Imatges de pàgina
PDF
EPUB

staircase was lined and lighted like the preceding passage, but at the top there were two lateral recesses, hung with fluted black cloth and lighted by was lights placed against metal shields on the cloth.

ment or canopy.

At the top of this staircase was the entrance to the state chamber. This was hung very richly in thick festoons of black cloth, which appeared of a finer description than that of the preceding apartments. Two lines of wax lights in double rows, in metal sconces with shields, were hung round the chamber, and between the rows were hung small escutcheons, with the crown and quarterings of the royal arms. At the centre of the top of the chamber was placed the coffin, under a black canopy hung festoon fashion, with similar armorial bearings. At the back, under the canopy, was a hatchment with the Imperial Arms of England, in full, with the royal supporters. The coffin, which appeared of an immense bulk, was upon a stand immediately under this hatchA black pall was thrown over it, but turned up at the foot sufficiently to let the coffin itself be seen. On the top were two immensely large black velvet cushions, that nearest the foot supporting the glittering mitre-shaped crown of Hanover, whilst that placed nearly over the breast bore upon it the crown of England. A lord and two grooms in waiting in full dress were placed at the head, whilst a-breast of the coffin, on each side, was a triple line, consisting of four yeomen of the guard with their partizans hung with crape, two ushers in waiting, in full dress court suits, and black crape scarfs, and lastly three gentlemen pensioners, bearing each an armorial ensign, the union flag of England, the national flags of Scotland, Ireland, Hanover, &c. From the centre of the canopy, over the coffin, was suspended the royal standard of England, hung dependant by the corner, in memorial of the dead, instead of being expanded, or allowed to float by the wind as upon other public ceremonies. The escutcheon, or great hatchment at the head of the coffin was hung round with wax lights, varied in relation to those suspended in double rows round the room. At the foot of the coffin stood two heralds, with their tabards, and in full

costume.

Public View.

The arrangements for the access of the public were totally different from the above. Passing through Henry the

Eighth's gate to the north of the lower court, through several barriers, they were ushered in groups upon the beautiful terrace facing Eton College. When a sufficient number were admitted, a black flag was waved by the hussier at the extremity of the terrace, and the barriers were closed until the rooms were more free. The contrast here was most striking. Ascending a narrow flight of steps, the eye was delighted by the magnificent landscape, richly wooded, with the Thames rolling at the foot of "Venerable Eton;" the meadows studded with cattle, and every thing teeming with the expression of life and nature in her most bounteous gladness. In an instant the spectator passed into a long narrow line of interminable gloom, dimly lighted by tapers against the wall. From these narrow gothic passages, hung with black, the visitor came to three rooms in black, and lighted with wax lights in silver scon

ces.

These rooms had lines of yeomen and gentlemen pensioners, with crape scarfs, and partizans, and staves of office hung with crape. But the most characteristic and superb effect was produced by the huge forms and stately figures of the household troops, the cuirasses and helmets shining against the gloomy black which enveloped every thing, and their martial figures appearing of increased size by the dimness of the funeral lights amidst which they were placed. The long vista through the different chambers had an effect full of character, and was in itself beautiful. The eye traced an immense line of black, with the scintillations of light reflected by the silver shields, until they grew fainter and fainter, and at last were lost in impenetrable gloom.

THE CHAPEL.

The locale of a ceremony like the present, if it is of a character corresponding with the nature of the solemnity, is usually the most impressive part of the scene; and on the present occasion the interior of the Chapel Royal was decidedly so. Let the reader conceive, in the first instance, a gothic pile of the purest yet richest order, and in the most perfectly beautiful condition, empty of all but its own infinite variety of ornament,-upon which a glorious setting sun flung, through the magnificent painted oriel window of the west end, a blaze of many coloured transmitted light, which gave to the cold fret work of the side windows, the clustering shafts of the columns, and even the dark floor itself, all the brilliant tints

of an autumn evening sky. With the exception of the floor, and the temporary barriers between which the proeession was to pass, all was as on ordinary occasions-the bare stone, of one unbroken colour. But the whole floor and the barriers just referred to (about three feet in height) and running on either side the centre aisle, were covered with black cloth, which, while it gave a monotonous gloom to the whole lower part of the scene, kept the whole in silence, by muffling the tread of the military, who were the only early occupants of the place. Imagine various groups of these latter, of various arms and uniforms, scattered here and there, leaning, lying, standing, or sauntering about-most of them in dresses the gorgeous richness and glittering gaiety of which contrasted in a striking manner with the severe simplicity and stony stillness of hue appertaining to every object around them. On entering the chapel at six o'clock, the above was the aspect which it presented the spectator not being able to assign any particular place or arrangement to the va rious official persons who were within the black barriers above-named.

Looking at the interior of the chapel from its great western door of entrance, the whole of it was appropriated to the purposes of the funeral procession, except the left or north aisle, the whole length of which latter spot was given to that portion of the public which was allowed tickets of admission to witness the solemnity within the walls. This north aisle was in part filled up with lines of seats, rising one above another from about the centre of the aisle to the side walls, and entirely covered, like the floor and barriers, with black cloth. The remainder of the aisle, during its whole length, was left vacant to pass and re-pass; but this part, like the rest, was exclusively devoted to spectators. By about six o'clock every seat of this space was filled, and the greater portion of the standing room below and in front, also the organ gallery; and thus matters remained till towards eight o'clock, except that, at intervals, the military were aroused from their air of listless and inattentive indifference, to one of momentary excitement and preparation, only to again relapse into the former: till at length, shortly after eight o'clock, the presence of the non-military func tionaries increased every moment; the choristers, in their white attire, were seen passing hither and thither; the

military were provided with flambeaux, and were placed in the exact position and order in which they were to receive the procession; the inner scene of the choir itself was gradually invested with scattered lights, which, as the sunshine left the great western oriel, and withdrew its blaze, waxed dim and obscure in the coming twilight, the great outer body of the chapel itself shortly afterwards becoming wrapped in the same dim mantle: and, finally, a little before nine o'clock, as the evening closed in, the flambeaux of the long double array of steel-clad troops who lined the centre aisle on either side were lighted, one by one, and threw "a dim" light all about them, which was reflected a thousand fold in the bright helmets and glittering breast-plates of the holders; these flambeaux being the only source of light to that part of the chapel exterior to the choir.

If the reader invests the scene with a hum of many low sounds, blended into one indistinct yet incessant murmur, broken at intervals of every five minutes by the boom of the gun discharged at a short distance from the Chapel during the day, till the Royal Body was deposited in its last resting place, he will gain a distinct notion of the locale and its appendages, about to be the scene of the expected ceremony, better than we are able to offer by mere words.

THE FUNERAL.

This

It was exactly at nine o'clock that the distant and indistinct sound of trumpets from without, gave notice to the expectant assembly within the walls of the chapel, that the procession had moved from its place of formation, and might shortly be expected in sight. "note of preparation" had the effect of rousing every one from the fatigued and listless attitude and sentiment of indifference, into which four or five hours of half anxious, half displeased attendance had thrown them. The military were placed in strict military array; a company of the splendid Household troops lining the centre aisle-the Grenadier Guards holding the same position in the south aisle a mixed array occupying the western end of the chapel-the choristers being stationed at the south-western corner, to commence their chaunt at the due period-and, finally, all the rest of the space filled by anxious spectators, excited to a pitch of attention proportioned to the long and fatigued expectation which had preceded it. At last, the door at

[blocks in formation]

which it reached about ten o'clock; the sound of the trumpets and muffled kettle drums had been previously heard, and the notes of the solemn service of the funeral; nothing could be finer than the performance of the "Dead March in Saul," by the band of the Household Troops.

The choir, under the direction of Sir George Smart, took a part in the service as the coffin entered; the Dean, Subdean, and Canons of St. George's Chapel were at the south door to receive the procession. The choristers of the Chapel Royal took their station at the entrance with wax tapers, and Sir George Smart commenced the vocal part of the burial service, aided by Messrs. Kynvett, Vaughan, Sale, Salnon, Hawes, Welsh, Goulding, and Clark. The music was from Handel, Purcell, and Croft. It commenced with the sublime passage

"I am the resurrection and the life, saith the Lord: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me, shall never die.-John xi. 25, 26.

"I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth. And though after my skin, worms destroy this body; yet in my flesh shall I see God, whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another.-Job xix. 25, 26, 27.

"We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord."-1 Tim. vi. 7.-Job i. 21.

out.

At this part of the service the procession had advanced through the great door of the organ-loft, and the heralds had marshalled it upon the floor of the choir. The King was immediately behind the coffin, robed in a magnifi

cent purple velvet cloak, decorated with a large star; he walked to the edge of the aperture which led to the tomb, where a chair, covered with black velvet, was provided for His Majesty's use. There was some bustle by the Heralds in ushering the members of the procession to their several stalls. The Dean and Canons advanced within the rails of the chancel, filing off right and left before the communion table, which was covered with massive plate. The Dukes of Devonshire, Buckingham, St. Alban's, Beaufort, &c. took their seats in the stalls in the body of the choir. The Earl Marshal stood near His Majesty, and the Duke of Wellington, who was in his Field Marshal's uniform, remained behind his chair during the service. Upon purple velvet stools at each side of the Royal vault, sat as mourners with His Majesty, their Royal Highnesses the Dukes of Cumberland, Sussex, Gloucester, and Prince Leopold. Their mourning cloaks were richly embroidered, and Prince Leopold wore a general's uniform. A dense body of noblemen and gentlemen filled the body of the choir, and there was a gloom and duskiness from the smoke of the tapers and flambeaux, which, while it did not prevent the principal actors in the solemnity from being seen, increased the effect of the picture by the mass of shade which it cast upon the inferior groups. The arrangement follows:

was

as

Trumpets and kettle drums, and drums and

fifes of the Foot Guards

Drums and fifes of the Royal Household

Trumpets & kettle drums of the R. Household

Knight Marshal's Men, two and two, with black staves

Knight Marshal's Officers
The Knight Marshal
Poor Knights of Windsor

Pages of his Majesty
Pages of his late Majesty
Apothecary to his Majesty

Apothecary to his late Surgeons to his late
Majesty
Majesty
Curate of Windsor Vicar of Windsor
Gentlemen Ushers Quarterly Waiters to his
late Majesty.

Grooms of the Privy Chamber to his late

Pages of Honour to his late Majesty

Majesty Gentlemen Ushers Daily Waiters to his late Majesty

Serjeant Surgeon to his late Majesty Physicians to his late Majesty Household Chaplain to his late Majesty. Equerries to his Royal Highness Prince Leopold of Saxe Coburg

Equerries to his R. H the Duke of Glocester Equerries to his R. H. the Duke of Cambridge Equerries to his R. H. the Duke of Sussex Equerries to his R.H. the Duke of Cumberland Equerries to her R.H. the Duchess of Kent. Aides-de-Camp to his late Majesty

[blocks in formation]
[blocks in formation]

THE CHIEF MOURNER, THE KING'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY, in a long purple cloak, with the Star of the Order of the Garter embroidered thereon, wearing the Collars of the Garter, the Bath, the Thistle, St. Patrick, and the Royal Hanoverian Guelphie Order, attended by his Royal Highness Prince George, of Cumberland Train Bearers-The Dukes of Buckingham and Beaufort.

Supporter,

A Duke

A Duke Supporter,

Sixteen Peers, Assistants to the Chief Mourner

PRINCES OF THE BLOOD ROYAL

His Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex,

in a long black cloak, with the Star of the Order of the Garter embroidered thereon, and wearing the Collars of the Garter, the Thistle, and the Royal Hanoverian Guelphic Order ;his Train borne by two Gentlemen of his Royal Highness's Household His Royal Highness the Prince Leopold of Saxe Coburg, in a long black cloak, with the Star of the Order of the Garter embroidered thereon, and wearing the Collars of the Garter, the Bath, and the Royal Hanoverian Guelphic Order; his train borne by two Gentlemen of his Royal Highness's Household.

His Royal Highness

the Duke of Cumberland, in a long black cloak, with the Star of the Order of the Garter embroidered thereon, and wearing the Collars of the Garter, the Bath, St. Patrick, and the Royal Hanov.Guelphic Order; his Train borne by twoGentlemen of his R. Highness's Household. His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester, in a long black cloak,with the Star of the Order of the Garter embroidered thereon, and wearing the Collars of the Garter, the Bath, and the Royal Hanoverian Guelphic Order; - his Train borne by two Gentlemen of his Royal Highness's Household

A Royal Guard of Honour, composed of 140 rank and file, with officers and non-commissioned officers in equal proportions, from the King's company, the Coldstream, and 3d Regiments of Guards, commanded by the Captain of the King's Company. Gentlemen Pensioners, with their axes reversed

Yeoman of the Guard, with their partisans reversed.

Soon after the King was seated, the 39th and 90th psalms were sung; after which, the Dean of Windsor read the lesson; and the first anthem, "Hear my prayer!" by Kent, was sung; and afterwards, immediately before the collect, "O merciful God!" the second anthem, by Handel. The "Dead March in Saul" followed. The Dean of Windsor read the first part of the service from the altar, and the conclusion from the right side of the vault. The performance of the psalms and anthem lasted nearly two hours. The fine anthem of "His body is buried in peace," was then chanted; and his Majesty, rising from his seat, retired by the door under the Queen's closet.

When his Majesty rose to retire, he recognised and conversed familiarly with the persons who were around him; and expressed his thanks to the Earl Marshal, and the principal official conductors of the ceremony.

After his Majesty had retired, and at the conclusion of the service, Sir George Nayler proclaimed the titles of the deceased monarch, and broke his wand of office into the grave. A solemn voluntary was then played by the organist; as it was concluded before the procession left the chapel, it was followed by the "Dead March in Saul," which was continued until the procession had again returned into the open air.

The coffin was only lowered about two feet below the aperture of the subterraneous passage; the splendid pall was removed as the body was lowered, and the state coffin exposed to view. A number of persons crowded around the vault when the ceremony was concluded. Among them were the Dukes of St. Alban's and Athol; the Marquisses of Clanricarde, Salisbury, Hertford, and Conyngham, and the Speaker of the House of Commons. The Duke of Wellington left the choir immediately after the king, and joined his Majesty in the aisle of Edward the Fourth's tomb. His Grace conducted the King to his carriage in the lower ward, by the gate leading from the

cloisters, and his Majesty drove off, accompanied by the Duke of Sussex, escorted by a party of lancers, to Frogmore.

The Queen was not present, nor was the Duchess of Cumberland; the closets intended for their reception were filled by gentlemen of the household.

As soon as the ceremony was over, the people of Windsor were generally admitted through the choir. The coffin was afterwards deposited upon the stone table of the mausoleum.

It was a singular incident, as connected with this mournful ceremony, that the works in the choir were hardly finished when the procession itself was actually in motion from the grand staircase of the State Apartment. The carpenters had barely finished the canopy over the vault, and the shavings were unswept from the floor, when the minute guns of the park announced the funeral to be in motion. As the King departed from St. George's Chapel, a rocket was discharged from the parapet, which was the signal for the cessation of the din of the minute guns in the Long Walk.

THE DREAM OF A BOOKWORM. (Continued from p. 35.)

For the Olio.

THE name of this gentleman was Lewis de Mompensier. He was learned and valiant, well skilled in all the elegant accomplishments of that age; a bold and fearless horseman, an expert fencer, and a graceful dancer; he was the favourite of all the fair ladies of Paris. To one gentlewoman he was most passionately attached, but unfortunately she had long been wedded to a man many years her senior, who treated her with great harshness and cruelty. The husband soon became acquainted with their secret meetings, and, fearing to meet his rival openly, by a course of diabolical contrivances impeached the chevalier of practices against the state, and he was one night seized by several men in his own chamber, and hurried to that horrid prison, the Bastile, where, perhaps, he lingered till death ended his sufferings. I, and the rest of the chevalier's property, was seized upon by the harpies of the law, and became, after passing through several hands, the property of an old advocate, as black hearted a monster as

« AnteriorContinua »