The dignity of the monarch, as well as his humility on this august occasion, have been celebrated by the late Bishop Newton. "The king's whole behaviour at the coronation," he says, "was justly admired and commended by every one, and particularly his manner of seating himself on the throne after his coronation. No actor in the character of Pyrrhus, in the Distressed Mother,—not even Booth himself, who was celebrated for it in the Spectator[110],—ever ascended the throne with so much grace and dignity. There was another particular which those only could observe who sat near the Communion-Table, as did the prebendaries of Westminster. When the king approached the communion-table, in order to receive the sacrament, he inquired of the archbishop, Whether he should not lay aside his crown? The archbishop asked the Bishop of Rochester, but neither of them knew, nor could say, what had been the usual form. The king determined within himself that humility best became such a solemn act of devotion, and took off the crown, and laid it aside during the administration."
That one of the last of the unfortunate race of the Stuarts, Prince Charles, was in London, if not present at the coronation feast, on this occasion, seems to be a fact pretty well established. The Gentleman's Magazine, 1764, (p. 28,) speaks of it as "publicly said, That the young Pretender himself came from Flanders to see the coronation; that he was in Westminster Hall (?) during the ceremony, and in London two or three days before and after it, under the name of Mr. Brown." And Mr. Hume thus writes to one of his literary friends:—"What will surprise you more, Lord Marshal, a few days after the coronation of the present king, told me, that he believed the young Pretender was at that time in London, or, at least, had been so very lately, and had come over to see the show of the coronation, and had actually seen it. I asked my lord the reason for this strange fact. 'Why,' says he, 'a gentleman told me so who saw him there, and whispered in his ear—'Your royal highness is the last of all mortals whom I should expect to see here.'—'It was curiosity that led me,' said the other: 'but I assure you,' added he, 'that the person who is the cause of all this pomp and magnificence, is the man I envy the least.'" A report recently found its way to the public papers, which we have not been able to trace to any authentic source, that a glove was actually thrown from an upper seat in the Hall, as a gage to the king's champion, at this period: that the champion receiving it from his attendants, asked, 'who was his fair foe?' and that the rumour of the day soon connected it with the appearance, and attributed it to the romantic dispositions of the young Chevalier.
Of the late coronation we shall at once consult the best feelings of our own mind, and of the community, by presenting the most copious account we have been able to collect:—
CORONATION
OF
His Most Excellent Majesty
KING GEORGE IV.,
On Thursday the 19th day of July, 1821.
ARRANGEMENT FOR THE ASSEMBLING OF THE PEERS AND OFFICERS.
They were to assemble
in the House of Lords | { |
Their R. H. the Dukes of the Blood Royal, in their robes of estate, having their coronets, and the Field Marshals their batons, in their hands.
The Peers in their robes of estate, having their coronets in their hands.
His R. H. Prince Leopold, in the full habit of the Order of the Garter, having his cap and feathers in his hand.
The Archbishops and Bishops, vested in their rochets, having their square caps in their hands. |
| In his place near the Bar | { | The Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod. |
In the space below the Bar
of the House of Lords | { | The Train-bearers of the Princes of the Blood Royal. |
In the space below the Bar
of the House of Lords | { | The Attendants on the Lord High Steward, on the Lord Chancellor, the Lord
High Constable, and on the Lord Chamberlain of the Household.
The Gentlemen Ushers of the White and Green Rods, all in their proper habits. |
In the Painted Chamber and
adjacent rooms, near the
House of Lords | { | The Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench.
The Master of the Rolls.
The Vice-Chancellor.
The Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas.
The Lord Chief Baron.
The Barons of the Exchequer, and Justices of both Benches.
The Gentlemen of the Privy Chamber.
The Attorney and Solicitor General.
Serjeants at Law.
Masters in Chancery.
The Lord Mayor, Aldermen, Recorder, & Sheriffs of London.
King's Chaplains, having dignities.
Six Clerks in Chancery. |
In the Chamber formerly
the House of Lords | { | The Knights Grand Crosses of the Order of the Bath, in the full habit of the Order, wearing their collars; their caps and feathers in their hands. |
In the Chamber formerly
the House of Lords | { | The Knights Commanders of the said Order, in their full habits; their caps and feathers in their hands.
The Officers of the said Order, in their mantles, chains, and badges. |
In the Chamber formerly
called the Prince's Chamber
or Robing Room, near the
former House of Lords | { | The Treasurer and Comptroller of the Household.
The Vice-Chamberlain.
The Marquis of Londonderry, in the full habit of the Garter, having his cap and feathers in his hand.
The Register of the said Order, in his mantle, with his book.
Privy Councillors, not being Peers or Knights Grand Crosses of the Bath.
Clerks of the Council in Ordinary. |
In his Majesty's Robing ,
Chamber near the south
entrance into
Westminster Hall. | { | The Train-bearers of his Majesty.
Master of the Robes.
Groom of the Robes. |
In the room of Chairman of
Committees, adjoining
the House of Lords | { | Lords and Grooms of the Bedchamber.
Keeper of the Privy Purse.
Equerries and Pages of Honour.
Gentlemen Ushers & Aides-de-Camp. |
In the Witness-room, adjoining
the House of Lords | { | Physicians, Surgeons, and Apothecaries. |
In the House of Commons
and the Lobbies | { | Officers of the Band of Gentlemen Pensioners, with their Corps, and the Serjeants at Arms.
The Officers of the Yeomen of the Guard, with their Corps. |
In the Lobby between
the House of Lords and the
the Painted Chamber
| { | The Kings, Heralds, and Pursuivants of Arms. |
In Westminster Hall,
at the lower end, near
the great north door | { | Sixteen Barons of the Cinque Ports. |
In Westminster Hall,
near the north door | { | The Knight Marshall and his two Officers. |
In Westminster Hall,
at the lower end | { | His Majesty's Band.
|
Without the north door
of Westminster Hall | { | All who are to precede the Knight Marshal in the procession. |