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."