The Sheriffs and Aldermen make their stand towards the upper-end of the Pall-mall, on the right-hand leading to St. James's-gate.
The Nobility, and others who go in their coaches, are to alight at St. James's-gate; and the coaches to pass by St. James's Meuse into St. James's-park, and go out again at the upper gate by Hyde-park.
The Knight-marshal's men, kettle-drums, trumpets, and serjeant-trumpet, are to make a stand on the right-hand side from the end of the Pall-mall, by the Gloucester-tavern.
The Officers of arms and Serjeants at arms are to pass on to the second gate-way, and there alight.
The Lord-mayor, with Garter, and the Gentleman-usher of the Black-rod, are to attend his
Majesty into St. James's, to the foot of the stairs leading up to the Guard-chamber; where they alight, and the Lord Mayor humbly takes his leave of his Majesty.
During the whole proceeding from St. Margaret's-hill, the Conduits at Stocks-market and other parts of the City are to run with wine as usual. And the great guns at the Tower are to be twice discharged: first, at his Majesty's taking coach at Greenwich; and secondly, after his passing over London-bridge. And at his Majesty's arrival at his Royal Palace, the foot-guards in the Park fire three volleys, and the cannon in the Park are to be discharged."
Such was the eagerness evinced on this occasion, that seats were erected in every situation where it was possible the King could be seen, and the balconies in Cheapside, Cornhill, &c. were let for 20 and 30 guineas each. It must, however, be acknowledged to have been a superb spectacle, to grace which the publick provided prudently and amply. Coaches, carts, &c. were forbid to enter the streets, and those were lined by six regiments of Trained bands; the Conduits ran with wine; the Charity-children, assembled on a vast range of seats, sung Hymns; the Livery Companies exhibited their persons and costume; and a number of aged gentlemen, whose hairs were silvered by time, determined to invite others
to join them in white camblet cloaks, and seated on white horses to form part of the procession; but some unforeseen obstacles intervening, they were compelled to substitute a stand at the East-end of St. Paul's, erected over another appointed for a boy from Christ's-hospital to pronounce an oration to the King, where a considerable number appeared to shew their loyalty.—One of the newspapers of the day observes, that the weather was uncommonly fine, and that the cavalcade of the procession and volunteers reached from Greenwich to St. Paul's. Exclusive of the usual evening demonstrations of joy, a fire-work was exhibited in St. Paul's church-yard, representing two flaming dragons on one side, and on the other the Crown accompanied by the motto, "Floreat Civitas." Cockades of ribband, and ribbands decorated with mottos and devices in gold and silver, were very generally worn on this occasion, and at the subsequent Coronation; previous to which, the Envoys of Sicily and Venice had a warm dispute on precedency in the box prepared for the Ambassadors in Westminster-hall; this the Marshal of the Ceremonies adroitly parried, by declaring all precedency ceased in the box. Every description of utensils and table-linen were purloined from Westminster-hall, as at the preceding Coronation.
Dreadful accidents occurred during the procession, by the fall of over-loaded scaffolds in Old