to the wounded, and to the widows, children, and relatives of those who had met a glorious death in the field of Waterloo. All ranks, all classes, hastened to raise a fund for the sacred purpose. The sentiment was universal, and pervaded alike the palace and the cottage. The inhabitants of the most obscure and humble village, when assembled to return thanks to the great Disposer of events for his signal protection, contributed with cheerful alacrity. This benevolent impulse was not limited to the British isles: with electric rapidity it passed to the most distant regions, and excited the glow of patriotism in every quarter of the globe. Justly was it observed by the Marquis of Hastings (on transmitting a portion of the magnificent contributions of our Eastern dependencies), that " That subject of the British Empire must indeed be unworthy of those blessings and of those honours to which he was born, who does not acknowledge a kindred interest in the fortunes of the army which fought at Waterloo." Nor is the subscription less a just tribute of admiration and gratitude to the great Commander of the age, to whom was reserved the glorious and singular destiny, by a series of victories in the fields of Asia and of Europe, to lay in each the broad foundations of permanent peace. The Committee have proceeded, as far as was practicable, to apply the principle of Annuities. Had they at once distributed the whole amount among the various ranks of claimants, their labours would have been brought to an early termination; but, on maturely weighing the consequences of either plan, they determined rather to encounter the numerous difficulties attendant on the former than to abandon the manifest advantages resulting from its adoption. Exclusive of life annuities to the widows, and to soldiers disabled by loss of limb, annuities for limited periods are granted, not only for the maintenance of the orphan and fatherless children, but adequate to the degree of education suited to their several conditions. And, should the sword be again unsheathed, the Committee trust that children thus educated in the principles of religion and morality, and attached to their country by the united considerations of birth and of gratitude, may decorate their parents' grave with the laurels of future victories; or, should the blessings of peace be continued, will serve their country in the less splendid, though not less useful, career of the industrious citizen. For the attainment of ends so deeply interesting to the honour and prosperity of our country, the Committee still continue their labours; and they indulge a confident hope, that the important trust confided to their management will be discharged in a manner to fulfil the benevolent intentions of the subscribers. Waterloo Subscription Office, 18th June, 1817. General Account of the Waterloo Subscription to May 31, 1817. To the Widows of Officers, Non-commissioned Officers, and To the Wounded Non-commissioned Officers, and Privates To dependent Relatives Amount of Annuites for Life Annuities granted for limited Periods. To the Children of Officers, Non-commissioned Officers, and £9,594 1,649 £11,783 £8,314 9,209 £20,992 Voted in Money. To the Wounded Officers, Non-commissioned Officrs, and Privates To the Foreign Troops, viz.: £71,126 28,577 Prussians, Brunswickers, Hanoverians, and Netherlanders Additional for the exclusive benefit of their Orphans, rendered such by the Campaign of 1815 £45,000 17,500 62,500 Total amount voted in Money £162,203 JOHN WRAY, Chairman. London, June 18.-This day being the Second Anniversary of the battle of Waterloo, the noble structure of the bridge over the Thames from Surrey to the site of the Savoy was first opened for public accommodation, with as much splendour and dignity as is possible to be given to a ceremony of this description; the bridge had hitherto been denominated "The Strand Bridge: but the natural and patriotic desire of commemorating in the most noble and public manner the ever-memorable victory of Waterloo, afforded a fortunate opportunity for changing its appellation. No mode of perpetuating great deeds by works of art is more consistent with good taste than where such works combine, in a high degree, what is ornamental with what is useful. Monuments of this kind have strong claims on public respect. There are many instances of public works having received their names from events honourable to the country in which they were erected; the present work, in all human probability, will not be less permanent among the bridges of all ages than the event which it will commemorate is unrivalled in the annals of ancient and modern history. The intended ceremony excited the public curiosity to a great extent, which was much increased by the remarkable fineness of the weather-alike favourable for standing on the bridge, viewing the procession from the banks, or making excursions on the river. Both banks of the Thames, from Blackfriars Bridge to Whitehall, were immensely crowded by noon with all descriptions of persons of both sexes, from the curious of the lowest order up to the elegance of the highest fashion. Seats in stages were erected, and let out in the yards belonging to the various wharfs. The river itself seemed covered with barges and boats of all kinds. Some, in the line where the coal and corn-barges generally lie, were fitted up in a temporary way to accommodate the numerous spectators. The little pleasure-vessels enlivened the scene by the neatness and facility of their movements. Colours were hoisted on the steeples of several churches, on the yards of wharfingers, and on many private boats. The navy standard waved on the centre of Somerset Place. A party of the Horse Guards, who had been present at the battle of Waterloo, clothed in new uniform, went upon the bridge about ten o'clock in the morning. A party of Foot Guards also attended with their band; and a detachment of the Royal Horse Artillery, with twenty field-pieces. The bridge was decorated with eighteen standards. In the centre, and at each end, were two royal standards of Great Britain; there were, between these, standards of Prussia and the Netherlands, and the Orange flag; thus representing the nations, the success of whose combined armies occasioned the triumphant appellation of "WATERLOO BRIDGE." The eastern side of the bridge was railed off, and temporary benches were placed to accommodate the spectators.* Divisions of Foot Guards were stationed near Whitehall, and a captain's guard was drawn up in the area before Fife House. At a quarter past two o'clock the Lord Mayor passed up the river to Fife House in his state barge, accompanied by the Sheriffs, the Recorder, several of the court of Aldermen, and a numerous party of ladies. Precisely at three a signal gun was fired, and the flags upon the bridge were unfurled at the same moment, which had an imposing and magnificent effect. The procession was now seen leaving Whitehall Stairs, the City barge taking the lead, immediately followed by the Admiralty barge, in which were the Prince Regent, the Duke of York, the Duke of Cumberland, the Duke of Gloucester, the Duke of Wellington, the Marquis of Anglesey, and other personages of the first distinction; other barges belonging to the Admiralty, Navy-office, &c. followed. Man-of-war boats and small vessels, fancifully decorated, preceded them to clear the way. The procession reached the bridge soon after three o'clock; it passed through the centre arch under discharges of artillery, which had continued firing from the embarkation, and continued until the landing, being 202 in number, the number of guns taken by the British at the battle of Waterloo, exclusive of those taken in the pursuit. The barges went below the Temple Gardens, when they put about and proceeded to the Surrey side. Scarlet cloth had been spread over the stairs and landing-place on the southeast of the bridge, and at the north-east end by Somerset House. *Chiefly proprietors or their families. On the Prince Regent passing over the bridge, he distributed handfuls of a new silver medal, that had been struck to commemorate the opening of the bridge, which was intended for the several proprietors, &c. His Royal Highness was received in the most respectful manner by the Committee, after which the ceremony of toll-paying was gone through, the Prince Regent walked along on the western side of the bridge, between the Duke of York and the Duke of Wellington, followed by a number of military officers, officers of State, and persons of distinction, and attended by a military guard of honour, preceded by a band of music. Arrived at the north end of the bridge, he descended by the north-east stairs to the royal barge. The firing then re-commenced, and did not terminate till his Royal Highness had landed at Whitehall water-gate, and returned to Carlton House. The City barge continued on the river some time after; and the other boats remained a considerable time rowing or sailing backwards and forwards. We scarcely recollect an occasion of public gaiety on which a greater number of persons of all descriptions appeared in the streets, on the Surrey as well as the Strand banks of the river. All the roads leading towards the bridge were literally crowded. A fair was opened a little to the south-east of the bridge, and called Waterloo Fair. Decorations of laurel were worn by the soldiers, with "Waterloo, 18th June, 1815," in gold letters. A bough of laurel, with a similar inscription, was displayed at the suttling-house in the Tiltyard. A new banner was hoisted on the spire of St. Martin's church. The firemen of different insurance companies appeared in their full dress. As a Waterloo trophy, a 12-pounder fieldpiece, taken in the battle, was placed on the parade in St. James's Park on the Tuesday preceding. Having noticed the particulars connected with yesterday's ceremony, it is an agreeable task to say something of the bridge itself, which we consider to be a very high proof of the eminent abilities and taste of Mr. Rennie, the engineer, and of the liberality of the great body of proprietors, who have provided the funds for its erection. The situation of this bridge is remarkably fine, and it gives the grandest view we have of the river in its beautiful meander, displays the rising crescent of buildings on the north side, and brings out Somerset Terrace in the most favourable way; while on the south it opens the beautiful prospect of the Surrey hills. The following are some detailed particulars of the bridge, which is constructed of Cornish granite; the balustrades are of granite from Aberdeen: - DIMENSIONS OF THE BRIDGE. The length of the stone bridge within the abutments Feet. 1,242 1,250 400 spot in 2,892 Width of the bridge within the balustrades 42 |