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+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 43995 ***
+
+PETER PARLEY'S
+
+VISIT TO LONDON.
+
+
+
+
+    LONDON:
+    CLARKE, PRINTERS, SILVER STREET, FALCON SQUARE.
+
+[Illustration: _Madeley lith. 3, Wellington St. Strand._
+
+THE CORONATION OF HER MAJESTY QUEEN VICTORIA.]
+
+
+
+
+PETER PARLEY'S VISIT TO LONDON,
+
+DURING THE CORONATION OF QUEEN VICTORIA.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+    LONDON:
+    CHARLES TILT, FLEET STREET.
+    MDCCCXXXIX.
+
+
+
+
+    TO THE GOOD
+
+    LITTLE BOYS AND GIRLS
+
+    OF GREAT BRITAIN,
+
+    PETER PARLEY
+
+    DEDICATES THESE PAGES.
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS.
+
+
+    CHAPTER I.
+
+    PARLEY ARRIVES IN LONDON                     Page 1
+
+
+    CHAPTER II.
+
+    PARLEY GOES TO SEE THE NEW CROWN                  6
+
+
+    CHAPTER III.
+
+    PARLEY VISITS WESTMINSTER ABBEY AND
+    HYDE-PARK.--PREPARATIONS FOR THE FAIR            11
+
+
+    CHAPTER IV.
+
+    PARLEY SEES THE QUEEN, AND RELATES SOME
+    ANECDOTES OF HER MAJESTY                         16
+
+
+    CHAPTER V.
+
+    PARLEY CONTINUES HIS ANECDOTES OF THE QUEEN      28
+
+
+    CHAPTER VI.
+
+    PARLEY DESCRIBES WESTMINSTER ABBEY ON THE
+    MORNING OF THE CORONATION, AND RELATES THE
+    LEGENDS CONNECTED WITH ST. EDWARD'S CHAIR        40
+
+
+    CHAPTER VII.
+
+    PARLEY DESCRIBES THE PROCESSION TO
+    WESTMINSTER ABBEY                                52
+
+
+    CHAPTER VIII.
+
+    PARLEY DESCRIBES THE CORONATION IN
+    WESTMINSTER ABBEY                                65
+
+
+    CHAPTER IX.
+
+    PARLEY CONTINUES HIS DESCRIPTION OF THE
+    CORONATION IN WESTMINSTER ABBEY                  81
+
+
+    CHAPTER X.
+
+    PARLEY GIVES AN ACCOUNT OF THE ILLUMINATIONS,
+    AND OF THE GRAND DISPLAY OF FIRE-WORKS           92
+
+
+    CHAPTER XI.
+
+    PARLEY ATTENDS A REVIEW IN HYDE PARK, AND
+    RELATES SOME PASSAGES IN THE LIFE OF MARSHAL
+    SOULT.--CONCLUSION                              103
+
+
+
+
+PETER PARLEY'S
+
+VISIT TO LONDON.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+PARLEY ARRIVES IN LONDON.
+
+
+"WELL, my little friends, here is your old acquaintance, Peter Parley,
+come to tell some more of his amusing Tales. You wonder, I dare say,
+what could tempt such a frail old man as I am to leave home, and come
+so far. You shall hear.
+
+"A Coronation, you must know, is a sight not to be seen every day in
+the United States, where we have neither King nor Queen, so thinks
+I to myself, I hear a great deal about the grandeur of the spectacle
+which is to be exhibited at the crowning of Queen Victoria, and
+though I have seen many grand sights in my day, I have never seen a
+Coronation, so I shall just get into one of these new steam ships which
+take one across the Atlantic Ocean so quickly, and have a look at the
+affair. I shall, besides, have an opportunity of seeing the kind London
+friends who treated me so handsomely when I was last in England, and
+then I shall have such lots of new stories for my young friends. I
+must--I shall go!
+
+"Peter Parley is not a man to spend much time in idling after
+having formed a resolution, so the very next day, having bid my old
+housekeeper good bye, I was on my way to New York.
+
+"As soon as I arrived at New York, I made enquiries about the steam
+ships, and, finding that the 'Great Western' was to sail very soon, I
+secured my passage in her, and then went to visit my friends in that
+city, for I always like to fulfil the old adage, and finish my work
+before I begin to play.
+
+"Every body was surprised at my undertaking, and some kind folks wanted
+to persuade me to stay at home, thinking to frighten me by telling me
+about the length of the voyage, &c. They did not know Peter Parley.
+One wag, who wished to be very witty, asked me why I did not wait and
+take my passage in the new American ship, the 'Horse-Alligator,' which
+was to sail on the 25th of June, and arrive in London the day before!
+I could not help laughing at the idea, but I told him that steam was
+quick enough for me.
+
+"I have already told you about my voyages across the Atlantic, so I
+need do no more now than make just one passing remark on the splendour
+of the fitting-up, and the admirable arrangements of the 'Great
+Western.' We passed a great many vessels as we came along, especially
+when we were not far distant from the American and English shores. They
+had no chance with us. Sometimes we discovered them far a-head, like
+mere specks on the ocean. In an hour or two we came up with them, and,
+in as much more time, left them far behind. The steady and untiring
+whirl of the steamer's paddles carried every thing before it.
+
+"We reached Bristol in thirteen days, and, as I had nothing to detain
+me there, I hurried on to London, and arrived in the middle of the
+grand preparations.
+
+"Every body was as busy as a bee.--Nothing was talked of but the
+Coronation. 'Oh! Mr. Parley, have you come to see the Coronation too?'
+was my first salute from every lip. My kind old friend, Major Meadows,
+insisted on my taking up my quarters in his house, and promised that
+I should see every thing that was to be seen, and hear every thing
+that was to be heard. This was just what I wanted to be at, so I fixed
+myself with him at once."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+PARLEY GOES TO SEE THE NEW CROWN.
+
+
+"AFTER paying a few visits, and renewing old friendships, I set myself,
+in good earnest, to see what was to be seen.
+
+"The most attractive object, connected with the Coronation, exhibiting
+at the time, was the new crown made for the occasion. I accordingly
+made the best of my way into the city, to the shop of Messrs. Rundell
+and Bridge, her Majesty's goldsmiths, on Ludgate Hill, who, with the
+greatest liberality, had thrown open their rooms that the public might
+have an opportunity of inspecting the crown.
+
+"So great was the crowd, all anxious to have a peep, that it was some
+time before I could press forward to the door of the shop. Carriages
+were so busy taking up and setting down company, that the street was
+quite blocked up. At length, however, by dint of perseverance, Peter
+Parley managed to squeeze in.
+
+"After traversing the shop, all round which are ranged articles of the
+most massive and costly description, we were ushered into an interior
+apartment, in which, in glass cases, were deposited the precious
+curiosities.
+
+"In the centre, the admired of all beholders, was the Royal Crown. It
+is beautifully designed, and formed in the most costly and elegant
+manner, and so covered with precious stones, as almost to dazzle the
+eyes of old Peter Parley. It is composed of hoops of silver, enclosing
+a cap of deep purple velvet. The hoops are completely covered and
+concealed by precious stones, the whole surmounted by a ball covered
+with small diamonds, and having a Maltese cross of brilliants on the
+top of it. The body of the crown is wreathed with fleurs-de-lis and
+Maltese crosses; the one in the front being ornamented with a very
+large heart-shaped ruby, once, I was informed, a principal ornament in
+the crown of Edward the Black Prince, and which he is said to have worn
+at the battle of Cressy. Peter Parley cannot remember all the details,
+for besides these, there are many other precious stones in the crown.
+The rim is surrounded with ermine, and it certainly struck me as being
+one of the finest things I had ever seen.
+
+"Close beside the crown were the coronets of the Royal Dukes and
+Duchesses, but though they also were made of costly materials, the
+attractions of the crown were so great as to throw the others quite
+into the back ground. I had hardly time to turn my eyes toward the case
+containing the Orb and Sword of state, before I was hurried away by the
+pressure of the crowd behind, which kept pouring in in undiminished
+numbers.
+
+"As I moved towards the door behind the shop, which was set apart for
+visitors retiring, I passed a table on which was displayed a service of
+massive gold utensils, to be used in the consecration service.
+
+"When I reached the street, I found it still densely crowded. I wanted
+to go to St. Paul's, which stands close by, but was afraid to venture
+into such a crowd, so I directed my steps to Westminster Abbey, making
+my way with some difficulty down Ludgate Hill and along Fleet Street,
+and passing beneath Temple Bar, which marks the boundary of the City."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+PARLEY VISITS WESTMINSTER ABBEY AND HYDE-PARK. PREPARATIONS FOR THE
+FAIR.
+
+
+"AS I approached the venerable pile I found all in bustle and
+confusion. Every where carpenters were busily engaged fitting up
+galleries for the accommodation of spectators of the procession on the
+day of the coronation. Ranges of such erections lined the whole course
+of the street through which the procession was to pass, up to the very
+door of the Abbey; even the church-yard was lined with them. These
+I was told were the speculations of tradesmen, who let the sittings
+according to the value of the situation, at prices varying from
+half-a-sovereign up to a couple of guineas. For some very choice places
+even five guineas was asked.
+
+"Peter Parley could not help smiling at the fine names which had been
+given to some of these erections; such as the 'Royal Victoria Gallery,'
+the 'Royal Kent Gallery,' &c., &c.
+
+"By order of the Earl Marshal no visitors were permitted to enter the
+Abbey; but as good luck would have it, just as I happened to be passing
+the western grand entrance I met a gentleman connected with the Board
+of Works, whom I had seen at Major Meadows's the day before, and who
+most obligingly offered to introduce me.
+
+"I gladly availed myself of his invitation, and was much struck with
+the grandeur and extent of the preparations.
+
+"At the western entrance to the Abbey a suite of apartments for
+robing-rooms for her Majesty and the members of the Royal Family had
+been erected. So completely did this structure harmonize externally
+with the rest of the antique building, that I should not have observed
+that it was a temporary erection had it not been pointed out to me. The
+chamber set apart for her Majesty was fitted up in the most gorgeous
+manner--the walls beautifully ornamented, and the furniture, all of
+the richest and most magnificent description. Though less costly the
+apartments for the Royal Family were equally chaste.
+
+"The interior of the Abbey presented a scene at once animated and
+beautiful. Workmen were busily engaged in various parts finishing the
+preparations. I will have occasion to tell you about the interior of
+the Abbey by and by, so I may as well say nothing about it at present.
+
+"Peter Parley now proceeded to Hyde-Park to see the preparations for
+the grand fair which was to be held in that noble pleasure-ground on
+this joyous occasion.
+
+"Already many booths displayed themselves on the plain, and many
+more were in the act of being erected. Richardson, who Peter Parley
+understood is one of the most famous of the show-folks, had erected
+a large and handsome theatre, which even thus early seemed to have
+considerable attractions for the multitude who had gathered round it in
+great numbers.
+
+"Peter Parley having seen all that was worth seeing in the fair was
+beginning to feel tired, and was directing his steps homeward, when
+all of a sudden his attention was attracted to a particular part of
+the Park to which people seemed to be hastening from all quarters.
+Peter Parley hurried to the spot and was most agreeably surprised to
+find that it was Queen Victoria, accompanied by her suite, taking her
+accustomed airing in her carriage."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+PARLEY SEES THE QUEEN, AND RELATES SOME ANECDOTES OF HER MAJESTY.
+
+
+"'WHAT a dear sweet lady!' were the first words of Peter Parley when
+the Royal cavalcade had passed.
+
+[Illustration: _Madeley lith. 3, Wellington St. Strand._
+
+HER MAJESTY LEAVING BUCKINGHAM PALACE ON THE MORNING OF THE CORONATION.]
+
+"'She is a dear sweet lady, Mr. Parley, and, what is more, she is as
+good as she is sweet,' said my friend, Major Meadows, who, afraid lest
+I should overwalk myself in my zeal for sight-seeing, had followed me
+from Westminster Abbey and luckily fallen in with me in the park,
+and he went on to relate many very interesting anecdotes of the young
+Queen, which Peter Parley took good care to remember because he knew
+they would gratify his young friends."
+
+"'Her Majesty is doatingly fond of children, Mr. Parley,' said he, 'and
+that you know is always the sign of a good heart. Nothing can be finer
+than the traits of character exhibited in a little anecdote which Lady
+M---- told me a day or two ago.
+
+"'Not long since, her Majesty commanded Lady Barham, one of the ladies
+in waiting, to bring her family of lovely children to the new palace.
+They were greatly admired and fondly caressed by the Queen; when a
+beautiful little boy about three years of age artlessly said--
+
+"'I do not see the Queen; I want to see the Queen;' upon which her
+Majesty, smiling, said--
+
+"'I am the Queen, love;' and taking her little guest into her arms
+repeatedly kissed the astonished child.
+
+"This little anecdote warmed old Peter Parley's heart towards the young
+Queen; nor did any of the stories which Major Meadows told me tend to
+lessen my regard for her. Peter Parley was pleased to hear that she has
+a proper sense of the importance of the station to which she has been
+called by Divine Providence.
+
+"On the day on which she was proclaimed Queen of Great Britain she
+arrived in company with her royal mother at St. James's Palace for the
+purpose of taking part in the important ceremony. As they drove towards
+the palace the party received the most affectionate demonstrations
+of loyalty and attachment, the people following the carriages with a
+continuous cry of 'Long live the Queen'--'God bless our youthful Queen,
+long may she live,' &c. Yet, exciting and exhilirating as were these
+acclamations, her Majesty's countenance exhibited marks only of anxiety
+and grief.
+
+"They arrived at St. James's Palace a little before ten o'clock. When
+the old bell of the palace-clock announced that hour, the band struck
+up the National Anthem, the Park and Tower guns fired a double royal
+salute, and the young and trembling Queen, led by the Marquis of
+Lansdowne, President of the Council, appeared at an open window looking
+into the great court of the Palace. At the fervent and enthusiastic
+shout of the people who had come to witness the ceremony, her Majesty
+burst into tears, and, in spite of all her efforts to restrain them,
+they continued to flow down her pale cheeks all the time she remained
+at the window. Her emotions did not, however, prevent her from
+returning her acknowledgments for the devotedness of her people.
+
+"Some of the most interesting anecdotes which Peter Parley heard,
+however, related to an earlier period of the Queen's life, when she was
+Princess Victoria.
+
+"'Here is an anecdote which I heard at a Missionary Meeting, Mr.
+Parley,' said Major Meadows, 'and I assure you it told with great
+effect.'"
+
+"A poor but truly pious widow, placed in charge of a lighthouse on the
+south coast of the Mersey, had resolved to devote the receipts of one
+day in the year, during the visiting season, to the Missionary cause.
+On one of these days, a lady in widow's weeds and a little girl in
+deep mourning came to see the lighthouse; sympathy in misfortune led
+to conversation, and before the unknown visitor took her departure
+they had most probably mingled their tears together. The lady left
+behind her a sovereign. The unusually large gratuity immediately caused
+a conflict in the breast of the poor woman, as to whether she was
+absolutely bound to appropriate the whole of it to the Missionary-box
+or not. At length she compromised, by putting in half-a-crown. But
+conscience would not let her rest: she went to bed, but could not
+sleep; she arose, took back the half-crown, put in the sovereign, went
+to bed and slept comfortably. A few days afterwards, to her great
+surprise, she received a double letter, franked, and on opening it,
+was no less astonished than delighted to find twenty pounds from the
+widow lady, and five pounds from the little girl in deep mourning. And
+who were that lady and that little girl, do you think? No other than
+her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent and our present rightful and
+youthful sovereign."
+
+"During one of the summer seasons of the Princess's childhood the
+Duchess of Kent resided in the neighbourhood of Malvern, and almost
+daily walked on the Downs. One day the Princess and her beautiful
+little dog Pero, of which she was uncommonly fond, happening
+considerably to outstrip the Duchess and governess, she overtook a
+little peasant girl about her own age. With the thoughtless hilarity
+of youth she made up to her, and without ceremony, said to her--
+
+"'My dog is very tired, will you carry him for me if you please?'
+
+"The good-natured girl, quite unconscious of the rank of the applicant,
+immediately complied, and tripped along by the side of the Princess for
+some time in unceremonious conversation. At length she said,
+
+"'I am tired now, and cannot carry your dog any farther.'
+
+"'Tired!' cried her Royal Highness, 'Impossible! Think what a little
+way you have carried him!'
+
+"'Quite far enough,' was the homely reply; 'besides, I am going to my
+aunt's, and if your dog must be carried, why cannot you carry him
+yourself?'
+
+"So saying, she placed Pero on the grass, and he again joyfully frisked
+beside his royal mistress.
+
+"'Going to your aunt's;' rejoined the Princess, unheeding Pero's
+gambols; 'pray who is your aunt?'
+
+"'Mrs. Johnson, the miller's wife.'
+
+"'And where does she live?'
+
+"'In that pretty little white house which you see just at the bottom of
+the hill, there;' said the unconscious girl, pointing it out among the
+trees; and the two companions stood still that the Princess might make
+sure that she was right, thus giving the Duchess and her companion
+time to come up.
+
+"'Oh, I should like to see her!' exclaimed the light-hearted Princess;
+'I will go with you, come let us run down the hill together.'
+
+"'No, no, my Princess,' cried the governess, coming up and taking her
+Royal Highness's hand, 'you have conversed long enough with that little
+girl, and now the Duchess wishes you to walk with her.
+
+"The awful words 'Princess' and 'Duchess' quite confounded the little
+peasant girl; blushing and almost overcome, she earnestly begged pardon
+for the liberties she had taken, but her fears were instantly allayed
+by the Duchess, who, after thanking her for her trouble in carrying
+Pero, recompensed her by giving her half-a-crown.
+
+"Delighted, the little girl curtsied her thanks, and running on briskly
+to her aunt's, she related all that had passed, dwelling particularly
+on the apprehension she had felt when she discovered that it was the
+Princess whom she had desired to carry her dog herself. The half-crown
+was afterwards framed and hung up in the miller's homely parlour, as a
+memento of this pleasing little adventure."
+
+"This is but a childish story, but Peter Parley loves to hear stories
+of good children, and he knows that his little friends love to hear
+them too."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+PARLEY CONTINUES HIS ANECDOTES OF THE QUEEN.
+
+
+"THERE was one anecdote of the Queen from which Peter Parley derived
+much pleasure, because it showed that, notwithstanding her high
+station, she is not unmindful of Him by whom 'Kings reign, and Princes
+decree justice.'
+
+"A noble lord, one of her Majesty's ministers of state, not
+particularly remarkable for his observance of holy ordinances, recently
+arrived at Windsor Castle late one Saturday night.
+
+"'I have brought down for your Majesty's inspection,' he said, 'some
+papers of importance, but as they must be gone into at length I will
+not trouble your Majesty with them to-night, but request your attention
+to them to-morrow morning.'
+
+"'To-morrow morning!' repeated the Queen; 'to-morrow is Sunday, my
+lord.'
+
+"'But business of state, please your Majesty--'
+
+"'Must be attended to, I know,' replied the Queen, 'and as of course
+you could not come down earlier to-night, I will, if those papers are
+of such vital importance, attend to them _after we come from church
+to-morrow morning_.'
+
+"To church went the royal party; to church went the noble lord, and
+much to his surprise the sermon was on '_The duties of the Sabbath_!'
+
+"'How did your lordship like the sermon?' enquired the young Queen.
+
+"'Very much, your Majesty,' replied the nobleman, with the best grace
+he could.
+
+"'I will not conceal from you,' said the Queen, 'that last night I sent
+the clergyman the text from which he preached. I hope we shall all be
+the better for it.'
+
+"The day passed without a single word on the subject of the 'papers
+of importance,' and at night, when her Majesty was about to withdraw,
+'To-morrow morning, my lord,' she said, 'at any hour you please, and
+as early as seven if you like, we will go into these papers.'
+
+"His lordship could not think of intruding at so early an hour on her
+Majesty; 'Nine would be quite time enough.'
+
+"'As they are of importance, my lord, I would have attended to them
+earlier, but at nine be it;' and at nine her Majesty was seated ready
+to receive the nobleman, who had been taught a lesson on the duties of
+the sabbath, it is hoped, he will not quickly forget.
+
+"Exemplary as the young Queen is in her religious duties, however,
+Peter Parley was pleased to find that she does not allow her religion
+to consist in mere theory, but that in reality she clothes the poor and
+feeds the hungry.
+
+"On one occasion when her Majesty, accompanied by her suite, was
+taking an airing on horseback, in the neighbourhood of Windsor, she
+was overtaken by a heavy shower, which forced the royal party to seek
+shelter in an outhouse belonging to a farm yard, where a poor man was
+busily employed making hurdles. Her Majesty entered into conversation
+with the man (who was totally ignorant who he was addressing), and
+finding that he had a large family and no means of supporting them
+beyond what he gained by making these hurdles, her Majesty enquired
+where he lived, and on taking her departure presented him with a
+sovereign. Next day she went, accompanied by her Royal Mother, to the
+cottage of the poor man, and finding his statement to be correct,
+immediately provided some good warm clothing for his wife and children.
+Her Majesty seemed very much pleased with the neatness and regularity
+of the cottage, and on taking her departure presented the poor woman
+with a five-pound note.
+
+"There was no end to stories of this description, but I can only afford
+room for two or three more; one of which, in particular, shows how
+early the Queen has been taught to look up to the only source of real
+comfort in affliction.
+
+"An old man who once served in the capacity of porter to the Duke
+of Kent, and who, in his old age and infirmity, has long since been
+pensioned by the Duchess, is not a little gratified at receiving a nod
+of recognition from her Majesty whenever her carriage chances to pass
+his cottage. The aged man has a daughter much afflicted, and who has
+been confined to bed for eight or ten years. On the evening of the late
+king's funeral this young woman was equally surprised and delighted
+at receiving from the Queen a present of the psalms of David in which
+was a marker worked by herself with a dove, the emblem of peace, in
+the centre. It pointed to the forty-first psalm, which her Majesty
+requested she would read, at the same time expressing a hope that its
+frequent perusal might bring an increase of peace to her mind.
+
+"Another poor man named Smith, who had for several years swept the
+crossing opposite the avenue leading to Kensington palace, and whom her
+Majesty always kindly noticed, rarely passing through the gates without
+throwing him some silver from the carriage window, received a message
+on the morning after the Queen's accession informing him that her
+Majesty had ordered that a weekly allowance of eight shillings should
+be regularly paid him. The poor man, however, did not long enjoy his
+pension, dying within six months from its commencement.
+
+"Short and brilliant as has been her Majesty's career however, and
+fondly and carefully as she has been watched over, her life affords a
+very striking instance of providential preservation.
+
+"During one of their summer excursions on the southern coast of
+England, the Royal party sailed in the Emerald yacht, and proceeding up
+the harbour at Plymouth for the purpose of landing at the dock-yard,
+the yacht unfortunately, from the rapidity of the tide, ran foul of one
+of the hulks which lay off the yard. The shock was so great that the
+mainmast of the royal yacht was sprung in two places, and her sail and
+gaff (or yard by which the sail is supported) fell instantaneously upon
+the deck.
+
+"The Princess happened unfortunately to be standing almost directly
+under the sail at the moment, and the most fatal consequences might
+have ensued, had not the master of the yacht, with admirable presence
+of mind, sprung forward and caught her in his arms and conveyed her
+to a place of safety. The alarm and confusion caused by the accident
+was for a time heightened by the uncertainty as to the fate of her
+Royal Highness, who had been preserved from injury by the blunt but
+well-timed rescue of the honest sailor.
+
+"'There is one thing which pleases me mightily, Mr. Parley,' said Major
+Meadows, 'and it is this, that with all this goodness our young Queen
+has a truly British heart. Often and often has she manifested this, and
+when quite a girl though perfectly acquainted with several European
+languages, and particularly with French and German, she never could be
+prevailed upon to converse in them as a habit, always observing that
+'she was a little English girl and would speak nothing but English.'
+There is a healthiness of feeling in this, Mr. Parley, which is quite
+delightful.'
+
+"Long before Major Meadows had finished his anecdotes about the Queen
+we had reached home. As it is the custom to dine late in London,
+we dined after our return, and during the repast, the Queen and the
+spectacle of to-morrow formed the chief subject of conversation, my
+friend continuing from time to time to give interest by some new
+anecdote, of which his store seemed to be inexhaustible.
+
+"Peter Parley is fond of early hours, so we retired to bed betimes,
+which was the more necessary, because by sun-rise to-morrow we must be
+up and away to Westminster Abbey."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+PARLEY DESCRIBES WESTMINSTER ABBEY ON THE MORNING OF THE CORONATION,
+AND RELATES THE LEGENDS CONNECTED WITH ST. EDWARD'S CHAIR.
+
+
+"EARLY in the morning, Peter Parley was up and dressed. He had hardly
+finished his devotions when, early though it was, Major Meadows knocked
+at the door of his room to enquire if he was stirring.
+
+"After partaking of a hurried breakfast we got into a carriage and
+drove to the Abbey. As we passed along, we found people, even at such
+an early hour, already begun to congregate in the streets, and to take
+up stations from which they expected to obtain the best view of the
+day's proceedings.
+
+[Illustration: _Madeley lith. 3, Wellington St. Strand._
+
+HER MAJESTY LEAVING HER PRIVATE APARTMENTS IN WESTMINSTER ABBEY.]
+
+"Peter Parley was pleased to find, on our arrival at the Abbey, that
+the doors had been opened a short time before, and the crowd of eager
+expectants who had been waiting, some of them upwards of an hour, had
+been already admitted. We were thus saved the necessity of exposing
+ourselves to being crushed by stronger and more energetic claimants for
+admission.
+
+"On entering the venerable building I was struck mute with astonishment
+at the magnificence of the preparations which now burst upon the sight
+with all their breadth and effect; though I had seen it so recently,
+I was not at all aware of the greatness of the scale on which they had
+been undertaken.
+
+"The approach to the theatre was by six broad steps leading from the
+vestibule under the music gallery. At the termination of the choir,
+just where it is intersected by the north and south transepts, a
+similar number of steps led to a large platform, covered with a
+splendid carpet in rich puce and gold colours. Upon this platform was
+raised a second of a smaller size, approached by four broad steps,
+each covered with carpeting of the most magnificent description. The
+fifth step, which formed the platform, was covered with cloth of gold,
+and in the centre was placed a splendid throne of a rich gilt ground,
+tastefully embellished with rose-coloured sprigs at short intervals,
+and the royal initials in the centre.
+
+"A little further in advance of this splendid throne, and nearer
+the altar, stood a chair of a more humble bearing, but far more
+interesting, from the legendary stories connected with it. This was St.
+Edward's chair, of which Peter Parley must say a few words.
+
+"The chair is made of solid oak, and beneath the seat is deposited
+a large stone, on which the Scottish kings used to be crowned. The
+legendary history of this stone is very curious. It commences as early
+as the time of Jacob, who is said to have rested his head on it in the
+plain of Luz, when, as you will recollect, he fled from the anger of
+his brother Esau. It was afterwards carried to Spain, by the Scythians,
+whence it found its way into Ireland in the time of Romulus and Remus,
+the founders of Rome. Here, it seems, from all accounts, first to have
+exhibited miraculous powers--making a 'prodigious noise, and being
+surprisingly disturbed,' whenever a prince of the Scythian line was
+seated upon it. Peter Parley would not have you believe any of these
+marvellous legends, none of which are true, but which are interesting
+nevertheless, as they serve to show in what manner the people of
+former times were misled by the silly and ridiculous legends of the
+darker ages.
+
+"From Ireland this singular stone was carried into Scotland, and placed
+in the Abbey of Scone, where the coronation of the Kings of Scotland
+usually took place. One of the Scottish kings caused an inscription to
+be cut upon it, an ancient prophecy, as it was said, but more probably
+an invention of some monkish chronicler of the time:--
+
+    "If Fate speak sooth, where'er this stone is found,
+    The Scots shall monarch of that realm be crown'd."
+
+"When Edward I. dethroned Baliol, he sent this celebrated stone, on
+the possession of which the Scots set great value, to London, along
+with the Scottish regalia. In the following year, the monarch presented
+these trophies at the shrine of St. Edward the Confessor; and it
+appears soon afterwards to have been placed in the coronation chair,
+where it has remained ever since.
+
+"Peter Parley has heard that the ancient prophecy, to which even at so
+late a period the more superstitious amongst the Scottish nation clung,
+was held to be fulfilled when James I. ascended the throne of England;
+and it is also said not to have been without a certain influence in
+reconciling many of the people to the Union with England.
+
+"But we must not forget the coronation in Westminster Abbey, in our
+interest in the legend connected with St. Edward's chair.
+
+"On each side of the platform on which the thrones stood, were the
+galleries appropriated for Peers and Peeresses and their friends, also
+those for the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Privy Councillors.
+
+"There were two other galleries rising above these on each side, the
+highest quite among the vaultings of the roof, which were appropriated
+indiscriminately to the rest of the visitors.
+
+"The whole of these extensive galleries were covered with crimson
+cloth, and trimmed with gold fringe, which had a very rich effect when
+contrasted with the sombre colours and antique stone walls of the
+building.
+
+"The decorations of the chancel and altar were of the most gorgeous
+description; the draperies being of the richest purple silk, brocaded
+in the most sumptuous pattern with gold. Behind the altar the
+decorations were of a still more delicate character than the rest, both
+the ground-work and the gold being of a lighter shade. Against the
+compartment behind the altar stood six massive gold plateaux, two of
+them being of very large dimensions. The table itself was loaded with
+a gold communion service, as well as with other articles used in the
+ceremony.
+
+"Peter Parley had time to notice all these things from being in the
+Abbey so early in the morning, before the visitors were so numerous,
+and the place so crowded as it afterwards became. The good sense and
+knowledge of Major Meadows led him to select a seat from which, while
+we could see as much of the ceremony as nine-tenths of those within the
+Abbey, we could readily retire to the roof, from which we could obtain
+an admirable view of the procession outside.
+
+"By six o'clock in the morning the visitors began to arrive in the
+interior of the Abbey, and bustle and confusion began to prevail,
+where, but an hour before, all had been stillness and silence; the
+rich and elegant dresses of the ladies giving an air of gaiety to
+the scene. An hour later the Peers and Peeresses began to make their
+appearance, and the attention was kept completely on the alert by some
+new arrival of a distinguished personage, or of a rich or picturesque
+costume."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"At length the sound of the Park guns announced that the Queen had
+entered her carriage and was on her way to the Abbey. This joyful
+announcement seemed to inspire every one present with joy and
+animation. The Peers, who had hitherto dispersed themselves over
+various parts of the building, giving, by their rich and picturesque
+costumes, additional brilliancy and variety to the already gorgeous
+scene, now retired to their appointed places, and a certain degree of
+order began to prevail within the Abbey.
+
+"As the procession began to draw near, Peter Parley took advantage of
+Major Meadows' foresight, and, with some little difficulty, made his
+way to the roof, to view its approach."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+PARLEY DESCRIBES THE PROCESSION TO WESTMINSTER ABBEY.
+
+
+"FROM this elevated and commanding position Peter Parley had a most
+admirable view of the procession, and of the immense multitude of
+spectators which lined the streets and crowded every window and roof
+from which even the most distant and casual view of it could be
+obtained.
+
+"Far as the eye could reach was one dense mass of human beings.
+The deafening cheers of the populace, the waving of ten thousand
+handkerchiefs, the clang of martial music, and the novelty and
+singularity of the whole scene, well nigh turned the head of poor Peter
+Parley.
+
+"He had hardly time to satisfy his old eyes with gazing on the immense
+assemblage when the procession began to approach.
+
+"Peter Parley will not attempt to give you an exact list of the
+procession, for he knows very well that a simple catalogue of names
+would not at all interest you; he will therefore merely run hastily
+over the principal parts of it, and show you drawings of several of
+the most striking scenes, which he knows very well will give you by
+one glance a clearer idea of it than if he were to spend hours in mere
+description.
+
+"Preceded by a squadron of horse-guards, whose gallant and warlike
+bearing excited general admiration, came the carriages of the foreign
+ministers resident in this country. Even in the midst of so much
+bustle, Peter Parley could not help moralizing on the singularity of
+the scene. Here were the representatives of every power on the face of
+the globe gathered together in one harmonious congregation; and the
+feelings to which their passing thus in review, in a living panorama
+as it were, gave rise were of the most peculiar description. Here were
+all separate and rival interests for the moment buried in oblivion, and
+people from the east, from the west, and from the north, and from the
+south, came to assist in doing honour to England's Queen.
+
+"Immediately behind the resident ministers followed the ambassadors
+extraordinary, that is, those who had been sent by their respective
+governments for the express purpose of taking part in the solemnity.
+Some of the carriages and trappings of these ambassadors excited the
+greatest attention and admiration. Those in particular of Marshal
+Soult, the French ambassador, one of the ablest opponents of the Duke
+of Wellington during the peninsular war, were rich almost beyond
+description. In colour his carriage was of a rich cobalt relieved with
+gold, the panels most tastefully ornamented with his Excellency's
+armorial bearings, at the back of which was a field-marshal's baton. It
+was furnished at each corner with a lamp surmounted by a massive silver
+coronet, and the raised cornices with which it was ornamented were
+of silver, deep and richly chased. These, with the beautiful harness
+(of white--the furniture was also of silver exquisitely chased), gave
+an air of richness and beauty to the whole equipage which was quite
+unequalled in the procession. Peter Parley thought he should never have
+done gazing at the rich and splendid equipage.
+
+"The carriages and attendants of the ambassador from the Sultan, though
+far less richly caparisoned, were objects of equal curiosity, partly
+on account of the eastern dress in which Ahmed Fetij Pasha appeared,
+and partly because of that undefined idea of romance which exists in
+the popular mind in connection with the crescent and the rising sun,
+the emblems of Turkish power.
+
+"The carriage was of a rich lake colour, with the emblems which Peter
+Parley has just mentioned richly emblazoned on the panels. Inside
+it was lined with crimson and yellow silk, in rich festoons; the
+hammercloth blue, with gold and scarlet hangings, the centre of scarlet
+velvet with the rising sun and crescent in diamonds.
+
+"The only other ambassador's carriage which Peter Parley shall notice
+is that of the Prince de Ligne, ambassador extraordinary from Belgium.
+I mention it not that it was very much more striking than the others,
+for they were all beautiful, and each was distinguished by some
+peculiarity of elegant chasteness or rich display. The carriage, which
+was also of rich lake tastefully ornamented with gold, was drawn by
+six beautiful grey horses, and was preceded by a couple of outriders
+likewise mounted on greys. His Excellency's armorial bearings were
+emblazoned on the panels, the roof ornamented by four gold coronets,
+one at each corner. The richness of the liveries and trappings made
+this equipage very much admired. After the foreign ambassadors followed
+a mounted band and a detachment of life-guards which preceded the
+carriages of the branches of the Royal Family.
+
+"Peter Parley cannot find a word to express his idea of the gorgeous
+magnificence of the carriage of the Duchess of Kent, the mother of
+the Queen. The masses of gold lace by which the hammercloth and the
+attendants' liveries were ornamented had an extremely rich effect. Her
+grace seemed highly delighted with the ceremony, and nothing could be
+more gratifying than her reception, unless indeed it was that of the
+Queen herself. Every where was the Duchess cheered, and she returned
+the people's greetings by smiling and bowing in the blandest and most
+courtly manner.
+
+"The Duchess of Gloucester, and the Dukes of Cambridge and Sussex,
+followed next in order, and each was received with the same warm and
+enthusiastic cheers.
+
+"After these came the Queen's bargemaster and his assistants,
+forty-eight in number. The blunt sailor-like appearance of these
+men, some of whose weather-beaten countenances gave token of years
+of service, excited much interest. When Peter Parley saw them they
+recalled to his mind the anecdote of the saving of the life of the
+Princess Victoria, and he wondered which of the bluff sailors it was
+who had been so ready and so thoughtful.
+
+"The Royal carriages now approached. These were twelve in number, each
+drawn by six splendid horses, and accompanied by two grooms walking
+on each side. As they passed in succession, the interest became more
+intense as her Majesty drew nigh. The beauty of the maids of honour,
+the courtly bearing and gay dresses of the lords in waiting, which the
+carriages conveyed, the richness of the trappings, and the beauty and
+spirit of the horses, excited the intensest admiration. At length the
+twelfth carriage passed, and the most breathless interest prevailed. A
+squadron of Life Guards and a mounted band preceded the military staff
+and aides-de-camps, including some of the most distinguished military
+officers of the day. The Royal Huntsmen next appeared, followed by
+six of her Majesty's horses, with rich trappings, each led by two
+grooms. Though nothing could be finer than the appearance of these
+most beautiful animals the amount of attention which they received was
+but small, for close behind, preceded by one hundred Yeomen of the
+Guard, appeared the state coach, drawn by eight cream-coloured horses,
+attended by a Yeoman of the Guard at each wheel, and two footmen at
+each door, conveying
+
+    "THE QUEEN.
+
+"The cheering by which other parts of the cavalcade had been received
+was loud and heartfelt, but no sooner did the young and amiable Queen
+make her appearance, than the loudest and most enthusiastic plaudits
+rent the air. The ladies in the balconies waved their handkerchiefs,
+the people cheered, peal after peal of joyful applause came thundering
+upon the ear, shout followed shout, and acclamation burst after
+acclamation, until the music of the military bands and the discharges
+of the artillery were completely drowned in the roar of popular
+applause. The Queen seemed to enjoy the exciting scene, and continued
+bowing on all sides in the most graceful and engaging manner.
+
+"The excitement which prevailed along the line of the procession, as
+her Majesty approached, was, Peter Parley was assured, great beyond
+description. _Then_ were the rich trappings of the Foreign Ambassadors,
+the magnificence of the Royal carriages, the dazzling scarlet uniforms
+of the watermen, the magnificently caparisoned horses, the rich
+uniforms of the great officers of state, and even the beauty and
+attractions of the maids of honour, all forgotten. There was one and
+one only thought of--it was THE QUEEN. The struggle was to look upon
+her, and the object of each individual present seemed to be--
+
+    "'How and which way he might bestow himself,
+    To be regarded in her sun-bright eye.'
+
+"Never, Peter Parley will venture to say, did British monarch
+receive more heartfelt greeting, or pass under brighter auspices within
+the portals of Westminster Abbey."
+
+[Illustration: _Madeley lith. 3, Wellington St. Strand._
+
+THE PROCESSION APPROACHING WESTMINSTER ABBEY]
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+PARLEY DESCRIBES THE CORONATION IN WESTMINSTER ABBEY.
+
+
+"AS soon as the Queen, the great object of attraction, had passed,
+Peter Parley and his friend hurried into the Abbey to resume their
+places. As they entered they encountered the most deafening and
+enthusiastic plaudits, to which the announcement of her Majesty's
+arrival within the Abbey gave rise.
+
+"While her Majesty was undergoing the ceremony of robing, in the
+magnificent room which Peter Parley has already told you about, the
+procession, which forms part of the ceremony within the Abbey, was
+arranged in order.
+
+"Every thing having been prepared, her Majesty made her appearance
+habited in a rich mantle and train of crimson velvet, over a dress
+of satin wrought with gold, and the assembled thousands of her loyal
+subjects rose with one accord, and welcomed their Sovereign in a manner
+which must have thrilled the heart of the greatest potentate who ever
+swayed a sceptre. The band of instrumental music swelled forth their
+richest notes, and the choir gave magnificent effect to the anthem:--
+
+"'I was glad when they said unto me we will go into the house of the
+Lord. For there is the Seat of Judgment, even the Seat of the House
+of David. O pray for the peace of Jerusalem; they shall prosper that
+love Thee. Peace be within thy walls and prosperity within thy palaces.
+Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it
+was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end.
+Amen.'
+
+"As the procession moved slowly up the Abbey, the effect was most
+magnificent; the splendour of the pageantry, the beauty of the young
+Queen, whose mild blue eyes shone scarcely less brightly than the
+circlet of diamonds which encompassed her beauteous brow, and the
+rich effect of the music, as it reverberated among the aisles of the
+building, almost made Peter Parley think it was a scene in fairy-land,
+or one of those bright and unsubstantial visions which flit across the
+mind in our dreams.
+
+"The Queen having advanced to a chair which had been provided for her,
+about midway between the throne and the south side of the altar, the
+noblemen and others who composed the procession took up the stations
+which had been appropriated for them; the choir in the mean time
+continuing to chaunt the anthem.
+
+"The cadences of the anthem had scarcely died away among the aisles
+of the Abbey, when Peter Parley was startled at the sound of youthful
+voices, singing at their highest pitch. He directed his eyes towards
+the spot whence the sound proceeded, and found it was the Westminster
+scholars, who, according to an ancient and established custom, greeted
+their sovereign with a kind of chaunt, 'Vivat Victoria Regina!'
+
+"At the conclusion of this chaunt, which, though not the most
+harmonious, struck Peter Parley as certainly not the least interesting
+part of the greeting, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Lord
+Chancellor, the Lord Great Chamberlain, and the Earl Marshal, advanced
+and commenced the ceremony of the Coronation by what is called the
+Recognition; that is, advancing towards each side of the theatre in
+succession, they thus addressed the assembled spectators:--
+
+"'Sirs, we here present unto you Queen Victoria, the undoubted Queen of
+this realm; wherefore all you who are come this day to do your homage,
+are you willing to do the same?'
+
+"As the question was repeated on each side, the Abbey rang with the
+joyful response 'God save Queen Victoria!' A flourish of trumpets added
+to the enthusiasm of the scene; and even Peter Parley, carried away
+by the feeling of the moment, shouted forth his acclamations, in as
+heartfelt a manner as the most devoted of her Majesty's subjects.
+
+"During this part of the ceremony, the Queen remained standing by the
+chair on which she had at first taken her seat, and turned her face
+successively toward that part of the Abbey to which the question was
+addressed.
+
+"When the enthusiastic cheering subsided her Majesty resumed her seat,
+and preparations were made for that part of the altar service called
+the Oblation. The Bible, the chalice, and patina, were placed upon the
+altar, before which, two officers of the wardrobe spread a rich cloth
+of gold, and laid upon it a cushion for her Majesty to kneel upon. The
+Bishops who were to be engaged in the service also advanced and put on
+their copes.
+
+"Every thing being ready, her Majesty, supported by two bishops and
+preceded by the great officers of state bearing the regalia, approached
+the altar, and kneeling upon the cushion, made the various offerings.
+
+"The first, which consisted of a pall or altar-cloth of gold, was
+delivered by an officer of the wardrobe to the Lord Chamberlain, and
+by him handed to the Lord Great Chamberlain, who delivered it to the
+Queen. Her Majesty then gave it to the Archbishop of Canterbury, by
+whom it was placed on the altar.
+
+"An ingot of gold, a pound in weight, was then handed by the Treasurer
+of the Household to the Lord Great Chamberlain, by whom it was placed
+in the hands of the Queen, who delivered it to the Archbishop, by whom
+it was put into the oblation basin, and set upon the altar.
+
+"The Archbishop then said the following prayer, the Queen remaining
+kneeling before the altar:--
+
+"'O God, who dwellest in the high and holy place, with them also
+who are of an humble spirit, look down mercifully upon this thy
+servant Victoria our Queen, here humbling herself before Thee at thy
+footstool, and graciously receive these oblations, which, in humble
+acknowledgment of thy sovereignty over all, and of thy great bounty
+unto her in particular, she hath now offered up unto Thee, through
+JESUS CHRIST, our only mediator and advocate. Amen.'
+
+"At the conclusion of this prayer her Majesty returned to the chair on
+the south side of the altar, and the whole of the regalia, except the
+swords, were delivered to the archbishop and placed on the altar.
+
+"The Litany was then read by the Bishops of Worcester and St. David's,
+which was followed by the Communion Service, previous to which, the
+choir sang the _Sanctus_:--
+
+    "'Holy! Holy! Holy! Lord God of Hosts;
+    Heaven and earth are full of thy Glory;
+    Glory be to Thee, O Lord, most High. Amen.'
+
+"At the conclusion of the service the Bishop of London ascended the
+pulpit, which had been placed opposite her Majesty's chair of state,
+and preached the sermon. His lordship's text was chosen from 2 Chron.
+xxxiv. 31,--'And the King stood in his place and made a covenant before
+the Lord, to walk after the Lord, and to keep his commandments, and his
+testimonies, and his statutes, with all his heart, and with all his
+soul, to perform the words of the covenant which are written in this
+book.'
+
+"At the conclusion of the sermon, to which the Queen was deeply
+attentive, the Archbishop of Canterbury advanced toward her Majesty,
+and standing before her, thus addressed her:--
+
+"'Madam, is your Majesty willing to take the oath?'
+
+"The Queen answered, 'I am willing.'
+
+"The Archbishop then ministered these questions; and the Queen answered
+each question severally, as follows:--
+
+"_Archbishop._--Will you solemnly promise and swear to govern the
+people of this United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and the
+dominions thereto belonging, according to the statutes in Parliament
+agreed on, and the respective laws and customs of the same?
+
+"_Queen._--I solemnly promise so to do.
+
+"_Archbishop._--Will you to the utmost of your power cause law and
+justice, in mercy, to be executed in all your judgments?
+
+"_Queen._--I will.
+
+"_Archbishop._--Will you to the utmost of your power maintain the laws
+of God, the true profession of the Gospel, and the Protestant reformed
+religion established by law? And will you maintain and preserve
+inviolably the settlement of the United Church of England and Ireland,
+and the doctrine, worship, discipline, and government thereof, as
+by law established within England and Ireland, and the territories
+thereunto belonging? And will you preserve unto the bishops and clergy
+of England and Ireland, and to the churches there committed to their
+charge, all such rights and privileges as by law do or shall appertain
+to them, or any of them?
+
+"_Queen._--All this I promise to do.
+
+"The Queen then proceeded to the altar, attended by the various
+functionaries, who had taken up their stations about her, and kneeling
+before it, laid her right hand on the great Bible, and, in the sight of
+her people, took a solemn oath, to observe the promises which she had
+made, saying--
+
+"'The things which I have here before promised, I will perform and
+keep--So help me, God.'
+
+"Her Majesty then kissed the book and set her royal sign manual to a
+copy of the oath. After this solemn ceremony she returned to the chair,
+and kneeling at her fald-stool, the choir sang, with the most touching
+effect, the magnificent hymn--
+
+    "'Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire,
+    And warm them with thy Heav'nly fire;
+    Thou who th' Anointing Spirit art,
+    To us thy sevenfold gifts impart;
+    Let thy bless'd unction from above
+    Be to us comfort, life, and love;
+    Enable with celestial light
+    The weakness of our mortal sight:
+    Anoint our hearts, and cheer our face,
+    With the abundance of thy grace.
+    Keep far our foes, give peace at home--
+    Where Thou dost dwell no ill can come.
+    Teach us to know the Father, Son,
+    And Spirit of both, to be but one,
+    That so through ages all along,
+    This may be our triumphant song;
+    In Thee, O Lord, we make our boast,
+    Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.'"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+PARLEY CONTINUES HIS DESCRIPTION OF THE CORONATION IN WESTMINSTER ABBEY.
+
+
+"THE ceremony of anointing followed next in order--Her Majesty having
+been divested of her crimson robe by the Mistress of the Robes, took
+her seat in St. Edward's chair, and the Dean of Westminster taking from
+the altar the ampulla, containing the consecrated oil, and pouring some
+of it into the anointing spoon, proceeded to anoint her Majesty on the
+crown of the head and on the palm of both hands, in the form of a
+cross--four knights of the garter holding over her head a rich cloth of
+gold.
+
+"The Dean of Westminster then took the spurs from the altar and
+delivered them to the Lord Great Chamberlain, who, kneeling before her
+Majesty, presented them to her, after which she forthwith sent them
+back to the altar. The Viscount Melbourne, who carried the sword of
+state, then delivered it to the Lord Chamberlain, receiving in lieu
+thereof, another sword, in a scabbard of purple velvet, which his
+lordship delivered to the archbishop, who laid it on the altar. After
+a short prayer the archbishop took the sword from off the altar, and,
+accompanied by several other bishops, delivered it into the Queen's
+right hand. Then rising up her Majesty proceeded to the altar and
+offered the sword in the scabbard, delivering it to the archbishop,
+who placed it on the altar. Lord Melbourne then redeemed it by payment
+of one hundred shillings, and having unsheathed it, bore it during the
+remainder of the ceremony.
+
+"The most important part of the ceremonial now approached: the Dean
+of Westminster having received the imperial mantle of cloth of gold,
+lined or furred with ermine, proceeded to invest her Majesty, who stood
+up for the purpose. Having resumed her seat, the orb with the cross
+was brought from the altar, and delivered into her Majesty's hand by
+the archbishop; having in like manner been invested with the ring,
+the sceptre and the rod with the dove were placed in each hand. The
+archbishop, then, standing before the altar, took the crown into his
+hands, and again laying it on the altar said--
+
+"'O God, who crownest thy faithful servants with mercy and loving
+kindness, look down upon this thy servant Victoria, our Queen, who now
+in lowly devotion boweth her head to thy divine majesty; and as thou
+dost this day set a crown of pure gold upon her head, so enrich her
+royal heart with thy heavenly grace, and crown her with all princely
+virtues, which may adorn the high station wherein thou hast placed her,
+through JESUS CHRIST, our LORD, to whom be honour and glory for ever
+and ever. Amen.'
+
+"The Royal Crown was then brought from the altar and placed on her
+Majesty's head.
+
+"At this instant the most deafening and enthusiastic cries of 'GOD SAVE
+THE QUEEN!' rose from every part of the Abbey, the peers and peeresses
+put on their coronets, the bishops their caps, and the spectators
+cheered and waved their handkerchiefs. The guns in the park, and at the
+tower, fired a royal salute.
+
+"After a short prayer by the archbishop, the choir sang an anthem, and
+the Dean of Westminster taking the Bible, which had been carried in
+the procession, from off the altar, presented it to her Majesty, who,
+having received it, delivered it again to the archbishop, and it was
+returned to the altar.
+
+"Having thus been solemnly anointed, and crowned, and invested with
+all the ensigns of royalty, the archbishop solemnly blessed the Queen,
+the rest of the bishops and the peers following every part of the
+benediction with a loud and hearty 'Amen.'
+
+"The _Te Deum_ was then sung by the choir, and her Majesty passing to
+the recognition chair in which she first sat, received the homage of
+the peers.
+
+"The bishops first approached, and, kneeling before the Queen, the
+archbishop pronounced the words of homage; the others repeating them
+after him, and, kissing her Majesty's hand, retired.
+
+"The Royal Dukes, ascending the steps of the throne, took off their
+coronets, and kneeling, repeated the words of homage, and then,
+touching the crown on her Majesty's head, kissed her on the left cheek
+and retired.
+
+"The other Peers then performed their homage, each in succession
+touching the crown and kissing her Majesty's hand.
+
+"The monotony of this ceremony was relieved by one little incident
+which evinced much kindness on the part of her Majesty. As one of the
+peers (Lord Rolle), who is a very aged and infirm man, approached the
+throne, he stumbled and fell back from the second step upon the floor.
+He was immediately raised, and supported by two noble lords; when he
+again approached, her Majesty, who beheld the occurrence with emotion,
+rose from her throne and advanced to meet him, extending her hand to
+him, and expressed much concern for the accident. This little trait of
+genuine goodness of heart was warmly cheered.
+
+[Illustration: _Madeley lith. 3, Wellington St. Strand._
+
+HER MAJESTY'S STATE CARRIAGE.]
+
+"Peter Parley was highly amused at the scene which was enacted behind
+the throne, where one of her Majesty's Household was busily engaged
+scattering the coronation medals. Peers, Peeresses, Aldermen, and
+Military officers engaging warmly in the scramble and eagerly clutching
+at the coveted memorials.
+
+"When the homage was concluded, her Majesty descended from the throne
+and, proceeding to the altar, partook of the Holy Sacrament of the
+Lord's Supper.
+
+"The procession was then marshaled in the same order in which it had
+entered the Abbey. The rich effect of the costumes was however much
+heightened by the coronets of the peers.
+
+"After a short stay in the robing rooms, the procession for the return
+to Buckingham palace was formed, and the crowned Sovereign left
+Westminster Abbey amid the enthusiastic greeting of her faithful and
+devoted subjects.
+
+"Of course, there were many poems and songs made on this joyful
+occasion. The best which Peter Parley has seen is one by Charles Swain,
+which will form a very appropriate conclusion to this chapter.
+
+
+"'CORONATION SONG.
+
+I.
+
+    "'Thou music of a nation's voice,
+      Thou grace of old Britannia's throne,
+    Thou light round which all hearts rejoice,
+      God save and guard thee, England's own!
+    While thousand, thousand hearts are thine,
+      And Britain's blessing rests on thee,
+    Pure may thy crown, Victoria, shine,
+      And all thy subjects _lovers_ be!
+
+
+II.
+
+    "'Come, wives! from cottage--home, and field!
+      Come, daughters! oh, ye lovely, come!
+    Bid every tongue its homage yield,
+      Sound, trumpets, sound; and peal the drum!
+    GOD save the Queen! ring high, ye bells!
+      Swell forth a people's praise afar;
+    She's crowned the acclaiming cannon tells!
+      The Queen!--GOD save the Queen! hurrah!
+
+
+III.
+
+    "'Long may she live to prove the best
+      And noblest crown a Queen can wear
+    Is that a people's love hath blessed,
+      Whose happiness is in her care!
+    GOD bless the Queen! ring sweet, ye bells!
+      Swell forth old England's joy afar,
+    She's crowned the exulting cannon tells;
+      The Queen!--GOD bless the Queen! hurrah!'"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+PARLEY GIVES AN ACCOUNT OF THE ILLUMINATIONS, AND OF THE GRAND DISPLAY
+OF FIRE-WORKS.
+
+
+"AFTER the splendid pageant, which had rivetted the attention of every
+one during its continuance, had passed away, the fair in Hyde Park
+seemed to be the great centre of popular attraction.
+
+"Though pretty well tired out with the unusual exertion of the last
+day or two, Peter Parley proceeded to Hyde Park to see what was going
+on there. He had come across the Atlantic to see the show, and he was
+determined to see all that was to be seen.
+
+"How different an aspect did the park now present to what it did when
+Peter Parley visited it but two days before! The fair was now begun
+in good earnest, and there was no end to the booths for the sale of
+fancy goods of every description. Tents for the supply of articles of
+more substantial enjoyment were in equal abundance, and every one of
+them seemed to be completely crowded. When Peter Parley had wandered
+about the outskirts of the fair for some time, he saw a great many
+people standing looking at a large erection which seemed more like a
+house than a tent. He soon recognised the theatre of Mr. Richardson,
+which he had seen erecting when he first visited the park; as he drew
+near he saw that the people were laughing and enjoying the antics of a
+clown or merry-andrew, who was dressed in a parti-coloured dress, and
+was cutting the most ridiculous capers, to the no small delight of the
+spectators.
+
+"Peter Parley loves a little fun, and can laugh as loud as any one at
+innocent amusement, so he got close up to the booth to see how the
+clown acquitted himself.
+
+"'Come along, old boy!--this way, this way, father Adam!' cried the
+fellow to Peter Parley, when he saw him advancing--'make way there,
+ladies and gentlemen!' he continued, leaping right over the head of a
+countryman who was gazing at him with intense delight, at the same time
+knocking his hat over his eyes so as completely to blindfold him. In
+an instant the clown stood beside Peter Parley, and was hurrying him
+up the steps of the theatre before he knew what he was about. Peter
+Parley, however, did not relish such a summary mode of introduction, so
+he disengaged himself from the fellow's grasp and moved to another part
+of the fair, amid the rude laughter of the by-standers.
+
+"Peter Parley was amazed at the number of round-abouts and swings of
+every description, which beat the air and performed their evolutions
+with almost incessant rapidity. Some of them in the form of boats,
+which in the course of their movements rose and sunk alternately so as
+to imitate the motion of a vessel on the water, seemed particularly
+ingenious and appeared to be in constant request. Donkey races, too,
+lent their attractions, and altogether such a scene of gaiety Peter
+Parley never witnessed.
+
+"As long as daylight lasted these out-of-door amusements seemed to
+lose little or none of their attractions. When it became too dark for
+their performance people crowded into the theatres and tents, or waited
+patiently for the grand display of fireworks which was to take place
+at a late hour in the evening.
+
+"By way of making the most of his time Peter Parley got into a hackney
+coach and drove through the principal parts of the town to see the
+illuminations, which it was expected were to be on a grand scale.
+
+"All along the line of the procession the display was most splendid,
+and though many of the exhibitions of private individuals were
+beautiful and tasteful, the public offices certainly carried off the
+palm. Peter Parley thinks he never saw such a brilliant display as that
+at the Ordnance Office, in Pall Mall, the whole front of which was one
+blaze of light. Peter Parley was told that there were no fewer than
+sixty thousand lamps employed in the devices!
+
+"The Admiralty, Somerset House, and the Horse Guards, shared, with the
+Ordnance Office, the attention of the evening. The former displayed a
+magnificent imperial crown surmounting an anchor, with the union flag
+on each side in coloured lamps. It had also an inscription, 'God save
+the Queen.'
+
+"Somerset House, in which are several of the public offices, excited
+a good deal of attention from a novelty in the art of illumination.
+Instead of being lighted up with oil, the coloured lamps were
+illuminated with gas, which added greatly to their brilliancy and
+effect. The Horse Guards was, also, lit up in the same manner, and was
+equally attractive.
+
+"There were, besides these, hundreds of others well worth looking at
+and remembering too; but so many attractions offered themselves to his
+notice on every side, that Peter Parley does not know which to tell you
+about.
+
+"After being satisfied with gazing at the illuminations, Peter Parley
+again proceeded to the Park, as the time approached for the grand
+display of fireworks.
+
+"So dense was the crowd of eager spectators, that it was with
+difficulty that Peter Parley could gain access to the Park. He
+succeeded at length, however, thanks to the virtue of perseverance,
+which has done much for him in the course of his life.
+
+"The display commenced by the discharge of what is called a maroon
+battery, which fired off successively a series of immense crackers,
+each giving a report like the loudest cannon. The commencement of the
+spectacle was hailed with loud cheers by the assemblage, many of whom
+had waited several hours, and were beginning to lose all patience at
+the delay.
+
+"This startling display was immediately followed by an exhibition of
+coloured fire, and four balloon mortars shooting forth serpents and
+squibs of every variety of colour. The beautiful variety of tints,
+blue, green, red, and purple, to which some of these gave rise when
+they exploded in the air, was most magnificent.
+
+"For two whole hours did the gentlemen who had the direction of this
+exhibition continue the display, each successive variety vieing in
+beauty and brilliancy with that by which it was preceded, to the
+delight of all beholders, many of whom, and Peter Parley among others,
+never witnessed such a grand sight. The young Queen, it was said,
+enjoyed the splendour and beauty of the sight from the palace window,
+with as much interest and delight as any of her subjects.
+
+"It was almost one o'clock before the fireworks were concluded, and
+nearly an hour later before Peter Parley could make his way home; and
+the sun rose high in heaven before he awoke next morning.
+
+"Peter Parley must not omit to mention that all the theatres and places
+of public amusement were, by her Majesty's command, open to the public
+free; of course they were all filled, but Peter Parley did not visit
+any of them.
+
+"It pleased Peter Parley to hear that the poor and the unfortunate were
+no less kindly attended to. In almost every parish committees were
+formed by the inhabitants for the purpose of collecting subscriptions
+and arranging matters for regaling the poor and the children attending
+the charity schools, so that to all the 28th of June should be a day
+of rejoicing. Nor were the unfortunate inhabitants of the prisons
+forgotten. In all those belonging to the city, they were each allowed
+an ample repast, and in some of the others the great brewers supplied
+them with a good allowance of ale or porter."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+PARLEY ATTENDS A REVIEW IN HYDE PARK, AND RELATES SOME PASSAGES IN THE
+LIFE OF MARSHAL SOULT.--CONCLUSION.
+
+
+"PETER PARLEY had begun to recover from the fatigue which he had
+undergone, and was thinking of once more crossing the Atlantic, and
+returning to the enjoyment of his quiet home, when one morning at
+breakfast, Major Meadows announced that there was to be a grand review
+in Hyde Park, on a scale of such splendour, that Peter Parley must see
+it before he left town.
+
+"The day fortunately turned out one of the most beautiful that could be
+conceived, and the crowds of persons who assembled to witness the grand
+military display, were very great. It was estimated by some of the
+military officers, who are accustomed to form pretty accurate notions
+of vast bodies of men, that at eleven o'clock in the forenoon, there
+were not less than two hundred thousand spectators present, in and
+around the Park.
+
+[Illustration: MARSHAL SOULT'S STATE CARRIAGE.]
+
+"Early in the day the troops began to arrive, and by ten o'clock all
+the regiments to be reviewed were on the ground. Shortly after, the
+Duke of Wellington, Lord Hill, and a great number of English military
+officers, as well as Marshal Soult, and all the foreign ambassadors,
+attended by their brilliant suites, arrived, and were every where
+received with great cheering.
+
+"At half-past eleven her Majesty arrived accompanied by her suite in
+four carriages, each drawn by four horses, and escorted by a detachment
+of Life Guards. She was attended by her Aides-de-Camp in full military
+uniform. The arrival of the royal party was announced by a discharge
+of cannon, the band striking up the national anthem, and the soldiers
+presenting arms as her Majesty approached.
+
+"The great attraction among the foreign visitants was Marshal Soult,
+who, as usual, excited much attention. As he rode close past the spot
+where Peter Parley and his friend Major Meadows had taken their stand,
+his stirrup broke, and we feared he would have fallen from his horse,
+but the Marshal is a good rider, and quickly recovered. Peter Parley
+afterwards saw a curious anecdote in the newspapers connected with this
+accident. On learning what had happened, Sir H. Vivian immediately
+dispatched a messenger to the saddlers to the Ordnance, to procure a
+pair of stirrups to replace the broken one. It happened, singularly
+enough, that the Saddlers had in their possession the stirrups which
+Napoleon used in many of his campaigns; so that Marshal Soult, during
+this review, actually did what was next to standing in his master's
+shoes!
+
+"Seeing that Peter Parley was very much interested in the Marshal,
+Major Meadows, who had been engaged in the Peninsular war, and had
+fought against him in some of his most celebrated battles, continued,
+when our attention was not completely occupied by the evolutions of the
+troops, to relate many most interesting anecdotes of his distinguished
+career.
+
+"'Marshal Soult,' said Major Meadows, 'is a very singular man, Mr.
+Parley, and like many of Napoleon's generals, rose from the very
+humblest rank. He entered the army as a private soldier, and, after
+serving some time in this capacity in a royal regiment of infantry, he
+became sub-lieutenant of grenadiers.
+
+"'He afterwards rose through the various ranks, till in 1796 he was
+appointed general of brigade, and sent to join the army of Italy. Here
+he soon won for himself new laurels, and his fame attracted the notice
+of Napoleon, who henceforth honoured him with his personal esteem.
+
+"'On the eve of the memorable battle of Austerlitz, in which he was
+entrusted with the command of the centre of the army, Napoleon, as
+usual, called his marshals together to explain his plans to them, and
+to give them instructions for their guidance. To the others he was
+minute in his directions, in proportion to the importance of the posts
+assigned to them. When he came to Soult, however, he merely said, 'as
+for you, Soult, I have only to say, act as you always do.'
+
+"'In the midst of the battle, an aide-de-camp arrived with an order
+that the Marshal should instantly push forward and gain certain
+heights. 'I will obey the Emperor's commands as soon as I can,' replied
+Soult, 'but this is not the proper time.' Napoleon, enraged at the
+delay, sent a second messenger, with more peremptory orders. The second
+aide-de-camp arrived just as the Marshal was putting his column in
+motion. The manoeuvre had been delayed because Soult observed that his
+opponents were extending their lines, and, consequently, weakening
+their centre. Complete success attended the attack. Napoleon, who, from
+the elevated position which he occupied, saw the attack, instantly
+perceived the reason for the delay, and the brilliancy of the movement,
+and riding up to Soult, complimented him in the presence of his staff,
+who, but a few minutes before, had seen him angry at the supposed
+disobedience, saying, 'Marshal, I account you the ablest tactician in
+my empire!'
+
+"'After the battle of Eylau, Napoleon was very much discouraged at
+the loss he had sustained, and wished to fall back, so as to form a
+junction with the other corps of his army. Against this resolution
+Soult warmly protested, telling the Emperor, that from what he had
+seen, he expected the enemy would retreat during the night, and thus
+leave the French army in possession of the field. Napoleon complied
+with the Marshal's advice, and every thing took place just as he had
+foretold. So that it was to the sagacity of Soult that the French army
+owes the honour of the victory of Eylau.
+
+"'In 1808, Soult, now Duke of Dalmatia, was entrusted with the command
+of the army in Spain, and his first movement was to pursue the gallant
+Sir John Moore in his memorable retreat towards Corunna. Under the
+walls of that town he engaged the British army, but, after a sharp
+contest, was completely repulsed. The British general, however, was
+killed in the action, and was buried in the citadel, his corpse wrapped
+in a military cloak, and the guns of his enemy paying his funeral
+honours. Marshal Soult, with that noble feeling which can only exist in
+minds of true greatness erected a monument to his memory, near the spot
+where he so nobly fell.
+
+"'To the Duke of Dalmatia Napoleon entrusted the command of the army,
+when the defeat of the French at Vittoria had placed the Peninsula
+at the mercy of the Duke of Wellington. After a series of conflicts,
+which covered the British army and its able general with glory, Soult,
+finding the cause of his imperial master hopeless, gave up the contest
+and returned to Paris.
+
+"'Soult afterwards fought at Waterloo, but without that distinction
+which might have been expected from his old renown. After this battle,
+which for ever stamped the fate of Napoleon, and showed Wellington the
+greatest general of the age, Soult retired to the country, and lived
+for some years in seclusion. He was however recalled, and created a
+peer of France by Charles X.'
+
+"Such was Major Meadows' account of this celebrated man. To Peter
+Parley he was an object of great interest, because his presence
+recalled the remembrance of some of the spirit-stirring events in
+which he had been a participator; not that Peter Parley is an admirer
+of military genius or delights in military renown. He would rather do
+honour to the humblest benefactor of the human race than the greatest
+general that ever lived. With him the glory of James Watt, the inventor
+of the steam-engine, far outshines the lustre of a Soult, or a Ney,
+or an Alexander! and he would rather be the author of the Waverley
+Novels than be crowned with the blood-stained laurels of a Napoleon or
+a Wellington!
+
+"Peter Parley is one of those who hope the time is now come when the
+sound of war will be heard no more, and nations, instead of wasting
+their energies in deeds of blood, will strive to rival each other only
+in the peaceful pursuits of commerce and the arts."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+"Peter Parley must now bid his young friends good bye! When he meets
+them again he hopes to find them all equally willing to be pleased and
+as patient and attentive to the tales which he tells them, as they have
+been to his 'VISIT TO LONDON DURING THE CORONATION OF QUEEN VICTORIA.'"
+
+[Illustration]
+
+
+    FINIS.
+
+
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+
+
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+
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+
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+
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+
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+
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+same time a love for the Holy volume and a taste for natural history.
+It contains sixteen nice pictures of the most prominent subjects, by S.
+Williams."--_Literary Gazette._
+
+
+CHARLES TILT, FLEET STREET.
+
+
+
+
+LIST OF PLATES.
+
+
+      I.--THE CORONATION OF QUEEN VICTORIA.
+     II.--HER MAJESTY LEAVING BUCKINGHAM PALACE.
+    III.--MARSHAL SOULT'S STATE CARRIAGE.
+     IV.--HER MAJESTY'S STATE CARRIAGE.
+      V.--THE PROCESSION APPROACHING WESTMINSTER ABBEY.
+     VI.--HER MAJESTY LEAVING HER PRIVATE APARTMENTS IN
+            WESTMINSTER ABBEY.
+
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Transcriber's Notes:
+
+Obvious punctuation errors repaired.
+
+
+
+
+
+End of Project Gutenberg's Peter Parley's Visit to London, by Peter Parley
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 43995 ***