'Aug. 12.—His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales's birthday was announced, this morning, by the ringing of bells, and every demonstration of joy: colours were hoisted on the church. The gun brig, the Strenuous, and Earl Craven's boat, were dressed in national colours, and placed in a situation to be seen from the Pavilion. By eight o'clock, the whole town was in motion, the Marine Parade was lined with company, the balconies were full of beauty and fashion, and all the telescopes were in use. At ten o'clock, the gun brig fired a royal salute, which was answered by Earl Craven's boat. His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales's band, in full uniform, played on the lawn in front of the Pavilion; and, on the outside of the railing, the carriages formed a complete line, the ladies sitting on the boxes, surrounded by a vast number of gentlemen on horseback, viewing the lawn in front of the Pavilion, where all the Royal Dukes were walking.
'At eleven o'clock, her Royal Highness the Princess Charlotte of Wales arrived at the Pavilion from Worthing, in one of her Royal father's carriages, drawn by four beautiful bays. Her Royal Highness was dressed in white muslin, trimmed with point lace, Vandyked at the edges, and wore a Leghorn gipsy hat, with wreaths of small roses round the edge of the leaf, and a second row round the crown. Her Royal Highness looked most charmingly, and was received at the grand entrance by her Royal father and uncles, who conducted her to the Chinese apartment, with which she appeared greatly delighted. The Pavilion was surrounded on all sides by a most numerous concourse of spectators, who waited anxiously to see the Royal party proceed to the ground, where the grand review was to take place.
'At twelve o'clock, a Royal salute was fired from the batteries; and, immediately after, two of the Royal carriages came out, the first, drawn by four bays, with two postilions dressed in blue striped jackets, and brown beaver hats; in this carriage were Viscount and Viscountess Melbourne, Lord Erskine, and Mr. Dalmy; in the second, her Royal Highness, the Princess Charlotte of Wales, attended by the Dowager Lady De Clifford, and another lady; the carriage was drawn by six fine bay horses; after which, followed his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, mounted on a beautiful iron grey charger. His Royal Highness was most superbly dressed in the hussar uniform, and wore a diamond belt, with a diamond crown on his breast: the feather in his cap was most superb, encircled with diamonds round the bottom, and fixed in a diamond loop: never did we witness his Royal Highness in better health and spirits. The accoutrements of his charger were most superb. They proceeded slowly to the ground, where the troops were formed in a line, which was on the beautiful hills at the four mile course, which command a grand view of the sea.
'At within half a mile from the ground, his Royal Highness the Duke of York galloped up to the line, extended upwards of a mile, and passed them without any form. At half past twelve the whole of the Royal party arrived on the ground, and took their station in the centre of the line; her Royal Highness the Princess Charlotte of Wales's carriage stood just behind her Royal father. As soon as the party had taken their station, a royal salute of twenty one guns was fired from the horse artillery; the ranks formed into open order, when the Royal party went down the front of the line, returned by the rear, and retook their station in the centre, when the whole of the line passed in ordinary and quick time, the different bands playing "God save the King." Some ships passing at the time, received signals from the telegraph; they immediately fired a Royal salute, and hoisted a Royal Standard.
'There was, also, a sham fight on the sea with small boats, which had a very pretty effect. The day was uncommonly fine, and not one accident occurred to damp the joy manifested on this happy occasion. A good deal of mirth was occasioned by the firing, several of the horses that had been taken from the carriages, having broken loose, and run in all directions, leaving many of the company fixed in their carriages until the horses were caught.
'At half past three the Royal party returned to the Pavilion, where the Prince of Wales's band was playing to receive them. Her Royal Highness, the Princess Charlotte of Wales, after partaking of some refreshments, walked on the lawn with her Royal uncles, who seemed to vie with each other in attention to her. The Duke of Cambridge danced with her on the lawn, and at six o'clock she returned to Worthing. At eight o'clock the Royal party, the Duke of St. Albans, the Marquis of Headford, Earls Berkeley, Craven, Dursley, Bathurst and Barrymore, Viscount Melbourne, Lords Petersham, Erskine, and Charles, Edward and Arthur Somerset, and several military officers, sat down to dinner. The Pavilion was most brilliantly lighted, and the South Gloucester band played on the Steyne. The illuminations were splendid. The Prince attended the ball at the Castle in the evening, which was crowded with fashion and beauty, but none of the Royal party joined in the dance. The supper was of the first description, but would have been better enjoyed had the company been less numerous. The Prince retired at an early hour.'
