as stretched to catch a
glimpse of the unapproachable magnificence of the scene; the entrance of
the champion (accompanied by the hero of a thousand battles,) in a full
suit of armor and superbly mounted on a white charger with a plume of
feathers on its head; the MARQUIS OF ANGLESEA, similarly caparisoned; the
LORD HOWARD of Effingham, and others of comparatively less note. It had
been whispered that Mr. Horace Seymour (now SIR HORACE,) had been selected
by His Majesty for that important character, and his splendid appearance
would perhaps under other circumstances have justified the choice. The
right, however, was hereditary, and the real representative would indeed
have shown craven, and unworthy the high distinction, if he had
relinquished so honorable a position. The anecdote which is related at the
coronation of George III., of the challenge having been accepted in behalf
of PRINCE CHARLES STUART, after the gauntlet was dashed upon the earth,
was here omitted; for here, happily, there was an undisputed succession.
After the champion had drank to the health of 'GEORGE THE FOURTH, the
rightful monarch of Great Britain,' in a cup of gold sent by His Majesty,
(and which is retained by the champion,) he and the accompanying nobles
backed their horses the whole distance down the hall, gracefully bowing to
their monarch at distinct intervals, amid the most enthusiastic cheering.

WALTER SCOTT was there, his eye sparkling with delight, and devouring that
magnificence of which _his_ pen alone could convey the unlimited splendor.
_Non nobis Domine_ was given by a numerous choir most superbly; and the
whole of the ceremonies were at length concluded. I left the hall with the
loss of my cap and feathers, and in a humble beaver, which I borrowed from
a friend in the immediate vicinity, I elbowed my way through the crowd,
sated with splendor and fairly exhausted. London was a blaze of light, and
Hyde Park, I presume for the first time, was brilliantly illuminated.
Fireworks of the most dazzling description shot meteor-like from every
open spot in the vast metropolis, and the pyrotechnical art displayed in
the parks at the government expense beggared all description. As I have
already stated, Covent-Garden Theatre made a golden harvest by
anticipating the coronation; but it was left for Drury-Lane to give as
near as possible a fac-simile of the one that had so recently taken place.
A platform was thrown over the centre of the pit,