tion. I looked through the editor's glass; but I saw darkly! It is my intention now to give you as faithful a history of the day, as my memory will compass; and I hope that I shall be able in some measure, by the smooth honesty of my narrative, to apply a little balsam to your disordered and wounded curiosity. Pray let your sisters read this letter, and do not fail to sweeten your mother's herb tea with some of the richest morsels of the feast.

I was not put in possession of my ticket for Westminster-hall, until the day previous to the ceremony, so that I was thrown into an elegant bustle, about the provision of suitable habiliments for the occasion. Gentlemen of limited incomes are not proverbial for having layers of court dresses in their drawers, or for seeing the pegs in their passages swarming with cocked hats; I was compelled therefore "to wood and water," as the sailors term it, for the day, or, in plain words, to purchase the antique and costly coat, and the three cornered beaver, to fit me for appearing before royalty. I only wish you could have seen me cooked up for the Hall, you would have allowed that I was "a dainty dish, to set before a king."

The very early hour at which the doors of Westminster-hall were to be opened put to flight all notions of sleep; and he must have been a rash man indeed whose mind could dare for that night, to bend itself to bedward. At twelve o'clock I began to array myself, and I will not say how long I was employed in this perplexing work, let it suffice, that at half-past three o'clock, I was competent to sally forth from the house of a friend near the Abbey, and to approach that door of the House of Lords, by which I was to enter the Hall. Never was seen so calm and fair a morning, and the very freshness and breath of the country seemed, amongst other Inxuries, to have been brought to Westminster for this day and its noble ceremony. I emerged a little before the sun, and had something of the feeling of being rather the brighter of the two;-but the soft sky over my head tempered the pomp and pride of my mind, and subdued me to quiet feelings, and more humility.

When I reached Abingdon Street, which, I must take leave to inform you of the country, is a street very near to the Hall of Westminster, I found soldiers, both horse and foot, standing and lying

about in every direction. The chill of the morning seemed to affect them, and they were stretched at full length under the piazza, partaking of that comfortless sleep which the stones coldly afford, and the summoning trumpet breaks. A man, so minded, might have walked over foot-soldiers like so many mushrooms, for they slumbered around in most gorgeous plenteousness. I walked idly about the street and the passages, looking into the carriages, which stood in line, filled with many feathers and a few ladies, or watching the workmen, even at this advanced hour, accomplishing the passage to the Abbey,-or observing the small, but splendid, crowd, nestling around the yet unopened door,-or contemplating, amid all the confusion, and lustre, and pride of the space around me, the serene dawn opening above me in the sky, like a flower. The jingling and shining arms of the cavalry,-the courtly dresses of the approaching people,-the idlesse of the sleeping soldiery, -the dingy appearance, and earnest labours, of the workmen,the passing splendour of some richly clothed officer,-the echoing silence (if I may so express myself) of the air,-the tall, graceful, and solemn beauty and quiet of the Abbey,--all contrasted-each with the other, and filled the mind with an excited consciousness that a great day was dawning. I felt this--and at length took my station at the door, anxiously waiting for admission.

The moment at length arrived, and the door was opened to the crowd. I advanced, ticket in hand, with a delight not easily to be depressed, and succeeded in gaining, by many passages, my entrance into the Hall.

I must endeavour to the best of my ability to give you a picture of Westminster Hall as I now beheld it. How different was its appearance at this time from that which it made not many moons past, when I was rushing about after wandering and pampered witnesses, and calling them together "to save my cause at Nisi Prius." Imagine a long and lofty room, (the longest and widest in Europe, I believe, without the support of pillars,) lined with two tiers of galleries covered with red cloth, and carpeted down the middle with broad cloth of blue. At the very end, facing the north, were erected two gothic towers, with an archway, which led to Palace-yard, and over this was a huge gothic window. The tables for the feast ran down on each side; and at the head, on a

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raised platform, was a bright gold throne, with a square table standing before it, on which was a costly blue cloth worked with gold. Doors on each side led up to the galleries. The dark fretted roof, from which hung bright chandeliers, was an admirable relief to the whole. You will perhaps have no very clear notion of the hall after this description, but I shall send you a sketch which has appeared in the Observer newspaper, by which you will be able to realize my imperfect picture.

I entered by a door behind the throne, and was astonished at the magnificent spaciousness and rich adornments of the place. The long galleries were nearly half filled, (for other doors had been previously opened), and adown the cloth-covered pavement all was life, and eagerness, and joy, and hope! Here you would see the pages putting back a cluster of plumed beauties, with a respectful determination and courtly haste.-There you should behold a flight of peeresses, feathered, and in white attire, winging their way as though in hopeless speed, like birds to their allotted dove-cotes. In one place you would behold some magnificent soldier, half in confusion, and half in self-satisfaction, pausing in bewildered doubt and pleasure over his own slpendid attire. And in another part, those who had reached their seats were sighing happily, adjusting their dresses, and gazing around with delight at the troubles of others below them. I had much difficulty in attaining my "place of rest;" and, from the confusion of the pages, I verily "Providence my believe that I attained it more from having guide," than from meeting with any earthly assistance.

ravages

It might be about four o'clock, or a little after, when I took my seat. The light streamed in at the great window, like a flood of illumined water, and touched every plume, and every cheek. Exwhich broken pectation appeared to have given a bloom of life to each female countenance, as though to make up for the rest and fatigue had endeavoured to make. I beguiled the time, which might else have passed most tediously, by watching the several parties of peeresses, and others, enter from behind the throne, and pass by the state box, in which some of the royal family were seated at a very early hour. The most eager, aud the most gorgeous lady, became spell-bound at the sight, and checked herself, in her maddest career, to drop a curtsey to "her Highness of

Gloster." I was much pleased to see that when the Duchess of Kent, or any new member of the family, joined the illustrious party, the greetings had all the kindliness and affection of persons whose hearts are their whole wealth; and the young daughter of the Duchess was kissed as frankly and tenderly, as though she had had no diamond in her hair, and her eyes had been her only jewels. Over the royal box, the ladies of the principal officers of state sat; and immediately opposite were the Foreign Ambassadors, and their suite. I should however, tell you, that the Duchess of Gloster wore a beautiful silver transparent dress over lilac, and had a rich plume of ostrich feathers in her head. I so well know how interesting this information will be to you, that I cannot think of omitting it. About seven o'clock, Miss Fellowes (his Majesty's herb-woman), with her handmaids in white, was conducted into the Hall by her brother, and took her seat at the lower end of it. At this moment, I wished that you could have seen this pretty and simple group, I was so sure that it would have delighted you.

The Hall now filled rapidly, and not with mere visiters only, but with knights and pages, and noble serving-men, all in the richest dresses. The Barons of the Cinque Ports rehearsed the ceremony of bearing the gold canopy down the Hall, to the no small mirth of the company,--for they staggered along at most uneven paces; and one splendid personage, in powder, could not walk straight, in spite of himself, so encumbered was he with the sense of his own magnificence. A part of the regalia was brought in, and deposited on one of the side tables.

The interest manifestly deepened now at every moment, and not a plume was still in the galleries. At length the Judges, the Law officers, the Gentlemen of the Privy Chamber, the Aldermen of London, and the King's Chaplains, entered the Hall, and gave sign of preparation. The Knights of the Bath arranged themselves at the lower end of the Hall; and, certainly, their dresses were highly splendid. The officers attendant on the Knights Commanders wore crimson satin vests, ornamented with white, and over these a white silk mantle. They also wore ruffs, chains, and badges. Their stockings were of white silk, with crimson roses. The Knights Commanders of the Bath wore the prevalent

costume of the day, that a la Henri Quartre, with ruffs and hats turned up in front. Their vests and slashed pantaloons were of white satin overspread with a small silver lace; their cloaks were short, of crimson satin, embroidered with the star of the order, and lined with white. Their half-boots were of white silk, with red heels, crimson satin tops, and crimson roses; their spurs were of gold, their sword-belts and sheaths white; and their hats were black, with white ostrich feathers. The dress of the Knights Grand Crosses had all the beauty of that of the Knights Commanders, with somewhat more magnificence, it being in all respects the same, except that for the short cloak was substituted an ample flowing mantle, and for the feathers a larger and loftier plume.

The Privy Counsellors were dressed in blue satin and gold.

All at once the doors of the Hall, which had been opened, were suddenly closed; and there was a confused murmur among those at the gateway, which was soon circulated and explained, by a buzz of "The Queen." Some of the attendants were alarmıed for the moment; and the ladies were, for an instant, disturbed with an apprehension of some mysterious danger;-but the gates were presently re-opened, and all proceeded as gaily as ever.

The peers now poured in from behind the throne, all robed in crimson velvet, with ermine tippets, and rich coronets. The Royal Dukes also entered, and took their seats on each side of the throne. At about half-past nine the names of the peers were called over by one of the heralds, and the order of their procession was arranged. It is impossible for me to describe to you the hushed silence that reigned at intervals over the whole of the company; so breathless was the expectation, that the King was immediately about to enter. All that was noble in character and person, all that was imposing and lustrous in dress and costly furni ture, was lavished before the eye-and the massive table and empty throne only waited for one presence, to crown and complete the magnificent effect. The long wished-for moment arrived; and the people arose with waving handkerchiefs, and lofty voices, to greet the entrance of the King.

His Majesty advanced, arrayed in a stately dress. On his head was a rich purple velvet cap, jewelled, and adorned with a plume