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metropolis of the British Empire, was also the Centenary of the elevation of the Illustrious House of Brunswick to the Throne of these realms. To commemorate so glorious an event, as also the happy restoration of peace, it was resolved by government, that rejoicings on a very extended scale should take place. The 1st of August was the day fixed for the grand festivity to take place. As early as six in the morning, the whole of the vast population of London was in motion: the streets leading to the Parks were lined with passengers of every description, all anxious to participate in the Jubilee. In addition to the glorious Centenary of the Brunswick Accession, and a general Peace, it was the anniversary of the glorious Battle of the Nile, by the immortal Hero of Trafalgar. To make every pleasing accommodation for the public, Hyde Park was entirely open, with a fair, possessing amusements and accommodations equal to arrangements in the other Parks.

The Green Park was also open to the people with the mall, to which the public had access by New Street and Spring Gardens as far as Constitution Hill. The lower part of the Park, and the Bird-cage Walk, were reserved for such persons as chose to purchase tickets in order to avoid the crowd. Every precaution' was taken for their happiness, comfort, and security. There were amusements in abundance to gratify all, and to prevent the pressure which would have been felt at one general exhibition, all the amusements began nearly at one time, in consequence of which, the body of spectators was separated by being drawn to distant parts of the Park, where the entertainments were going on.

By an excellent and judicious arrangement, no carriages or horsemen were permitted to enter or remain stationary near the avenues. The gates remained shut all the forenoon, and the public were informed by a notice, that persons would not be admitted before two o'clock, p.m. they were also requested for their own convenience, not to assemble round the doors before the appointed time of admission.

At two o'clock, there was a great rush into the Park, and the torrent continued pouring in until the Green Park was one compact mass of persons. It presented a most extracrdinary sight, heads were seen rising one above the other up Constitution Hill, as regularly as

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though they had been packed together. While every spot of grass was concealed by the multitude, the trees apparently bending under the weight of persons who took their stations on the branches.

There could not be greater attention paid to the feelings of the multitude than was contained in the following address to the public, which was round the scene of hilarity and enjoyment.

"Let not the people listen to those who would poison their minds-to those who are constant enemies of all public joy. Let them be assured, that the object of this peaceful festival is to give to all ranks of society a grateful occasion of indulging in the full participation of happiness, whick after an arduous and trying contest, crowned with unprecedented success, peace has entitled them to."

In St. James's Park, the company with tickets entered by Fludyer Street, Story's Gate, Buckingham Gate, and Queen Square. Many of the nobility entered through Lord Melbourne's, and other houses in the Park within the fence which extended from the Horse Guards to the railway near the canal. There was also another fence enclosing Buckingham House and the lawn. The company found within the inclosure all that could charm the eye, and delight the mind.

On the South bank of the canal, tents were erected to afford coolness and refreshment to the company. Between the tents appeared flags of all nations, with superb crescents and stars of variegated lamps. The trees were entwined by lamps and pleasing ornaments of various descriptions. At some distance from the above range, there was another consisting of large rooms for dancing, taverns, coffee-houses, and places affording comfortablé refreshments. One displayed the word "IMPERIAL," in large lamps. Another had a beautiful transparency representing Britannia seated on a rock. A boy finely painted recorded in a book the names of Alexander, Frederick, Schwartzenberg, Blucher, and Winzingerode. The bust of Wellington was placed above all." PEACE" between branches of laurel, and other devices, were also conspicuous.

VOL. II.-39.

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On the side of the canal, next the mall, there was the same display of tents, and excellent accommodation.

Nearly all the wherries on the canal were occupied by company rowing up and down with bands of music, and all the appendages to a regatta.

The lawn in front of Buckingham House was inclosed for the purpose of filling and sending up a balloon. At five o'clock a most magnificent ærial globe was sufficiently inflated, and nearly all the spectators crowded round the spot. Her Majesty attended by the Duke of Wellington, Lord Castlereagh, Lord Buckinghamshire, Lord Rivers, Lord Burghurst, Marquis Wellesley, the Princesses and several Peeresses came and inspected the apparatus by which it was filled. About six o'clock, the car was brought to the balloon, to be fastened to the cords of the netting; it was formed of crimson silk, with yellow fancy ornaments, a rose colour canopy, and flags bearing appropriate labels. Just before the balloon ascended, guns in Hyde Park announced the attack on the supposed enemy's fleet in the Serpentine, and a vast number of people left Constitution Hill and the Green Park in consequence. So soon as the balloon was adjusted, Mr. Sadler, Jun. ascended amidst the shouts of a million spectators; the sky was uncommonly serene and beautiful, and it rose majestically; it was accounted one of the finest ascensions since Lunardi's on Sept. 15, 1784. Mr. Sadler, as his balloon was rising, threw out cards, ballast, &c.

At eight o'clock in the evening, the Pagoda and Chinese bridge over the canal began to be illuminated. It is scarcely possible to give a just description of the effulgence produced by this magnificent structure. The two grand pillars forming the ascent to the bridge were crowned by suns displaying in the centre, G. P. R. The top was adorned with stars, that added beauty to the whole. The naval arch, which formed a bridge from the

Mr. Sadler, sen. had previously ascended with his son from Bur lington Gardens on July 22, and descended at Great Warley, near Oakingham, Essex. The young ærial traveller, who ascended from the Queen's Palace, after being forty minutes in the air, landed in a field fifteen miles below Gravesend, on the Essex side of the Thames. As he was descending, an accident happened to the net-work of the balloon, which interrupted his communication with the valve. He was obliged, therefore, to apply a pair of scissars to cut an opening in the balloon, to facilitate his descent, or he must inevitably have perished in the sea.

lawn of the Queen's house to the Green Park, was a tribute to our gallant officers in the navy. The names of Howe, Duncan, St. Vincent, Collingwood, Broke, Saumarez, Exmouth, &c. were displayed in large letters with chaplets of laurel. The malls of the Park were illuminated with Chinese lanterns, ornamented with picturesque and grotesque designs; and every tree had variegated lamps intermingled with its foliage. Bands of music were stationed at various distances, and spaces were provided on different parts of the lawn for those who admired the pleasures of dancing.

The

About ten o'clock, the Chinese bridge was completely lighted up. Imagination cannot conceive an object more splendid and magnificent. The bridge, pillars, pagoda, &c. were so completely lighted, as to appear a structure of flaming gold. The water beneath reflecting the light of the bridge as well as of the stars and crescents on each side, and agitated by a thousand dashing oars, presented a most pleasing and grand appearance. Temple was illuminated as to appear a fortress, and to that quarter all eyes were directed by the discharge of cannon, which was understood to announce the commencement of the fire-works. It is impossible to give even a remote idea of the effect produced by the firing of guns in rapid succession against the Temple, then presenting the appearance of a fortress, and the ascent of globes of fire, some bursting in the air into a thousand stars, and some rising in the most perfect elevation, all instantaneously proceeding from the Chinese bridge and the Temple. The arrangement and variety of the fire works was truly admirable. At one moment, rockets rapidly pursued each other, and burst at such an extraordinary height in the air, that in some instances, the explosion was scarcely heard. Again, there appeared copious and magnificent clusters of rockets, stunning the ear with rapid and irregular explosions, varying in co lour and in splendour; and intersecting each other in irregular lines. The spectators were equally astonished and delighted by the grandeur and diversity of them.

When the appearance of the fire-works began to slacken, the cannon again began to roar in the neigh bourhood of the Temple, many guns were fired in quick and terrific succession. A cloud of smoke was formed, so as completely to envelop the Temple, hiding it

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wholly from the eyes of the spectators. In the mean time, most unfortunately, the beautiful Chinese edifice on the bridge by some accident took fire: the engines were brought to bear upon it so promptly, that the bridge was saved from destruction, even after part of it had taken fire. After the Pagoda had been burning for a considerable time, it gave way, and the part from the third pyramidal story to the top fell blazing with a tremendous crash into the water. One person was unfortunately killed by this lamentable accident.

Soon as the guns had ceased firing, the Temple began gradually to appear, but metamorphosed into an inconceivably brilliant TEMPLE OF PEACE. So magnificent was this spectacle, that it was received with an immediate and universal shout of applause. The whole fabric was so completely illuminated, as to appear a temple of fire ; but having at the same time the pedestal pillars, and all the other parts distinctly and accurately visible, with all the decorations completely exposed to view. The Royal booth and the adjoining gallery were illuminated by the names of the officers of the army, in vivid letters formed by lamps. Hyde Park exhibited a most interesting scene. It was entirely thrown open to the populace, and all carriages were excluded. On the great plain between the ring and Park-lane, two rows of booths and shows, intermixed with swings, round-a-bouts, and ups and downs, extended from North to South.

At six o'clock the Naumachia, or sea-fight on the Serpentine River commenced. This interesting spectacle of a sea-fight, so appropriate to a nation, whose flag waves triumphant in the ocean, began by a supposed action between two British and two American frigates. The first broadside was hardly fired, when ample testimony was borne to the propriety of opening such a spectacle for the gratification of Englishmen. No sooner was the first shot fired, than the general anxiety for the honour of the British trident was so great, that the shows and booths poured out their myriads, who rushed upon the shores of the Serpentine, to cheer our brave tars with their presence, and share the honour of the naval flag. The American frigates lay at anchor, the English of course were no sooner under sail, than they made all possible haste to be with them; the English had no sooner weighed anchor, than they felt the effect of a fine

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