procession, and the display inside the
Cathedral, the scene was far less imposing than on that famous day, the
23rd of April, 1789, when King George III. and Queen Charlotte went to
St. Paul's to return public thanks for His Majesty's restoration to
health. On that occasion there was more of heraldic pageantry, and more
of official display, than accords with modern usage. But everything was
done to make this assemblage as far as possible representative of all
classes in social and public life. Not fewer than 13,000 persons had
places allocated to them in the Cathedral. In the _Times_ of Wednesday,
February 28th, a full classified list of the ticket-holders will be
found. About 300 Mayors and Provosts from all parts of the kingdom had
places. There were 560 places for representatives of the Army and Navy.
The Peers and Commons had 885 tickets for each house. The Dean of St.
Paul's had nearly 1300 tickets at his disposal. The Corps Diplomatique,
"distinguished foreigners," London School Board, the Board of Works,
Learned Societies, Nonconformists, and numerous other bodies figure in
the catalogue. The wearers of uniform and official dress, besides the
gaudy civic corporations, gave variety to the scene. The Judges,
English, Scotch, and Irish, with robes and wigs, gave warm tone to the
Law corner. Special state chairs were occupied by the Lord Chancellor
and the Speaker, representing Parliament. The Press had 80 places, and
the "General Public" made up the number 12,480 tickets--those who took
part in the procession--the stewards, police, firemen, and the officials
bringing up the total to about 13,000.

The crowds lining the streets, for about seven miles along which the
procession passed, were innumerable; and every window and coign of
vantage, with numerous scaffoldings along the line, appeared filled with
spectators. Not even when the Princess of Wales entered London was there
such a dense multitude seen, and it is only on rare occasions that one
can see "all London in the streets." In our time we can remember some
such occasions--the funeral of the Duke of Wellington, the reception of
the Princess of Wales, and the entrance of Garibaldi, being among them.

It was not in the Metropolis alone, that the rejoicing was universal.
Every city and town had its festivities, and its services of
thanksgiving in Church and Chapel. Addresses came, by hundreds, from all
quarters, and the announcement was made of holiday gatherings,