GEORGE IV.’s CORONATION BANQUET.

Cromwell Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1798, 2 September 1902, Page 2

GEORGE IV.’s CORONATION BANQUET.

Disorderly Proceedings.

Some most disorderly and disgraceful | proceedings took place at the coronation j festivities of Gejrge IV. which, it is to j he hoped, will not be repeated in the similar ceremonial occasion after Edward i YU. has been crowned. A scene fol- i lowed the king’s departure which seems almost incredible. Alter the service of the second course, the numerous attendants, singers, and even Indies and gentlemen began to press round the royal table, as if prepared for a scramble j to possess its contents. The crowd of spectators pressed nearer and nearer. For a moment only cordons eyes were cast on the spoils, as if each, were afraid to begin the plunder ; but, at last, a rude liana having been thrust through the first ranks, and a golden fork having been seized, this operated as a signal to all, and was followed by a ‘ general snatch.’ In a short time all the small portable articles were transferred to the pockets of the multitude. The Lord High Chamberlain, hearing the attack, hastened to the rescue, and with tiie greatett difficulty saved the more important articles of plate and had them conveyed to Carlton Garden. Then followed a scene unparalleled in the annals of coronations. The crowds in the galleries had beheld with envy the operations at the banquet. They were very hungry, and very thirsty, and seeing now that Westminster Hall was • liberty hall,’ they rushed down different stairs and passages, and attacked the viands and the wine. A raging thirst was the first thing to be satisfied, and in a few minutes every bottle on the table was emptied. A fresh supply was soon obtained from the cellarettes. When the ravening selfishness of the hungry crowd was satisfied, the gentlemen recovered their politeness, and began to think of the ladies. Groups of beautiful women then found their way to the tables, and every effort was made to afford them the refreshment of which they stood so much in need. In the meantime, the plunderers took advantage of the confusion to enrich themselves with trophies, breaking and destroying the table ornaments to obtain fragments of things too cumbrous to carry away. Thus, baskets, flower-pots, vases, and figures were everywhere disappearing, and these were followed by glasses, knives, forks, salt spoons, and, finally, the plates and dishes. The last were engraved with the royal arms and the letters ‘ Geo. IY.,’ and were therefore specially coveted as memorials. The dirty state of the articles, however, was rather out of keeping with the costly | dresses ; but the lauies and gentlemen got over the difficulty by wrapping up the articles in their pocket handkerchiefs. Having thus secured all the spoils they couid, they made all possible haste to their carriages. At a subsequent period it was with the greatest difficulty that the royal plate could be kept from being carried away by the multitude outside when the barriers were removed.