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and places adjacent, and placed themselves on different parts of the road. The high hedge on the north side of the road was covered with spectators; and several carriages, filled with company, were placed on the common on the other side. The soldiers continued under arms until about a quarter before two o'clock, when an orderly dragoon came galloping along the road, with information that the king was approaching; and in less than ten minutes his majesty came up in his travelling carriage, attended by an escort of dragoons. In the mean time a royal salute was fired from the guns in the Artillery-ground, the officers took their proper stations in the line, the soldiers presented arms, the bands struck up the national anthem of "God save the king," and the colours were lowered as his majesty passed. At the same time all the spectators testified their loyalty, the gentlemen by taking off their hats, and the ladies by waving their handkerchiefs. His majesty seemed highly gratified by this mark of respectful attention: he frequently took off the travelling cap which he wore, and bowed most graciously from his carriage-window to the assembled multitude. The troops and the spectators remained in the places which they occupied until the royal carriage was out of sight, by passing to the other side of the hill; the troops were then marched to their respective quarters, and the different groups of company retired to their homes.

His majesty changed horses at Dartford, where the 16th dragoons attended. He was met on the road by the West Kent militia, as

well as by several gentlemen on horseback, and parties in carriages; and the 56th, the sappers and miners, and the royal marines, were in the city, attended by their bands, and formed a guard of honour.

The preparations made at Canterbury to give effect to the reception of his majesty, on his entrance, were very extensive. By twelve o'clock, the doorways and windows of almost every house in the long main street, were nearly literally covered with fresh and large oak boughs. The street was covered with new gravel. There were several colours suspended from different windows, as well as various banners, and on some of the latter were sundry inscriptions; and, by the same hour, the East Kent yeomanry (another division of the corps), under the command of sir Edward Knatchbull, baronet, M. P., were in attendance, fully equipped. They soon afterwards proceeded along the road, to take up their stations, and thence marched to meet his majesty on his approach. They were accompanied by various private gentlemen on horseback.

The crowds assembled, of ladies as well as gentlemen, to meet his majesty, were immense. The corporation were in attendance soon after noon, but it was intimated to them that time would prevent his majesty from receiving here, as well as elsewhere, the dutiful addresses of his loyal subjects.

Extensive preparations also were made at Ramsgate for the king's reception.

The principal streets were covered with fine gravel, and the neighbouring fields and gardens were stripped of their shrubs and flowers

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to form festoons, arches, and other decorations, the foliage of which, waving with the wind, had a beautiful effect. The influx of the people into the town was prodigious, the roads leading to it being covered with pedestrians, and carriages of every description, not only from Margate, Broadstairs, and other parts of the adjacent - coast, but from the distant points of the interior of the county.

The embarkation of his majesty took place on the 25th, under circumstances which must prove to him the loyalty and devotion of the people of that place and its neighbourhood. His majesty left the residence of sir William Curtis about half-past ten, in an open landau, accompanied by lord Liverpool, the marquis Conyngham, sir William Curtis, &c. and immediately proceeded to the pier or (Trinity) house, where the following address was presented. "To the king's most excellent majesty.

"We, your majesty's dutiful and loyal subjects, the inhabitants and visitors of the town of Ramsgate and its vicinity, beg leave respectfully to approach your majesty's most sacred person, to testify the unfeigned joy and happiness which we this day experience, by your majesty's having most graciously condescended to honour us with your royal presence. "That after a prosperous voyage to your majesty's continental dominions, you may shortly return to continue your reign for many many years, over a loyal and happy people, is our most ardent wish."

Of his majesty's answer, read

by himself, the following is the substance :-—

"I receive with great satisfaction the loyal and dutiful address of the inhabitants and visitors of Ramsgate, as well as the general testimony of attachment and affection from all classes of my subjects. I am leaving my dominions for a short period only, and thank you for your cordial wishes for my return. This is not the first time I have been in this attractive place, and I trust it will not be the last." In a few minutes his majesty proceeded by the boarded platform to the barge, into which, as he descended, he took off his cap, repeatedly placed his hand to his breast, and bowed with the most. condescending familiarity to the assembled thousands who lined the pier. In the same manner he continued bowing until he had nearly reached the Royal George, which he ascended at precisely eleven o'clock. A royal salute was immediately fired from the pier, and the sloops of war which were to accompany his majesty observed the same respectful ceremony. At a quarter after eleven o'clock, the royal yacht was under way, and not veering, was generally understood to proceed for Calais. Before one o'clock, the whole of the royal squadron was almost out of sight, and as the wind was in the most favourable point for the French coast, it was calculated to reach Calais between five and six o'clock in the evening. Sir Benjamin Bloomfield, accompanied by Mr. William Curtis, proceeded to Calais at two o'clock in the morning with the baggage of his majesty, and also for the

purpose

purpose of regulating the mode of travelling most conformable to the royal wishes.

His majesty disembarked safely at Calais, at half-past four o'clock, where he was received with all the honours which the French authorities had it in their power to demonstrate. There not being sufficient water in the harbour to permit the entrance of large vessels, his majesty went on shore in one of the pilot-boats, attended by different personages of his suite. On his landing he saluted the multitude of persons, French and English, assembled to witness his arrival, with that peculiar grace and affability for which he is justly proverbial, and which were never displayed to greater advantage than on this interesting occasion. After walking some distance on the pier, he ascended his carriage, which had been some time in waiting for him, and proceeded at a very slow pace (by his own express orders) to Dessein's hotel. The streets in the course of his progress had been previously covered with fine sand, and the whole way was lined with the military, (the 2nd regiment), one of the finest in the French service, commanded by the duke de Ceres, which of course presented arms, and showed his majesty every mark of respect. The king appeared delighted with his reception; and the number of his subjects who greeted him in a foreign land with the most unequivocal marks of loyalty, could not fail to heighten the pleasure which he seemed to experience. In the evening, at eight o'clock, his majesty entered the theatre, and short as was the notice, much

1821.

praise is due to the manager for the arrangements he had made.

His majesty sat in the centre, in front of the box. On his left was the French general the marquis de Jumillac, in full costume; and on his right, the venerable duke de Chartre. On the king's entrance the whole house rose simultaneously, and the orchestra struck up our national anthem, "God save the king," which was admirably performed, and the words sung enthusiastically by the whole audience, both French and English. Shouts of applause followed, and a universal encore rang through the house. His majesty, however, who was evidently most sensibly affected by the feelings evinced towards him in a foreign land, mentioned that he wished to decline its repetition. The audience understood him, and after another hearty congratulation, they took their seats, and the performance proceeded. On retiring, his majesty gracefully saluted the audience, and left the house univer. sally applauded.

The next morning he set out for Lisle, and from thence to Brussels, where he arrived on the 27th.

At Capel, department Du Nord, his majesty, on his road to Brussels, was received in the most distinguished manner by the French military and civil authorities. There was a general expression of respect from the English, of "God bless your majesty! May your majesty enjoy a long and happy reign." To which the king replied, by thanks most feelingly uttered, and repeated obeisances. His majesty looked extremely well, and seemed delighted and surprised

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surprised to receive warm and sincere congratulations in his own language where he little expected it, for there are very few English residents there. Nine English cheers, to which the French added a cordial chorus, were the final salute. The mayor and all the authorities were present, and saluted, and it must not be omitted, that, from amidst the French clergy, one gentleman stepped forward, and, in good English, said, he was happy on his native soil to thank his majesty, which he did with sincere gratitude, on behalf of his brethren and himself, for the support and protection they had received in England, and he devoutly prayed his majesty might enjoy a long and happy reign. The king thanked the gentleman in the most cordial manner for his good wishes.

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On the 28th he dined with the king of the Netherlands at the palace of Lacken, a short distance from the capital. His majesty proceeded to the palace of his royal brother, attended in the same carriage by lord Clancarty, our ambassador at the Belgian court, and the marquis of Conyngham. On the 29th his majesty dined in his apartments, and honoured the theatre with his presence in the evening. Mr. Bernard, the manager of the opera, composed a little occasional piece, entitled 'Heureuse Arrivee, to celebrate the visit of his Britannic majesty to the Brussels opera on the 29th of September. A multitude of compliments, more or less adroitly introduced, found, as might be expected, a place in this vaudeville. The Belgic journal quotes the following verses as

among the most elegant, and best adapted to the occasion :--

"Tous les ans par le plaisir "Reunis, l'ame enivree, "Nous boirons au souvenir "De cette heureuse journee." What signifles rhyme when the sentiment is so a-propos? But the great exertion of ingenuity which followed the vaudeville. was reserved for the pantomime Of it the reader may judge by one of its pictures which the journalist eulogizes:-"A gardener," basket of flowers, which, at the says he, arrives with a large out leaps a pretty little cupid, moment he presents it, opens, and dressed" (Guess, reader, how!)

as an English officer!!!"

field of Waterloo, to attend a reOn the 30th he repaired to the view of troops, and to witness, in company with the duke of Welthe battle which decided the fate lington, a mimic representation of of Napoleon, and restored the Bourbons. Thence he proceeded through Namur, Liege, Aix-laChapelle and Dusseldorf, to Hanrived on Monday, October the over, at which latter place he ar8th. The town was all life and splendor; the streets were illu. minated, the military drawn out rung, and the population flocking on duty, the guns fired, the bells from all sides towards the barrier through which his majesty entered: all appeared animated with enthusiasm. Notwithstanding the the most loyal and affectionate distance from Brussels to Hanover, and the rapidity with which not in the least suffered beyond the the king travelled, his health had ordinary fatigue consequent upon the movement and confinement of a carriage; and even of this his

majesty

majesty had less appearance than most of those who composed his suite. The receptions, however, were rather private; and the addresses and formal congratulations of the authorities and other public bodies were postponed to the following and future days."

The following extract is from the Hannoverische Nachrichten. "The most ardent expectations of faithful subjects are realized; their most ardent wishes are fulfilled. The king, notwithstanding the lateness of the season, has disregarded the great distance, to come to his children, and since yesterday afternoon, at five o'clock, the Hanoverians possess their beloved sovereign..

From an early hour in the morning, thousands of persons in carriages, on horseback, and on foot, hastened out to meet our revered sovereign, and the road was thronged for miles with countless multitudes. A signal gun announced to the eagerly expecting inhabitants of the city and neighbourhood, the approach of the monarch: their expectations were farther heightened, when a royal salute showed that the moment was at hand; the loudest acclamations resounded as soon as the royal carriage came in sight. His majesty had let down the windows, and saluted in the most gracious manner, the numerous and rejoicing multitude, who were particularly thronged in the vicinity of the palace at Herrenhausen.

His majesty was received by his royal brothers, the princes of Brunswick, the ministers, the chief officers of the royal household, and the officers of the court then on duty. The band of the

Yagers of the guard played "God save the king," and the royal standard was hoisted on the palace. At the same moment, the court-yard of the palace was filled by an innumerable assemblage, who broke out into the most enthusiastic transports when his majesty showed himself at the window. His majesty, sensible of the wishes of the expecting crowd, came into the balcony between his royal sisters-in-law, and bowing repeatedly, most gracefully saluted the delighted multitude, who kept up an uninterrupted hurrah. His majesty had the goodness to indulge his affectionate people with the sight of him for at least ten minutes: and, after he had repeatedly acknowledged the loud testimonies of the loyalty of the Hanoverians, withdrew to his apartments.

As the court yard still continued to fill with new crowds, eager to behold their sovereign, his majesty had the condescension again to show himself twice in the balcony, and was again saluted with the most unequivocal expressions of joy and gratitude. The 8th of October has been a festival; it gave the inhabitants of this capital their beloved sovereign for the second time.

On the 9th, his imperial highness the archduke Ferdinand was presented to his majesty, and likewise prince Frederick of Hesse, and the prince of Tour and Taxis. The king dined in private with his brothers and the above mentioned princes, and the princes of Brunswick, who were presented to his majesty on his arrival. At table, prince George, son of the duke of Cumberland, and prince George, son of the Duke of Cambridge,

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were

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