Social England under the Regency, Vol. 1 (of 2) — John Shaqi
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
sides with a superb drapery, and with artificial flowers and costly
candelabra: particularly the long range of supper rooms on the grand
level, at the head of which the Regent sat, at the west end of the
Conservatory, inspired the highest ideas of real magnificence.
"This range, beginning from the east end, comprises the new
Gothic rooms, not yet entirely finished, but temporarily hung with
crimson, and the Library, beautifully ornamented with marbles. In
these apartments there were two rows of tables, elegantly adorned.
The centre room was left open. To the west, the eating room, &c.,
and the Conservatory had one long table running through both. The
appearance of the Conservatory was truly striking and brilliant.
The architecture of it is of the most delicate Gothic. The upper
end was a kind of circular buffet surmounted by a Medallion, with
the initials G. P. R. lined by festoons and antique draperies of
pink and silver, and partly filled by mirrors, before which, on
ornamented shelves, stood a variety of vases, candlesticks, &c., of
the most gorgeous gold plate. Supplied, as indeed all the tables
were, with every attainable delicacy and luxury which wealth and rank
could command, or ingenuity suggest, and embellished by all the art
and skill of the confectioner, with emblematical devices of every
conceivable appropriate description, this table displayed a still
more splendid exuberance.
"In the front of the Regent's seat there was a circular basin of
water, with an enriched Temple in the centre of it, from whence there
was a meandering stream to the bottom of the table, bordered with
green banks. Three or four fantastic bridges were thrown over it, one
of them with a small tower upon it, which gave the little stream a
picturesque appearance. It contained also a number of gold and silver
fish. The excellence of design, and exquisiteness of workmanship
could not be exceeded; it exhibited a grandeur beyond description;
while the many and various purposes for which gold and silver
materials were used were equally beautiful and superb in all their
minute details.[4]
[Footnote 4: Nearly a waggon load of the family plate of
the late Sir William Pulteney decorated the Tables at
Carlton House. It is said that the weight of the whole of
the gold and silver plate used on this occasion, was Six
Tons.]
"The Company, who continued to arrive from nine till half-past
twelve, were ushered into the state rooms, and soon filled the house.
The hall was crowded with Peers and Peeresses, and was made the same
use of, as the apartments of State. Under the grand arched doorway
between the halls, was a most elegant scarlet and gold drapery, after
the antique.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account