A contemporary account of this festival says: 'Upon the Thanksgiving day for the Peace, about Four Thousand Charity Children (Boys and Girls), new Cloath'd, were placed upon a Machine in the Strand, which was in Length above 600 Foot, and had in Bredth Eight Ranges of seats one above another, whereby all the Children appear'd in full View of both Houses of Parliament, in the solemn Procession they made to St. Paul's upon that joyful Occasion, and who, by their singing Hymns of Prayer and Praise to God for her Majesty, as well as by their Appearance, contributed very much to adorn so welcome a Festival; and gave great Satisfaction to all the Spectators, not without some Surprize to Foreigners who never had beheld such a glorious Sight. The Trustees of the several Charity Schools in and about London and Westminster readily agreed upon Measures for placing the Children in the expected View of Her Majesty, as a Testimony of their great Duty and Humble Thankfulness to Her Majesty for the particular Countenance and Encouragement Her Majesty hath always vouchsafed to give to the Charity Schools,[17] whereby She may be truly stiled their Patron and Protector. Her Majesty not being present, the Hymns were both sung and repeated during the whole Procession, which lasted near Three Hours; and for the Satisfaction and Entertainment of the Publick they are printed as follows:-- [Footnote 17: The Queen recommended the design of charity schools to the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, in a letter dated August 20, 1711: 'And forasmuch as the pious Instruction and Education of Children is the surest Way of preserving and propagating the Knowledge and Practice of true Religion, it hath been very acceptable to US to hear, that for the Attaining these good Ends, many _Charity Schools_ are now Erected throughout the Kingdom, by the liberal Contributions of OUR Good subjects; WE do therefore earnestly recommend it to you, by all proper Ways, to encourage and promote so excellent a Work, and to countenance and assist the Persons principally concerned in it, as they shall always be sure of Our Protection and Favour.'] 'Hymns to be sung by the Charity Children upon the 7th of July, 1713, being the Thanksgiving Day for the PEACE. 'As Her MAJESTY goes to St. Paul's-- Lord give the QUEEN Thy saving Health, Whose Hope on Thee depends: Grant Her Increase of Fame and Wealth, With Bliss that never ends! Allelujah, Allelujah, Allelujah, Allelujah! Allelujah, Allelujah, Allelujah, Allelujah, Allelujah! For Her our fervent Vows aspire, Our Praises are Address'd; Thou hast fulfill'd Her Heart's Desire And granted Her Request. Allelujah, &c.