under their command, and numerous desertions nightly took place. La Torre had refused either to resign the chief command, or to march against the Independents. Care had been taken, how ever, to guard against an attack on Puerto Cavello. The outer town had been nearly destroyed, and the inhabitants ordered into the city, which had been entrenched and otherwise strongly fortified, so that it was likely to sustain a siege of considerable

length, more especially as provisions were abundant; and all persons who had more in their possession than was requisite for immediate use, were ordered to deliver them into the king's stores. General Bolivar had sent to desire a conference by commissioners on the possibility of establishing a new armistice. It took place at St Esteban, about a league distant from Puerto Cavello, but without leading to any pacific issue.

JULY.

Coronation of King George the Fourth. Our last Number contained an official detail of the ceremonial observed at the coronation of our Gracious Sovereign; and we now proceed to collect such other particulars connected with this splendid solemnity, as we deem worthy of being put upon re cord :

It is ascertained that 220 Peers, 232 Peeresses, and 40 Privy Councillors, applied for privileged tickets, to the extent of five persons each, for admission at the coronation, to Westminster Hall. About 200 Peers and Privy Councillors sat formally down to the banquet. The numbers that were accommodated in the hall, upon the whole, must therefore have amounted to upwards of 2460.

The timber work of the Abbey, Westminster Hall, the platform, and the barziers, was 60,000 square feet, or 1500 loads.The timber used in erecting theatres and stages indirectly connected with the coronation, has been estimated at 80,000 square feet. The matting used on account of the coronation was 14,000 yards.

The Coronation Sermon.-The sermon was preached by his Grace the Archbishop of York. The text on which the Right Reverend Prelate addressed his congrega tion was taken from 2 Samuel, chap. xxiii. verses 3 and 4.

"The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, he that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God; and he shall be as the light of the morning when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds; as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain."

His Grace began by stating, that this text was deserving of the most serious consideration at the hands of the audience he was addressing, not merely on account of its being the declaration of a dying king, but also the inspiration of a divine prophet. He then entered into a dissertation upon the mutual advantages which accrue both

to the governor and the governed from good government. He stated that one and the chief point to produce good govern ment was a strict attendance to universal justice on the part of the governor-not merely to justice between man and man, but between nation and nation. The records of history, both ancient and modern, fully proved that monarchs in general applied one code of morality to men, and another to nations. Now, a good ruler ought to apply the same code to both; and unless he did so, the nation which he governed could not be happy. After pointing out the dangers which arose from licentiousness in the people and tyranny in the monarch, he proceeded to draw the picture of a patriot king, whose sole aim was the good of his people, and who, in seeking to accomplish that good, always with. held his favour from the base and licen tious, and exhibited in his own person an example of those virtues which he cherished in others. If a monarch fully accom plished that object, he would not be overpaid for his exertions by the largest revenues, inasmuch as those exertions were calculated to produce the most lasting bene, fits to his people. England had very recently had a proof of the truth of that assertion; she had seen a religious ruler sit on the throne of her kings for more than half a century, and she had in consequence been established in strength amidst the wreck of surrounding nations. On the son and successor of that King she now rested her hopes in perfect security; and if the nation might take its experience of the past as a guage of his future conduct, they had good grounds for expecting that their hopes would be confirmed whenever they looked at the manner in which he had conducted himself during the late eventful struggles for the liberties of Europe. The Sovereign who was then about to undergo an important ceremony was not unknown to the cares of his station. When called to the helm of government by the unfortunate illness of his father, he found the country in a state of war, which threatened

to destroy its very existence. To his steadfastness, in a time of peril, it was owing, under God, that the war had been brought to a conclusion, glorious in the annals of history, and still more glorious in the moderation of the victor, who, so far from being subdued by ambition in good fortune, had confined himself to the attainment of that which was the best justifica tion of war-a secure and permanent peace. Under a Prince of such wisdom, both in peace and war, they had reason to look forward to all the blessings that were to be derived from a great and glorious policythey had reason to believe that he would place his glory in the moral integrity of the empire, and that he would in consequence reign in the hearts of a loyal and happy people. The Rev. Prelate concluded an address, by calling on the congregation to implore the Almighty to confirm the hopes which they already entertained regarding his present Majesty, to multiply every blessing on his head, and so to direct his counsels to the advancement of true religion, that he might long continue to hold the sceptre of righteousness in peace and security.

His Grace commenced the sermon at a quarter past twelve, and ended it at about a quarter to one.

During the sermon his Majesty sat in his chair on the south side of the area, opposite the pulpit; his supporters, the Deputy Lord Great Chamberlain, and the Noblemen carrying the swords, standing by him; the Archbishop of Canterbury took his seat in a purple velvet chair on the north side of the altar, Deputy Garter standing near him; the Bishops were on their benches, along the north side of the area; the Dean and Prebendaries of Westminster stood on the south side of the area, east of the King's chair, and near the altar. The published ceremonial stated, that the King would wear his cap of state during the sermon. His Majesty, however, forebore to do so.

The Challenge. The procession of the Champion, with the ceremony of the challenge, &c. are recorded at page 183 of our present volume. The following are the words of the challenge :-" If any person, of what degree soever, high or low, shall deny or gainsay our Sovereign Lord King George the Fourth of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, Son and next Heir to our Sovereign Lord King George the Third, the last King, deceased, to be right Heir to the Imperial Crown of this United Kingdom, or that he ought not to enjoy the same, here is his Champion, who saith that he li eth, and is a false traitor, being ready in person to combat with him, and in this quarrel will adventure his life against him on what day soever he shall be appointed."

The Banquet. The following is an ́accurate abstract of the dishes prepared for the coronation dinner :

Hot Dishes.-160 tureens of soup-80 of turtle-40 of rice and 40 vermicelli. 160 dishes of fish-comprising 80 of turbot-40 of trout-40 of salmon-160 hot joints-including 80 of venison-40 of roast beef, with three barons-40 of mutton and veal.-160 dishes of vegetables, including potatoes, peas, and cauliflowers.-480 sauce-boats-240 of lobster 120 butter-120 mint.

Cold Dishes.-80 dishes of braized ham 80 savory pies-80 dishes of daubed geese, two in each-80 dishes of savory cakes 80 pieces of beef braized-80 dishes of capons braized, two in each-1190 side dishes of various sorts-320 dishes of mounted pastry-320 dishes of small pastry-400 dishes of jellies and cream-160 dishes of shell-fish, 80 dishes of lobster, and 80 of cray fish-161 dishes of cold roast fowls-80 dishes of cold house lamb.

Total Quantities.-7442lbs. of beef7033lbs. of veal-2474lbs. of mutton-20 quarters of house lamb-55 quarters of grass lamb-160 lambs' sweet breads 380 cow heels-400 calves' feet-260lbs. of suet-160 geese-720 pullets and capons -1610 chickens-520 fowls for stock (hens)-1730lbs. of bacon-550lbs. of lard

912lbs. of butter-84 hundred of eggs. All these are independent of the eggs, butter, flour, and necessary articles in the pastry and confectionary departments; such as sugar, isinglass, fruits, &c.

The quantities of wines ordered for the banquet were-Champagne, 100 dozenBurgundy, 20 dozen-Claret, upwards of 200 dozen-Hock, 50 dozen-Moselle, 50 dozen-Madeira, 50 dozen-Sherry and Port, about 350 dozen-Iced Punch, 100 gallons. There were laid in each room 6794 dinner plates, 1406 soup plates, 1499 dessert plates, 388 large beer pitch

ers.

Coronation Dinners.-Besides the entertainments in Westminster Hall, there were provided dinners for immense numbers of persons in the adjoining rooms connected with the Houses of Lords and Commons. They, however, were for specified company.

The Painted Chamber had one cross and two long tables, with 170 covers. The tables were supplied as profusely and as tastefully by Mr Watier as those in the Hall. And the same may be said of all the other rooms where arrangements were made for dinner parties. The Painted Chamber was set apart for the Ambassadors and foreigners of distinction.

In the old House of Lords, there were also three tables, and the accommodations were also on a large scale, for there were 140 covers provided. And in the apart

ments known by the names of the members dining-rooms, there were furnished 48 covers; the Court of Exchequer, 200; Common Fleas, 36 covers; Judges' room, Exchequer Court, 22 covers; Exchequer Chamber, 70 covers; Judges' room, Comamon Pleas, 35 covers; Judges and Treasurer's rooms, King's Bench, 50 covers; matted gallery, 60 covers; Library, (com mon,) 20 covers; Committee rooms, No. 1, 35 covers; Room, No. 3, 25 covers; Room, No. 5, 36 covers; Room, No. 4, 28 covers; Nos. 10, 11, 12, &c. &c. upwards of 150 covers; in Mr Ley's house, 50 covers. There were preparations independent of the extensive accommodation in the Hall for the Peers, Privy Councillors, &c. to the amount of 360 in number. Mr Hutchins alone, the cut glass manufacturer to his Majesty, supplied about 8000, dozen wine-glasses, 4000 pint de canters, 2500 finger-glasses, 1200 salts, 128 sets of castors, &c. Metal spoons, with G. R. IV. engraved on them, superior plates and dishes provided to an equal extent, show how ample were the preparations made for the comfort of the company, and the honour of the occasion.

The dinners were prepared and arranged by Mr Watier, who set all the dishes himself. The head cook was Mr A. Wilmot; the confectionary was under Messrs. Benvil and Philip Watier; the pastry cooks were Messrs Le Clerc and Benvil, and they had under them about 130 cooks. The wine department was under the control and management of Mr Christie and Mr Steel.

The Scramble.As soon as his Majesty retired, according to immemorial custom, to the observance of which it was not at all necessary to open the doors of the Hail to the populace, a rush was made by hundreds of ladies and gentlemen, and persons of greater, dignity, to, plunder the Royal table. When this tumult had subsided, the hungry spectators, who had swarmed down from the galleries into the area of the Hall, began to occupy the tables which the guests had left, and the remainder of the dinner and dessert quickly disappeared. During the time that the company were thus amusing themselves, some of the chorister boys, probably the traditionary historians of the privilege, got upon the tables and began to demolish the ornaments. The plundering began by this brave assertion of ancient right and custom, and, in an instant became universal. Ladies were seen in every part beseeching the gentlemen to assist their fair endeavours to procure some memorial of the coronation saturnalia.

• The Coronation Medal.—A gold medal, in a red morocco case, was given to each of the Peers. The silver medals were not very profusely distributed. They were thrown among the boxes, and here and

there a smart contest took place for the prize. In the Earl Marshal's box two gentlemen were struggling for several minutes for a medal, which fell between them, but which, however, neither of them found. When they resumed their places, a young lady, who was a quiet spectator of the contest, put her hand down between the benches, and took up the medal, much to her own satisfaction and that of her family. The medals have on the obverse a head of his Majesty, in very high relief, crowned with laurel. The edge is raised, and incloses the inscription "Georgius IV. D. G. Britaniarum Rex, F. D." The reverse presents the King sitting in a chair, holding a baton in his hand; Victory crowns him in the presence of the three kingdoms, which are represented by three figures, the foremost holding the trident, for Britannia, the second Erin, distinguished by a shamrock in her helmet, and the third Scotland, known by her thistle in her helmet. The three figures rest their right hands on an altar, which, in a panel, has the snake with his tail in his mouth, signifying eternity; meaning that the union of the three was to be eternal.-Behind the figure of Victory are the emblems of Peace, Agriculture, and Commerce. Over the figures is the following inscription :-" Proprio jam jure animo paterno:" and beneath them are the words,

Inauguratus Die Julii xix. Anno M.DCCCXXI." The workmanship of the reverse is excellent. The figures are exquisitely cut, particularly that of his Majesty. The head on the obverse does not strike one as well done, though it is a good likeness.

Coronation Amusements.-After the procession had entered the Abbey, a magnificent balloon ascended from the Green Park. Mr Green, the aerial voyager, continued waving a flag to the people below as long as he was visible; he descended in safety about half-past one o'clock, in a field of uncut grass at South Mims. The concourse of spectators was immense.-The crowd then moved forward to Hyde Park, where a boat-race took place on the Serpentine River. The Theatres were all opened to the public gratis, and were crowded in every part. The sums paid by his Majesty for this public privilege are seven hundred and fifty pounds each to Covent Garden and Drury Lane; to the Haymarket and English Opera House, three hundred and fifty pounds each; and to Sadler's Wells, two hundred pounds.In the evening a splendid exhibition of fire-works took place in Hyde Park, prepared under the management of Sir W. Congreve. An illumination also took place at night; there were many brilliant transparencies, but it was an illumination of public offices and establishments, and of

particular individuals, rather than a general illumination.

The day was observed as one of festivity and rejoicing in almost every town or village in the united kingdom; and was celebrated by illuminations, public dinners, processions, military parades, ringing of bells, bonfires, &c. Edinburgh, and its vicinity, was brilliantly illuminated; but our limits will not permit us to particularise, nor indeed is it necessary, from the similarity of those festivities throughout the whole country.

Curious Circumstance.-During the banquet in Westminster Hall, a circumstance occurred which excited some speculation at the time, and which originated in the ignorant and ridiculous alarm of an Irish Countess, at seeing a Scotch gentleman, in the full Highland costume, leaning against a pillar in one of the galleries, and holding a pistol in his hand. The occurrences which followed will be best explained by the following letter to the Editor of one of the London Newspapers, by the gentleman who was the innocent cause of the lady's fears:

SIR. The alarm expressed by a lady on seeing me in Westminster Hall, on the day of his Majesty's coronation, and the publicity which her ladyship judged it be. coming to give to that expression of her alarm by means of your paper, I should have treated with the indifference due to such mock heroics in one of the fair sex, but that it has been copied into other papers, with comments and additions which seemed to me to reflect both upon my conduct and the Highland character. I trust, therefore, to your sense of justice for giving to the public the real history of the "mysterious circumstance," as it is termed. I had the honour of a Royal Duke's tickets for my daughter and myself to see his Majesty crowned, and I dressed upon that magnificent and solemn occasion in the full costume of a Highland chief, including of course a brace of pistols. I had travelled about 600 miles for that purpose, and in that very dress, with both pistols mounted, I had the honour to kiss my Sovereign's hand at the levee of Wednes day last, the 25th instant. Finding one of our seats in the hall occupied by a lady on our return to the lower gallery, (whence I had led my daughter down for refresh ments,) I, upon replacing her in her for. mer situation, stepped two or three rows farther back, and was thus deprived of a view of the mounted noblemen, by the anxiety of the ladies, which induced them to stand up as the horsemen entered, whereupon I moved nearer the upper end of the gallery, and had thereby a full view of his Majesty and the Royal Dukes upon his right hand. I had been standing in this position for some time, with one of the

pilasters in the fold of my right arm, and my breast pistol in that hand pointing towards the seat floor on which I stood, when the Champion entered, by which means I hung my body forward in any thing but "seemingly as if going to present it;" in fact, I had taken it into my hand in order to relieve my chest from the pressure of its weight, after having worn it slung till then from 4 o'clock. It was at this instant that a lady within a short distance exclaimed, "O Lord, O Lord, there is a gentleman with a pistol;" to which I answered, "The pistol will do you no harm, Madam;" but a second time she cried out, " O Lord, O Lord, there is a gentleman with a pistol." This last I answered by assuring her that the pistol was not loaded, but that I would "instantly retire to my place, since it seemed to give her uneasiness;" and was accordingly preparing to do so, when accosted by a young knight errant, and closely followed by two others likewise in plain clothes, one of whom, the first that began to mob me, for it merits no other term, laid his hand on my pistol, still grasped, under a loose glove, in my right hand; and, observing the numbers increase on his side, he asked me to deliver him the pistol. Need I say that, as Highland chieftain, I refused his demand with contempt? The second gentleman then urged his friend's suit, but was equally unsuccessful; a Knight of the Grand Cross was then introduced with all due honours, by the name of Sir Charles, into this petty contention, and he also desired me to give up my pistol to that gentleman; which I flatly refused, but added, that, understanding him by dress, &c. to be a Knight of the Grand Cross, he might have it if he chose, with all its responsibility; for, as I had already said, "it was not loaded, and pistols were a part of my national garb in full dress."

Again, Sir Charles desired me to "give it to that gentleman," but my answer was, "No, Sir Charles, you, as a soldier, may have it, as the honour of an officer and a man of family will be safe in your hands but positively no other shall, so take it or leave it, as you please." Soon after the Knight Grand Cross had come up, I perceived the gentleman in the scarlet frock, (who appeared to be sent by Lady A—y;) but his conduct was not prominently offensive in this affair. Sir Charles, after the conversation above referred to, took possession of that pistol, the other being always worn by me in its place; and the Knight Grand Cross, having first declined my turning up the pan to show that there was no powder in it, I told him I had a daughter under my protection in the Hall, and consequently proceeded in that direction, on his signifying a wish that I should re

tire, adding, "I have worn this dress at several Continental Courts, and it never was insulted before." I begged the favour of his card, (which he had not upon him,) at the same time gave him my name, and the hotel where I lodged, expressing an expectation to see him. Sir Charles at this time begged I would move forward, and I begged of him to proceed in that direction, and that I would follow; this he did a short way, and then halting, requested I would walk first. I said, "I had no objections if he followed:" however, he and the Squire remained a little behind, probably to examine the pistol I had lent Sir Charles, which the latter shortly came up with and restored. Soon after I was seated, I missed my glove, and returned in search of it to the close vicinity of Lady A., when her gallant squire pledged himself to fetch it to me if I retired to my seat, and he soon after redeemed his pledge; mean time Sir Charles must recollect that I spoke again to him, upon my way back, and that I then mentioned to him the name of a near connexion of mine, well known in the command of the Coldstream guards; and as neither of these gentlemen have called for me since, I presume they are satisfied that the blunder was not upon my side, and that my conduct would bear itself through; the conclusion of the day went off very pleasantly, and when satiated therewith, my daughter and I drove off amidst many marks of civility and condescension even from strangers, as well as from our own countrymen and acquaintances in the high

est ranks.

This, Sir, is the whole of the absurd and ridiculous alarm. Pistols are as essential to the Highland courtier's dress, as a sword to the English courtier's, the French man, or the German, and those used by me

on such occasions are as unstained with powder, as any courtier's sword with blood; it is only the grossest ignorance of the Highland character and costume which could imagine that the assassin lurked under their bold and manly form.

With respect to the wild fantasy that haunted Lady A.'s brain, of danger to his Majesty, I may be permitted to say that George IV. has not in his dominions more faithful subjects than the Highlanders; and that not an individual witnessed his Majesty's coronation who would more cheerfully and ardently shed his heart's blood for him than your humble servant,

ARD-FLATH SIOL-CHUINN MAC-MHIC ALASTAIR. Which may be anglified, "Colonel Ronaldson Macdonell, of Glengarry and Clanronald."

Gordon's Hotel, Albemarle Street, July 29. We shall conclude our notices of this splendid ceremony with the following

VOL. IX.

letter, which was addressed to the Editor of the Edinburgh Weekly Journal, and is understood to have been written by Sir Walter Scott, Bart.

SIR-I refer you to the daily papers for the details of this great national solemnity which we witnessed yesterday, and will hold my promise absolved by sending a few general remarks upon what I saw, with surprise, amounting to astonishment, and which I shall never forget. It is, indeed, impossible to conceive a ceremony more august and imposing in all its parts, and more calculated to make the deepest impression both on the eye and on the feelings. The most minute attention must have been bestowed to arrange all the subordinate parts in harmony with the rest; so that, amongst so much antiquated ceremonial, imposing singular dresses, duties, and characters upon persons accustomed to move in the ordinary routine of society, nothing occurred either awkward or ludicrous, which could mar the general effect of the solemnity.-Considering that it is but one step from the sublime to the ridiculous, I own I consider it as surprising that the whole ceremonial of the day should have passed away without the slightest circumstance which could derange the general tone of solemn feeling which was suited

to the occasion.

You must have heard a full account of the only disagreeable event of the day. I mean the attempt of the misguided Lady, who has lately furnished so niany topics of discussion, to intrude herself upon a ceremonial, where, not being in her proper place, to be present in any other must have been voluntary degradation. That matter is a fire of straw which has now burned to the very embers, and those who try to blow it into life again will only blacken their hands and noses, like mischievous children dabbling among the ashes of a bonfire. It seems singular, that being determined to be present at all hazards, this unfortunate personage should not have procured a Peer's ticket, which, I presume, would have insured her admittance. I willingly pass to pleasanter matters.

The effect of the scene in the Abbey was beyond measure magnificent. Imagine long galleries stretched among the aisles of that venerable and august pile-those which rise above the altar pealing back their echoes to a full and magnificent choir of music-those which occupied the sides filled even to crowding with all that Britain has of beautiful and distinguished, and the cross-gallery most appropriately occupied by the Westminster schools-boys, in their white surplices, many of whom might on that day receive impressions never to be lost during the rest of their lives. Imagine this, I say, and then add the spectacle upon the floor-the altars sur

Nn