Royal festivities -- The Emperor of Russia, the King of Prussia,
and General Blücher at Oxford -- Banquet at Guildhall --
Departure of the Allied Sovereigns -- Signature of Treaty of
Peace -- Proclamation of Peace -- State Thanksgiving at St.
Paul's Cathedral.
But I have been doing precisely as they did in 1814, almost
neglecting the august potentates of Russia and Prussia, in the
all-absorbing Field Marshal. Let us see how they spent their time.
We know all about their first day in London. On the next (June 8th)
the Emperor of Russia had breakfasted by eight, and afterwards walked
in Kensington Gardens with his sister; then went to see Westminster
Hall and Abbey, and the British Museum. At one he held a _levée_ at
Cumberland House, which he used as his state apartments, and was
visited by the Prince Regent, who, afterwards, attended the _levée_
of the King of Prussia, at Clarence House. Between five and six
both sovereigns attended the Queen's Court, to be introduced to her
Majesty, and they all dined together with the Prince of Wales at
Carlton House.
There was one thing the English people could scarcely understand. We
have seen that both Kaiser and King had splendid state beds provided
for them. With singular unanimity they both did away with them at
once; both were accustomed to the hardships of war. The Czar would
sleep on nothing but a straw palliasse, and the King ordered all the
fine satin wood furniture to be removed out of his bedroom, and a
plain table and glass, with one common chair to be substituted. When
the bed was removed, his Majesty's camp equipage was brought in,
whence were taken a leather mattress and bolster, which were placed
upon an ordinary Couch.
On the 9th the Czar, accompanied by Lord Yarmouth and Col.
Bloomfield, rode in Hyde Park, between seven and eight. Thence they
rode to Westminster, through Southwark to the City, past the Royal
Exchange, through Finsbury Square, the City, and New, Roads, down
Edgware Road, and Hyde Park to the Pulteney Hotel. After breakfast,
he and his sister quietly went through the Strand and City, and
visited the London Docks. In the afternoon the King of Prussia was
made a Knight of the Garter, and so was the Emperor of Austria, in
his absence. Afterwards, the Prince of Wales was invested with the
Order of the Golden Fleece by the Austrian Minister, and that of the
Golden Eagle by the Prussian monarch.
On the 10th the two foreign monarchs breakfasted together, and then
went to Ascot races; dining, afterwards, with the Queen at Frogmore.
_June 11th._ The Emperor of Russia, Duchess of Oldenburgh, &c.,
visited the Bank of England. Afterwards the two monarchs held court,
at their respective palaces, for the reception of addresses from
the City of London. They, and the Prince Regent, dined with Lord
Liverpool, who was the Prime Minister, and, afterwards, everybody
went in state to the Opera. When I say everybody, I mean it, for,
judge of the astonishment of all, when, just as the Second Act of
the Opera was about to commence, a voice exclaimed, "The Princess of
Wales!" and, surely, there she was, entering a box, accompanied by
Lady Charlotte Campbell. There was a universal shout of applause from
the whole house, whereupon the two sovereigns and the Prince Regent
rose and _bowed_, to her, a courtesy which she returned with a deep
reverence. This was her revenge. The Queen, at the instance of the
Regent, had refused her permission to attend a drawing room, where
she might meet the sovereigns, and she chose this method of securing
their notice.
Next day (12th) was Sunday, and the King of Prussia went to service
at Westminster. In the afternoon, the Czar and King, accompanied
by their suites, rode in Hyde Park, and the description of this
_promenade à Cheval_ is as follows: "It would seem as if every
horse in the Metropolis had resorted thither. The pressure was
intolerable: the horses were so jammed together, that many Noblemen
and Gentlemen had their knees crushed, and their boots torn off. We
did not hear of any fatal Accident. The interesting BLÜCHER was so
cruelly persecuted, that he dismounted, and took refuge in Kensington
Gardens; but here, being afoot he was more annoyed. He set his back
against a tree,[23] and seemed at length quite exhausted. The coarse
kindness of our mob is more formidable to him than all the enemies he
ever encountered." At night they dined again at Carlton House.
[Footnote 23: See page 270.]
On the 13th at nine a.m. the illustrious visitors embarked at
Whitehall Stairs, for a trip by water to Woolwich. It must have
been a very pretty sight to have seen the carved and gilded barges,
not only of the Admiralty, the Navy, and the Ordnance Board, but of
all the City Companies, as brave as bunting and silken flags could
make them, all rowed by watermen, in uniform, with huge silver
badges on their arms. Add to this beautiful scene, the launches of
the _Enterprise_, and of the Men-of-war at Deptford, and Woolwich,
several boats with bands of Music, and the _coup d'oeil_ must have
been charming. There is always plenty to see at Woolwich Arsenal (it
then had a Dockyard), and they saw it, for they did not return till
late in the evening, just in time for a dinner at the Marquis of
Stafford's, and a ball at the Earl of Cholmondeley's.
This gadding about must have been tiring work, for the Emperor of
Russia did not get to his hotel, from the ball, till three o'clock
a.m., and he was off for Oxford, by half-past six. The Prince Regent
started at a quarter to six. No time, however, was wasted on the
journey, for nine relays of horses, for each carriage, were provided
to do the 58 miles. The Regent who was accompanied by the Prince of
Orange, arrived about half-past ten, the time appointed, but they
were not quite ready for him. They scrambled together some kind of
a procession, and the Chancellor laid the Maces of the University
Bedels, at his Royal Highness's feet. Of course, he graciously
returned them, and, by this time, the Mayor and the Civic portion of
the procession had arrived, and they all proceeded to the Divinity
Schools. Here, of course, was presented the inevitable address, after
which, the Regent was conducted to _Christ Church_, where apartments
had been prepared for him.
A few minutes after one o'clock, the Czar arrived, accompanied by
his sister, who was attired in "a plain travelling dress, with a
large straw bonnet, shaded by a broad pendant feather." This bonnet
was the latest thing from Paris, which the Duchess brought over
with her, and which speedily became the fashion. It went by the very
undignified name of "the Oldenburgh Poke," and my reader will meet
with it in the coming illustrations. They drove to Merton College.
Very shortly after, the King of Prussia and his sons, drove up,
and went to Corpus Christi. Both sovereigns barely gave themselves
time for refreshment, but went directly to call upon the Regent,
who received them in his cap and gown. They then visited all the
objects of interest in the most interesting city in England. About
four o'clock old Blücher (who was to be made a D.C.L.) arrived, and
received the ovation which his presence always produced. Of course,
the people wanted to drag his carriage, but good sense prevailed,
and they were not allowed to make fools of themselves. In the
evening, at half-past seven, a grand banquet was served to about two
hundred guests, of whom the Regent's party comprised fifty. This
took place in the Radcliffe Library, the upper gallery of which was
thrown open to people to walk round, and view the dinner. The stone
staircases were small, and the pushing and crowding were great. Hats,
caps, and shoes were flying in all directions, and many, at last,
extricated themselves, with their gowns and coats torn in pieces.
The military were called in, and order was restored. The banquet
lasted till eleven, when the guests went through the City to see
the illuminations, which, however, were extinguished by a tremendous
thunderstorm between twelve and one.
[Illustration: Blücher Surveying Himself as a D.C.L.]
Next morning the degrees were conferred, in the Theatre, on the
Emperor of Russia, the King of Prussia, the Duke of Wellington (_in
absentia_), Prince Metternich, Count Lieven, and Blücher. Of course
fun was made of this grizzled old warrior being made a D.C.L., and
Cruikshank drew a picture of him looking at himself in a glass in
utter astonishment (see previous page).
Another picture also by G. Cruikshank, shows Oxford, as it was
supposed to have been during the visit of the sovereigns, Alexander,
the Duchess of Oldenburgh, (who has mounted a cap and wig on the
crown of her "Poke,") and Blücher, being excessively amiable to the
Dons. Cossacks vested in Gowns, and Caps, are the order of the day,
and fraternize right jovially. A dinner in Christ Church Hall, and a
Ball ended the day.
We hear more about poor Blücher's unfortunate popularity. "The
gallant Blücher seems to have been the peculiar favourite of the
people. He could not stir without a crowd, and the vehemence of their
salutations has been almost painful to him. His rooms at Christ
Church were generally surrounded by a crowd of people. On the morning
of Wednesday, he was sitting at the end of his bed, the window being
quite open, smoking his long pipe, in a white vest with a ribbon
over it, with complete military _sang froid_. He frequently advanced
to the window, and bowed. The excessive joy of the people almost
overpowered him in the Theatre on Thursday. Two of the newly-created
doctors were obliged to rescue him from the hands of the people by
force, or he must have sunk under their pressure."
[Illustration: Doctor Blücher.
_Cruikshank._ (_Satirist, July 1, 1814._)]
After receiving their degrees, the two sovereigns returned to town,
of course, immediately to resume dining, and Balls. On the 16th the
Czar went to see the Charity Children, numbering seven thousand,
at St. Paul's. In the evening, both sovereigns dined with Lord
Castlereagh, and then went to Drury Lane Theatre, after which there
was a ball at the Marchioness of Hertford's.
On the 17th they visited Chelsea Hospital; spent a fairly quiet
day, and dined at Merchant Taylor's Hall. The King of Prussia seems
to have had tastes identical with those of the Shah of Persia, at
his visit here in June 1873, for, at eleven in the morning, he,
accompanied by the Prince Royal, Princes William and Frederick of
Prussia, Prince Mecklenburgh, General d'York, Platoff, and several
other of our illustrious visitors had a dejeuner at Lord Lowther's.
The most celebrated pugilists were in waiting to exhibit their skill.
Jackson, Cribb, Tom Belcher, Richmond, Cropley, Oliver, Painter,
and some others. After breakfast they set to, and there was some
excellent sparring, as might be expected.
A Banquet was given on the 18th at the Guildhall, by the City, on
a scale of magnificence never since equalled. The Regent and his
Royal guests went in the utmost state with one hundred Yeomen of the
Guard--the Kings at Arms. Six heralds and all Herald's College. The
Lord Mayor, Sheriffs, Aldermen, and Civic Officers all on horseback,
met them at Temple Bar, and accompanied them to the Guildhall, which
was most superbly fitted up, principally with crimson velvet, gold
fringe, lace, lines, and tassels.
At the eastern, or upper, end of the Hall, on a platform elevated
above the level of the floor, covered with Turkey carpeting, was
placed a very large table, at which stood three massive carved
and gilt chairs covered with crimson velvet, decorated with gold
fringes, under a lofty Canopy of rich crimson velvet, lined with
crimson sarsenet, and rich velvet draperies reaching to the floor,
tied back with gold ropes. In front of the dome of the Canopy were
placed the Sword and Sceptre; and, on the top, the Royal Crown of the
United Kingdom, boldly carved on a large scale, and gilt; over which
hovered a Dove, with the olive branch, in proper colours, as in the
act of alighting, in allusion to the establishment of Peace, and in
compliment to the three great Personages sitting under the Canopy. In
the centre sat
THE PRINCE REGENT.
_On his right._ _On his left._
The Emperor of Russia. The King of Prussia.
Duke of York. Duchess of Oldenburgh.
Prince Henry of Prussia. The Hereditary Prince of
Wirtemberg.
Duke of Cambridge. Countess Lieven.
Duke of Orleans. Duke of Kent.
Duke of Saxe Weimar. Prince of Bavaria.
Prince Augustus of Prussia. Prince Metternich.
The Duke of Oldenburgh. The Prince of Cobourg.
Count de Merveldt. Duke of Gloucester.
Prince of Hardenberg. Prince William of Prussia.
Count Fernan Nunez, } The Prince of Orange.
Duke of Montellano. } Princess Volkonské.
There were besides, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Ministers, the
Speaker of the House of Commons, all the Officers of State, including
the Prince Regent's Household, the flower of the Nobility, Foreign
Ambassadors, &c., &c.
Never was such a banquet seen. The very waiters were not hired,
but were Citizens, and other gentlemen of respectability, dressed
alike, in black, with white waistcoats, who gratuitously offered
their services upon the occasion, and not only acted as waiters, but
superintended and took care of the great quantity of Plate that was
used, the value of which was estimated to exceed Two Hundred Thousand
Pounds. The Lord Mayor, the Right Hon. William Domville, was made a
Baronet.
The Royal guests must have been thankful that the next day (the
19th) was a Sunday. The Emperor went to the Chapel of his Embassy in
Welbeck Street, after which, he and his sister went to a Quakers'
Meeting in Peter's Court, St. Martin's Lane. On their return to
their hotel the Emperor gave audience to many people, on business;
then called on the Princess Charlotte, stopped with her half an hour,
and then drove to Chiswick to visit the Duke of Devonshire, returning
to the Pulteney Hotel at seven, and to a party at the Regent's to
meet the Queen in the evening.
The King of Prussia went to Church at St. George's, Hanover Square.
After luncheon he drove to Sion House, Isleworth, to visit Earl
Percy, and thence to Oatlands, where he dined with the Duchess of
York.
On the 20th there was what was called a Grand Review in Hyde Park,
but the few soldiers there mustered must have been a poor show
to those monarchs, who had only just been face to face with grim
War on a very large scale. Both sovereigns went, without state,
to take leave of the Queen, and both dined at their hotels; both
afterwards going, in the evening, to the Fête given by White's Club
at Burlington House.
The 21st was principally taken up with receiving visits, &c., and a
State Concert of Sacred Music at Carlton House.
On the 22nd, early in the morning, both Czar and King left London
for Portsmouth, where there was to be a grand Naval Review in their
honour, on the 25th of June. Fifteen sail of the line, and fifteen
frigates, performed various Manoeuvres, and the day concluded with a
grand entertainment at Government House, where the Royal party was
joined by the Duke of Wellington, who had just arrived home.
[Illustration: Russian Condescension, or the Blessings of Universal
Peace.
(_July 11, 1814._)]
This finished their visit, and they sailed from Dover on the 27th.
Almost the last we hear of them is: "HASTINGS, June 27th.--The
Emperor of Russia, the King of Prussia, and the Grand Duchess of
Oldenburgh passed through this neighbourhood yesterday on their
way to Dover. The Emperor and Duchess of Oldenburgh stopped their
carriage for some time at Fairlight, near the town, and, in the most
condescending manner, shook hands with the peasantry, and distributed
cakes, &c., among the children." Cruikshank draws this incident in
"Russian Condescension, or the Blessings of Universal PEACE."
On May 30th a definitive treaty of Peace was signed at Paris between
Great Britain and France, by which the Islands of Malta, the
Mauritius, Tobago, St. Lucia, and the Cape of Good Hope were ceded
to Great Britain, and illuminations in joy therefore, took place on
June 9, 10, 11. But the Proclamation of Peace was not made until the
20th of June. I have witnessed one in my lifetime, that of 1856,
and a very shabby ceremonial it was, the heralds looking especially
comical, in a hybrid costume consisting of a cheese-cutter Court hat,
a gorgeous mediæval Tabard, modern black trousers with a broad gold
lace stripe, and patent leather boots.
On the 20th of June, 1814, a party of Horse Guards was drawn up about
the gate of St. James's Palace, where the Beadles and Constables, and
all the officers of the City of Westminster, attended.
The Officers of Arms, Sergeants at Arms, with their Maces and
Collars; the Sergeant Trumpeter, with his Mace and Collar, the
trumpets; Drum Major and drums; and the Knight Marshal and his men,
assembled in the Stable-yard, St. James's; and the Officers of Arms,
being habited in their respective tabards, and mounted, a Procession
was made thence to the Palace gate in the following order:--
Knight Marshal's Men, two and two.
Knight Marshal.
Drums.
Drum Major.
Trumpets.
Sergeant Trumpeter.
Pursuivants.
Sergeants { Heralds. } Sergeants
at Arms. { Kings of Arms. } at Arms.
Being come before the gate, the senior Officer of Arms present
(attended on his left hand by the next in rank) read the Proclamation
aloud; whereupon the Procession moved on to Charing Cross in the
following order:--
Horse Guards to clear the way.
Beadles of Westminster, two and two, bareheaded, with
Staves.
Constables of Westminster in like manner.
High Constable, with his Staff, on horseback.
Officers of the High Bailiff of Westminster, with white
wands, on horseback.
Clerk of the High Bailiff.
High Bailiff and Deputy Steward.
Horse Guards.
Horse { Knight Marshal's men, two and two. } Horse
Guards { Knight Marshal. } Guards
to { Drums. } to
flank { Drum Major. } flank
the { Trumpets. } the
Procession. { Sergeant Trumpeter. } Procession.
{ Pursuivants. }
Sergeants { Heralds. } Sergeants
at Arms. { Kings of Arms. } at Arms.
Horse Guards.
At Charing Cross the Officer of Arms next in rank read the
Proclamation, looking towards Whitehall; after which the Procession
moved on to Temple Bar, the gates of which were shut; and the Junior
Officer of Arms, coming out of the rank between two trumpeters,
preceded by two Horse Guards to clear the way, rode up to the gate,
and, after the trumpets had sounded thrice, knocked with a cane.
Being asked by the City Marshal from within, "Who comes there?" he
replied, "The Officers of Arms, who demand entrance into the City to
publish his Majesty's Proclamation of Peace." The Gates being opened,
he was admitted alone, and the gates were shut again. The City
Marshal, preceded by his Officers, conducted him to the Lord Mayor,
to whom he showed his Majesty's warrant, which, his Lordship having
read, returned, and gave directions to the City Marshal to open the
gates, who, attending the Officer of Arms on his return to them, said
on leaving him, "Sir, the gates are opened." The trumpets and guards
being in waiting, conducted him to his place in the procession, which
then moved on into the city (the Officers of Westminster filing off,
and retiring as they came to Temple Bar); and, at Chancery Lane end,
the Proclamation was read a third time. Then the Lord Mayor, Aldermen
and Sheriffs, joining the procession immediately after the Officers
of Arms, moved on to the end of Wood Street, where the Cross formerly
stood in Cheapside. And the Proclamation having been there read, the
procession continued to the Royal Exchange, where the Proclamation
was read for the last time, and the procession returned by the way of
Gracechurch Street through Lombard Street.
The Trumpets sounded thrice, previous to, and immediately after, each
reading.
On the 7th of July the Prince Regent went in State, accompanied
by the Members of the House of Lords and the House of Commons,
the Foreign Ambassadors, &c., to St. Paul's Cathedral, to render
thanks to God for the re-establishment of Peace. The line of route
was mainly kept by Volunteers and Yeomanry, there being so very
few regular troops available. The Procession was alternately Horse
Guards and State Coaches, the last, of course, being that of the
Prince Regent, who was gorgeous in his robes, and hat with a plume of
ostrich feathers. The Duke of Wellington, who, now that the Allied
Sovereigns had gone, was the lion of the day, accompanied the Prince
in his carriage, clad in his new Ducal Robes, and when they alighted
at St. Paul's, walked by the Prince's right hand, carrying the Sword
of State. The Service was not a long one, and the sermon was preached
by the Bishop of Chester.
It must have been a beautiful sight, the Cathedral holding nearly
10,000 persons, the male portion being gay in uniform, official
robes, or Court dress, and the ladies dressed as they should be on
so joyful an occasion. All the Royal Dukes, except the Duke of York,
were present, and as old Blücher had not yet left England, he had to
take part in the ceremony. The Prince Regent was much hissed both
going and returning.