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
At the eastern, or upper, end of the Hall, on a platform elevated
above the level of the floor, covered with Turkey carpeting, was
placed a very large table, at which stood three massive carved
and gilt chairs covered with crimson velvet, decorated with gold
fringes, under a lofty Canopy of rich crimson velvet, lined with
crimson sarsenet, and rich velvet draperies reaching to the floor,
tied back with gold ropes. In front of the dome of the Canopy were
placed the Sword and Sceptre; and, on the top, the Royal Crown of the
United Kingdom, boldly carved on a large scale, and gilt; over which
hovered a Dove, with the olive branch, in proper colours, as in the
act of alighting, in allusion to the establishment of Peace, and in
compliment to the three great Personages sitting under the Canopy. In
the centre sat
THE PRINCE REGENT.
_On his right._ _On his left._
The Emperor of Russia. The King of Prussia.
Duke of York. Duchess of Oldenburgh.
Prince Henry of Prussia. The Hereditary Prince of
Wirtemberg.
Duke of Cambridge. Countess Lieven.
Duke of Orleans. Duke of Kent.
Duke of Saxe Weimar. Prince of Bavaria.
Prince Augustus of Prussia. Prince Metternich.
The Duke of Oldenburgh. The Prince of Cobourg.
Count de Merveldt. Duke of Gloucester.
Prince of Hardenberg. Prince William of Prussia.
Count Fernan Nunez, } The Prince of Orange.
Duke of Montellano. } Princess Volkonské.
There were besides, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Ministers, the
Speaker of the House of Commons, all the Officers of State, including
the Prince Regent's Household, the flower of the Nobility, Foreign
Ambassadors, &c., &c.
Never was such a banquet seen. The very waiters were not hired,
but were Citizens, and other gentlemen of respectability, dressed
alike, in black, with white waistcoats, who gratuitously offered
their services upon the occasion, and not only acted as waiters, but
superintended and took care of the great quantity of Plate that was
used, the value of which was estimated to exceed Two Hundred Thousand
Pounds. The Lord Mayor, the Right Hon. William Domville, was made a
Baronet.
The Royal guests must have been thankful that the next day (the
19th) was a Sunday. The Emperor went to the Chapel of his Embassy in
Welbeck Street, after which, he and his sister went to a Quakers'
Meeting in Peter's Court, St. Martin's Lane. On their return to
their hotel the Emperor gave audience to many people, on business;
then called on the Princess Charlotte, stopped with her half an hour,
and then drove to Chiswick to visit the Duke of Devonshire, returning
to the Pulteney Hotel at seven, and to a party at the Regent's to
meet the Queen in the evening.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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