THE

BEAUTIES

OF

England and Wales.

MIDDLESEX.

HISTORICAL PARTICULARS OF THE CITY OF LONDON, FROM THE FIFTIETH YEAR OF THE REIGN OF HIS PRESENT MAJESTY, GRORGE III. TO THE PEACE OF PARIS, IN 1814.

IN an earlier part of this work, mention was very briefly made of the great national Jubilee, kept in commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of his Majesty's birth-day; and with that short allusion the Editor closed his narrative of historical events. Since that time the City of London has witnessed many events of magnitude. They will be noticed in their order in this Chap

ter.

The City of London, as on all occasions for shewing their loyalty, was not wanting in the attention due to a circumstance of such importance as the Jubilee. At an early hour the day was ushered in by the ringing of bells in the different churches; and at half past ten the Lord Mayor proceeded from the Mansion House to Guildhall, in the City state Coach, drawn by his set of six beautiful grey horses, preceded by the trumpets sounding, and the band of the West London Militia playing God Save the King. At Guildhall his Lordship being joined by the members

of the Corporation, at half past eleven, the procession moved from thence to St. Paul's Church. In the large space between the iron gates and the west door, the West London Militia received his Lordship with presented arms; and on entering the west door of the Cathedral, he was received by the Dean and Chapter. The centre aisle to the choir was lined on each side by the River Fencibles, in full uniform. A most excellent and appropriate sermon was preached by his Lordship's Chaplain, from the 8th of the Second of Kings, and the 66th verse. And they blessed the King, and went into their tents joyful and glad of heart for all the goodness the Lord had done for David, his servaut, and for Israel his people."

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The Coronation Anthem was performed previous to the sermon, by the full choir with great effect. The procession returned about three o'clock, in the same order. At five o'clock, the Corporation were introduced up the grand staircase in front of the Mansion House, the trumpets sounding during their entrance into the vestibule. The building had been previously decorated with a splendid illumination, consisting of elegant devices of the Oak, the Shamrock, and the Thistle, in coloured lamps. In the centre was a radiant display of G. R. and the Crown, with "Long may he reign." On entering the grand Saloon, lined by the band of the West London Militia, playing God Save the King, Rule Britannia, &c. the company were individually received by the Lord Mayor in his robes of state. The Saloon was brilliantly lighted with several large Grecian lamps beautifully painted; and at half past five, the doors of the magnificent Egyptian Hall were thrown open, illuminated by the blaze of innumerable lamps, arranged round the pillars, and the elegant lustres and chandeliers suspended from the roof. The tables were laid out with the greatest taste, and covered with an elegant and hospitable dinner, the whole of it served in plate; and there was a plentiful supply of Madeira and Red Port of superior quality and flavour. The band continued during the dinner to play several military

and

and other airs. After the cloth was removed, Non nobis Domine, was sung by Messrs. Taylor, &c. &c. The Lord Mayor then gave "The King, God bless him, and long may he reign over a free and united people," drunk with three times three. When this effusion of loyal feeling had subsided, the grand national anthem of "God Save the King" was performed by the professional gentlemen present, with appropriate additional verses on the occasion, accompanied by the military band. The toasts which were select and loyal, were followed by Rule Britan nia, sung in full chorus by the band and the company present. The illuminations of the public buildings and offices were unusually tasteful and splendid on the occasion; to heighten the public joy, a proclamation was also issued for pardoning all deserters from the Fleet, whether they returned to their duty or not. Another proclamation announced the pardon of all deserters from the land forces, provided they surrendered in two months. The Lords of the Admiralty ordered an extra allowance of four pounds of beef; three pounds of flour, and a pound of raisins to every eight men in his Majesty's ships in port, or half a pint of rum each man. Eleven Crown debtors were also on this occasion discharged from prison by the Society for the relief of persons confined for Small Debts. The City of London had recently subscribed 1000l. to this useful institution. A form of prayer was likewise composed and ordered by authority to be read in the churches on this occasion.

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*

Another

"O God, in whose hands are the issues of life and death, and to whom alone it belongeth to distribute mercies, as well as in lengthening as in shortening the days of men, we yield thee praise and thanksgiving for the protection thou hast vouchsafed to our gracious Sovereign, during a long and arduous reign. Continue, we pray thee, thy watchfulness over him ; shield him from the open attacks of his enemies, and from hidden dangers; from the arrow that flieth by day, and from the pestilence that walketh in darkness; enlighten his Counsels for the public good: strengthen all his

measures;

Another benevolent trait in the Jubilee transpired through Mr. Percival, who sent a letter to the Society for the Relief of Persons confined for Small Debts, to say, that his Majesty had graciously given orders to present them with 20007. from his private purse. In addition to this his Majesty gave 10007. for the liberation of persons confined for small debts in Scotland; and the same sum for those under similar circumstances in Ireland. The Merchants of London, pursuant to the example set by the Corporation, also gave 20007. for the same charitable purposes.

What were called the O. P. riots at Covent Garden Theatre, about this time attracted considerable attention. The opening of this new house having been protracted till the 16th of December, the managers, in consequence of the great expence attending its building, thought proper to make an advance in the prices of admission; but though the whole rise was only one shilling on the boxes, and sixpence on the pit, this, with the circumstance of having fitted up a number of private boxes, which were thought to infringe upon the room of the galleries, excited a spirit of resistance in the audience which had never before been equalled by its pertinacity and continued duration. As this rise of the prices had necessarily been announced in the papers previous to the opening of the house, the opponents of the managers were prepared to act their parts. Accordingly, on the opening as before mentioned, it appeared that a number of persons were collected in all parts of the house, who, by their noise and riotous behaviour, by barking, shouting, groaning, cat calls, cries of off! off! old prices, &c. interrupted the performances, or rendered

them

measures; and when it shall seem fit to thine unerring wisdom, perfect the ends of both the restoration of peace and security to his people; of concord and independence to contending and bleeding nations. These blessings and mercies we implore for our Sovereign, ourselves, our allies, and our enemies, through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour." Amen.

them totally inaudible.

A crowd of people also assembled on the outside, actuated with like feelings and designs. This noise and riot having continued with increased violence for five successive nights, Mr. Kemble came forward, and announced the intention of the proprietors to shut up the house; having resolved to submit their accounts and concerns to the inspection of a committee of gentlemen of the first respectability, who should report their true state to the public. This committee consisted of Alderman Sir Charles Price, Bart. M. P. Sir Thomas Plomer, Knt. the Solicitor General; John Sylvester, Esq. Recorder of the City of London: John Whitmore, Esq. Governor of the Bank of England, and John Julius Angerstein, Esq. The report of the committee was, that the rate of profit actually received by the proprietors upon an average of the last six years, upon the capital embarked, amounted to 63 per cent. per annum, charging the concern with only the sum actually paid for insurance on such part of the capital as was insured; and that if the whole capital had been insured, the profit would have been reduced to little more than five per cent., &c.; further stating the opinion of the committee, that the future profits of the new theatre at the proposed advance, would amount to no more than three and a half per cent. per annum upon the capital expended in the theatre. However, notwithstanding the character of the committee, and the perspicuity of their statements, on re-opening the theatre, much to the surprise and mortification of the managers, the same discordant and hideous noises were resumed, with cries of "Old prices," "No garbled extracts to humbug John Bull," &c.

Placards also of this nature were not only renewed every night, but the noisy performances of the rioters were related in such a manner in most of the newspapers, as to give them confidence, and even add to their numbers. For the first two or three nights after the re-opening, these disturbances began at the commencement of the play; but when the rioters were tired of paying the full price, they reserved their opposition till the half price comA 3 menced