Prætexta, et trabeæ, fasces, lectica, tribunal.
Quid, si vidisset Prætorem curribus altis
Enstantem, et medio sublimem in pulvere circi
In tunica Jovis, et pictæ sarrana ferentem
Ex humeris aulæa togæ, magnæque coronæ
Tantum orbem, quanto cervix non sufficit ulla?
JUVENAL, Sat. x.
----Fasces, chains, litters, purple gowns.
What! had he seen, in his triumphal car,
Amid the dusty cirque conspicuous far,
The prætor perched aloft, superbly drest
In Jove's proud tunic, with a trailing vest
Of Tyrian tapestry, and o'er him spread
A crown too bulky for a mortal head?
GIFFORD'S JUVENAL.
Peradventure, kind reader, thou art no lover of history or chronicles,
no admirer of antiquarian research, and art withal (forefend us!) in
thine heart a determined foe to every matter and circumstance
pertaining to the "dark, backward, and abysm of time." If such, gentle
reader, be the materials of which thou art made, pause fair and softly,
if it so beseemeth thee, ere thou venturest again to open this volume,
from perusal of which, in sober seriousness, we would make bold to
dissuade thee, courteous reader! lest perchance the discussion might
"hurt thy health, and prejudice thy conscience," as the sage Sancho
Panza hath said of yore.
The day appointed for the display of the grand and solemn pageant of the
perambulation of the liberties and franchises of the city of Dublin had
arrived. This event only occurred every third year; and upon this august
occasion was to be witnessed by the royal eye of the princely James. The
arrangement of the procession and of its various details presented the
most grand and magnificent spectacle ever witnessed in the Irish
metropolis. It was a custom so singular, so unlike any procession or
pageant known in any other realm, that when it did occur the nobility
and gentry from every near and foreign land crowded to Dublin to behold
the splendid array of this unique and magnificent spectacle. Upon this
triennial occurrence the interest was most highly increased, and the
stately pomp and splendour of the pageant aided and augmented by the
cheering presence of the sovereign.
The grand cavalcade in slow and solemn measure advanced, preceded by a
noble troop of heavy dragoons;--we mention heavy dragoons distinctly to
mark to the reader's attention the distant period of time of which we
here speak; for at that period light dragoons were unknown in the
British service. The enlivening trumpets rent the air; meanwhile the
military bands played at intervals loyal and national airs; banners
waving on high, and the various flags and ensigns attached to the
numerous vessels in the river, all undulating in the breeze; while
around and upon every side the genius of ancient chivalry seemed to
preside and conduct the procession. Sir John Ottrington, Lord Mayor of
the city of Dublin, came in great pomp, pride, and circumstance of civic
distinction, in his magnificent state coach; his dignified head was
arrayed in a full flowing peruke, upon which much care and caution had
been studiously expended for its adornation; and that day witnessed
good-man shaver, Bob Basin to wit, the city barber, a proud and happy
man, who seemed all-sufficient to enjoy the triumph of the day, in
which, as he modestly conceived, he had done "the State some service,
and they knew it." This most formidable bushy specimen of a peruke was
cumberously surmounted by the bulky civic crown, which was in sooth
unwieldy and most unbecoming in its conformation and appearance; indeed
not dissimilar to that worn by the Herald King at Arms upon the high
ceremonial of a coronation. The Lord Mayor was attired in full court
dress, over which was worn a flowing scarlet gown, and around his neck
was suspended the splendid gold enamelled collar which had been most
graciously presented to the city of Dublin by Charles the Second, of
chaste and pious memory! It must not forsooth be disguised that the
costume was as cumbersome as it was unbecoming; yet still the ladies
all unanimously agreed in the opinion that Sir John Ottrington was "a
very pretty fellow in his day;" a most portly personage he was, who
would have become any costume, civil or military, nay, even the hodiern
foppery of an English Field-Marshal--tags, bobs, cordons, trappings,
ribands, feathers, and so forth. However, had any modern taken a glance
at a similar figure, he must assuredly have been incontinently reminded
of his facetious old acquaintance, Lord Grizel, in the inimitable and
humorous burletta of O'Hara's _Tom Thumb_!
All the _accessoirès_ of city regalia were duly and circumspectly
displayed at this truly splendid pageant. The ponderous city mace was
regilt and richly burnished, which shone conspicuous and refulgent from
the sinister window of the civic coach; while from the dexter side
gently undulated, _in transitu_, the mayoral wand, like the caduceus of
Mercury, imposing peace and silence on the dense and congregated
multitude.
The sword of state was carried in the van, while the silver baton was
borne by a corporate officer in the rere, attended by the city
battle-axe guards, who followed the state coach two by two, while others
of the guard flanked it, and the remaining number closed the procession.
It is but just to say, that all the civic regalia, in due pomp, and
circumstance, and order, were displayed conformable to the ancient,
laudable, and loyal usages of this most enlightened corporation.
The persons who personified the civic battle-axe guards were grenadiers
hired for the occasion expressly, and duly selected from the ranks. The
costume of these worthies, although varying in colour, yet resembled in
shape and fashion that of the royal Buffetteers, (in popular parlance
called beef eaters, from their portly appearance, no doubt;)[45] the
bonnets were formed of green velvet, with a rich gold foliage of
shamrocks, which surrounded them. The exterior habiliments were of rich
green cloth, laced, and richly embroidered with national devices; and
upon the breast of each were duly embroidered the city arms, namely,
three castles in flames, and the motto, "_obedientia civium, felicitas
urbis_." The hose were of red worsted, with large open clokes; the shoes
short quartered and high heeled, with the appanage of small brass
buckles. The partisans which they bore were similar to those of the
royal battle-axe guards. As the procession slowly proceeded onward, the
populace accommodated them-selves with great attention and most discreet
silence, being right marvelously amazed at such unusual pomp and
splendour.
[45] But actually so named from being the guard who preside over
the royal buffet, or side-board.
Next in the proud pageant came the High Sheriffs, each in his own
splendid state chariot, with a crowd of lackeys in rich liveries behind.
These worthies, Sir Mark Rainsford and Sir Edward Lloyd, not forgetting
the Lord Mayor, did not escape the ceremonial of being knighted by King
James. The Aldermen followed in their respective carriages. They were
succeeded in the procession by the several guilds or corporations of the
city, amounting in the aggregate to the number of twenty-five; at the
unprecedented splendour of whose appearance the populace were verily
struck with downright delight and astonishment.
The particular detail and explanation of each guild, as it advanced,
halted, and retreated in the proud pageant, was explained most minutely
by the Duke of Tyrconnel to his gracious and royal master. His Grace
certainly acquitted himself with most sage, cautious, and circumspect
discretion, but attended withal with sundry and various circumforaneous
explanations; all which long ambages and diffuse prolixities purposely
to avoid, we have cut down and curtailed the whole, which would
otherwise not be contained in a chapter, but require an essay to give
the entire. We have therefore abridged the particulars, and thrown the
whole into as brief a narrative as the subject would admit of, premising
that the splendid and imposing spectacle was beheld from the windows of
the presence-chamber of Dublin Castle by the royal James, surrounded by
all the beauty of the land, and encompassed by all the flower of
chivalry.
The magnificence of the pageant of riding the franchises (or fringes,
as corruptly called in popular parlance) was considerably increased in
pomp and effect from the introduction of different individuals of the
different corporations, who were attired in habits emblematical and
illustrative of the different trades of the different guilds. The
characters were generally borrowed from the heathen mythology, and were
strictly and classically arrayed in proper pantheon costume.
We must observe in a general way, that the five-and-twenty guilds, or
corporations of the city, formed an unrivalled pageant, the most
singular and remarkable in Europe; it would occupy too much time to
enter into a minute detail--however, a few we shall briefly notice.
Neptune, surrounded by his attendant tritons, dolphins, &c., sat proudly
enthroned in a triumphal car. He was the presiding deity of the guild of
merchants. The marine deity was followed by their corporate friend
Mercury, bearing all his attributes, and stately standing in an elevated
illuminated caravan, representing the clouds.
The tree of knowledge, adorned with the forbidden fruit, the serpent
encompassing the bole of the tree, and supported on each side by our
first parents, duly preceded the corporation of Tailors. Adam and Eve
were clad in flesh-coloured garments, fitting close to the person; and,
sooth to say, the fig-leaf was not forgotten by the grateful
corporation!
But we must needs be brief in this general outline:--
Vulcan presided over the corporation of Smiths. He was stationed on a
superb car, with his attending Cyclops, who were intently working on a
mounted forge; a lovely Venus graced his side; and as the arrows came
formed from the anvil, they were handed to Cupid.
Saturn, with his attributes, his scythe and serpent, and attended by
Esculapius, presiding over the guild of Barbers and Surgeons, followed
in a splendid car.
Ceres, seated in a triumphal chariot, drawn by four oxen, presided over
the corporation of Bakers. In a caravan which followed was placed an
oven, which was briskly at work; whence cakes were made, and
distributed to the populace.
The guild of Carpenters were preceded by a most magnificent caravan,
adorned with the various orders of architecture; in the centre of which
was placed a representation of Mount Ararat, on which reposed a model of
Noah's ark; thereby the corporation slyly intimating that their
handicraft was as old as the deluge!
Crispin and Crispianus, the two tutelar saints of the corporation of
Shoemakers, duly personated, and attired in strict saintly costume,
preceded the worthy guild.
Bacchus, "ever fair and young," crowned with his own ivy, bearing the
Thyrsus wand in his right, and a golden goblet in his left hand, duly
enthroned on a wine-cask, and mounted on a triumphal car, decorated with
festoons of grapes and vine-leaves, presided over the guild of Cooks and
Vintners.
Jason supporting the golden fleece, (with the ship Argo in the back
ground of his splendid car, blazing in burnished gold,) presided over
the guild of Weavers.
Iris, enveloped in her own rainbow, and borne in a car, adorned with
transparent clouds, presided over the Sheermen and Dyers.
We shall only notice one guild more--the corporation of Printers, to
whom we, in common with every Briton, owe such a debt of gratitude. A
free press has always been acknowledged, and we trust ever may continue,
the _palladium_ of British liberty!
This guild, forming a magnificent and extended cavalcade, made a grand
and interesting display; their ancient banners and standards borne in
the van were tri-coloured, crimson, light-yellow, and blue. The first
banner bore the legend, or motto, "_Rex et Lex_;" upon the second, "_Pro
rege sæpe, Pro Patria semper_;" upon the last banner was splendidly
emblazoned the words, "_Liberty of the Press_!"
A statue of Minerva, placed on a high pedestal, and mounted in a
triumphal car, headed the procession. A bomb-cart followed, heavily
laden, containing ammunition and stores; that is to say, not gunpowder,
chain-balls, and grape-shot, but more peaceful pastime, _videlicet_:
cold meat, pasties, pies, confectionary, wines, &c. Next advanced four
fine palfreys, covered with richly embroidered field-clothes, each led
by a groom in splendid livery. Then came on a brother of the
corporation, who personated Vulcan; he was arrayed in a noble suit of
armour, which had belonged to king Charles the First; it was the gift of
the late Colonel Joshua Paul, a free-brother of the guild, to the
corporation. Vulcan rode on horseback, the housings, trappings, and
horse-furniture, were decorated with appropriate emblems; he bore an
immense sledge-hammer of richly polished steel, the handle curiously
ornamented with fanciful Arabesque ornaments, inlaid in gold and silver.
Next in succession advanced a triumphal car, or caravan, drawn by six
beautiful black steeds, covered with handsome nets, the coachman and
postillion in rich splendid liveries. Within the carriage was exhibited
a handsome printing-press, with two pressmen and a compositor at work. A
hackney author was occupied in writing for and correcting the press. A
printer's devil was busily at work; and a painter engaged at his eazle,
all in meet and proper costume. The printing-press was richly and
appropriately ornamented: in the front stood a figure of Mercury holding
a poem, copies of which were struck off, and distributed among the
spectators; it was in praise of the noble art of printing, in which
honourable mention was made of the founders and benefactors of this
glorious invention. Nor were the following distinguished worthies
forgotten:--Wynkin de Worde, Caxton, Pynson, Kerver, Simon Vostre,
Theodore Martin, Jean Petit, Plantin, the two Elzivers, &c. The
printer's devil published impressions of the poem among the congregated
multitude.
The masters and wardens of the guild, splendidly arrayed in appropriate
costume, attended by kettle-drums mounted on horseback, the performers
dressed in Turkish habits, and attended by grooms in Tartar habits, who
led the horses, that were most splendidly caparisoned, next came on.
They were followed by persons on foot bearing long silver maces; at
intervals they obtained copies from the press of verses laudatory of
King James, which were distributed among the people. Four copies were
struck off on white satin, and sent into the castle to be presented to
King James; the verses were by Waller and Lord Lansdowne; at receiving
of which King James seemed most highly gratified. They were as
follows:--
"Bred in the camp, fam'd for his valour young;
At sea successful, vigorous, and strong;
His fleet, his army, and his mighty mind,
Esteem and rev'rence thro' the world do find."[46]
"Tho' trained in arms, and learned in martial arts,
Thou choosest not to conquer men but hearts;
Expecting nations for thy triumphs wait,
But thou prefer'st the name of just to great."[47]
[46] Extract from lines presented to His Majesty King James the
Second, upon his birth-day, by _Edmund Waller_.
[47] From _Lord Lansdowne_ to King James II.
Having perused these lines, King James most sweetly smiled, and with his
accustomed gracious condescension, gracefully approached the centre
window of the presence-chamber; he condescendingly looked down, and most
courteously bowed to the corporation of Printers, his face illumined
with a smile peculiar to himself, and in a most king-like attitude he
gracefully waved his hand. Then addressing the Duke of Tyrconnel, who,
with the other nobles of the household, surrounded His Majesty, the king
was pleased to say, "I perceive your Grace's countrymen are _tam Marti,
quam Mercurio_--they are courteous as they are brave." The Duke lowly
and respectfully bowed his acquiescence to the observation.
The proud pageant having closed, all the troops assembled presented
arms, lowered their banners; while drum, trumpet, and kettle-drum struck
up the anthem of "God save the King!"
The Duke of Tyrconnel fully explained to the king the name, description,
and detail of each guild as it made its entrance and exit. The duke had
taken some pains to prepare himself to be the royal _Cicerone_ of the
day; and, in sooth, as King James remarked to him, like my Lord Hamlet,
he was "as good as a chorus."
The number of saddle, led, and draft-horses, produced in this splendid
pageant were the best bred and most beautiful horses in the kingdom,
being selected, by the courtesy and permission of the noble proprietors,
from the most valuable studs the country then could boast of. The
richness of the horse furniture, housings, trappings, harness, &c.,
quite surpasses description. Never were present upon any former occasion
so many foreigners of distinction; and exclusive of those immediately
attendant upon the king, the nobility and gentry crowded to Dublin, as
did the noblesse of foreign realms, to witness, whenever it occurred,
this magnificent spectacle, which could not be equalled in any other
part of Europe.
King James was quite enraptured at the brilliant display, and addressing
the Duke of Tyrconnel, said:--"Albeit I have sojourned for a length of
time at my court of St. Germains, and have, in sooth, resided in the
country of pomp, spectacle, and pageantry, yet assuredly never have I
there witnessed such a scene of splendour as I have beheld this day,
either at Versailles or at Paris!--It has given me great satisfaction
truly, and I must observe that I consider that the taste, pomp, and
splendour of the pageant of to-day has rarely, if ever, been surpassed."
At night-fall the waits were in attendance at the upper castle-gate to
serenade the royal James. As the usage has become obsolete, it is
necessary to acquaint the reader that WAITS were a band of itinerant
nocturnal musicians, who perambulated the streets, singing, and playing
on different instruments, at different houses, where they addressed the
master or mistress of the mansion; and at Christmas-tide they were
usually most alert in their avocation, when they were tolerably sure of
an _honorarium_. The Irish waits resembled the _musiquè ambulantè_ of
France. In England waits are very ancient. It is now about thirty-eight
or forty years since this custom has wholly ceased in the city of
Dublin. The Irish waits were always attended by a man who bore a long
pole, from which was suspended a spherical illuminated lantern, which
they called their moon; with Falstaff they might indeed say, "Let us be
gentlemen of the shade--minions of the moon!" They sung and accompanied
the following verses to the air of "God save the King!"
O welcome be our noble king!
Resound the harp, each dulcet string,
While every loyal chord shall ring,
And every loyal tongue shall sing,
With filial burst, God save the king!
Oh, ever on his natal day
Our grateful homage we shall pay;
And bless the fav'ring breeze whose wing
Wafted our great and generous king!
After this long digression we shall resume our story in the following
chapter.