ared for his reception, to take
some repose during the royal banquet.

The long tables running down the hall on each side were covered with rich
damask; triumphal arches and every ingenious device that could by
possibility bear upon the pageant, were lavishly placed upon the tables,
splendidly ornamented with artificial flowers, rivalling the goddess Flora
herself. The entrance to the hall was a grand Gothic archway; but one of
the most singular effects produced, was by the numerous chandeliers in
_ormolu_ hanging from the lofty roof, sending forth myriads of little
twinkling stars, that essayed to dim the light of the sun, who here and
there sent in his beams through the narrow loopholes and windows of the
hall, to catch a glimpse of the splendid ceremonies. The banquet
commenced; and it was not a little amusing to see the city authorities
maintain their charter by commencing a most formidable attack upon the
turtle and the viands which were so profusely spread over the table. Not a
moment was lost. Triumphal arches quickly assumed the appearance of
shapeless ruins, and wines from every quarter of the globe paid a heavy
duty upon being deposited in the city vats!

At length the martial clangor of the trumpet announced the royal banquet.
His Majesty took his seat on the _dais_, with the imperial crown upon his
head amid the deafening shouts of the up-standing noblesse of the land.
LORD GLENGALL'S seat was high up in the hall; and next to him, on one
side, was the EARL OF BLESSINGTON, whom I had the honor of knowing, and
the EARL OF FALMOUTH on the other, both of whom are now gathered to their
fathers. They insisted upon my taking a seat with them, to which of course
I was nothing loath; and there I fully participated in all the luxuries of
the table, instead of waiting like an humble page for the remains of the
feast. Lord Blessington requested me to go into the peeresses' gallery and
endeavour to procure refreshments for LADY BLESSINGTON. I had never seen
her ladyship; but her famed beauty and talents did not render the task one
of great difficulty. Amid a blaze of beauty, I soon discovered the fair
lady, to whom I was to enact my part of Esquire. In return for the
attentions I had the good fortune to offer, I received most gracious
smiles, and the blandest of speeches, and felt myself rise in stature as I
again paced the ancient hall. At length one of the most imposing
ceremonies commenced; and many a swan-like neck w