue ribbon, to which was hung a beautiful medallion, with a likeness
of the Prince, richly set with diamonds. Marshal Blücher knelt whilst
the Prince was conferring the honour, and, on his rising, had the
honour to kiss the Prince's hand. The Prince and the General bowed to
the public, and their ecstasy and acclamations in return exceeds all
description.
"The General, afterwards, had an interview with the Prince for about
half an hour, and then proceeded in his Carriage to the house of Mr.
Gordon, in St. James's Palace, adjoining the Duke of Cumberland's,
followed by an immense multitude; some got into the Carriage with
him. The Crowd remained in the Court-yard till dark, huzzaing,
and the gallant General frequently showing himself at the window
to gratify them. The public were indulged with remaining in the
Court-yard at Carlton House during the evening, and they testified
their loud applause to all who arrived to partake of a grand dinner
given by the Prince to the King of Prussia, and his sons, the
Princes, the Prince of Mecklenburg, the Prince of Orange, several
other Foreigners of distinction, the most of the Foreign Ambassadors,
and Ministers, Count Munster, the Duke and Duchess of York, the Duke
of Cambridge, the Cabinet Ministers and their Ladies, the Officers of
the State and Household, and their Ladies.
"The Princes, sons of the King of Prussia, had the horses taken out
of their Carriage, and were drawn by the people to their Hotel in
Jermyn Street. The Prince de Metternich, General Platow" (our old
friend the Cossack Hetman), "and General Barclay de Tolly, drove to
the respective hotels taken for them. The only triumphal entry was
that of the venerable and gallant Blücher. He was met four miles
beyond Dartford, by a detachment of horse, and he approached town
amidst the enthusiastic shouts of surrounding myriads. They avoided
Shooter's Hill, and crossed Bexley Heath to Eltham. Indeed, the whole
way from Dover was one continued Jubilee."
Here I end the account given by "our own correspondent" of that day.
Its grammar and construction may be found fault with, but though
doubtless written in a great hurry, its facts are correct.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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