380 



ANNUAL REGISTER, 1805. 



well calculated to cherish that chi- 

 valrous spirit, that " cheap defence 

 of nations," which burned in the 

 breast of our ancestors, and fired 

 Ihem to deeds of martial glory. Its 

 revival, therefore, at a moment of 

 danger like the present, is not only 

 requisite to the splendour which 

 sho' Id adorn the fountain of Iio- 

 noar, but it is an act of sound po. 

 licy. It is not only calculated to 

 preserve a high sense of honour and 

 delicacy in the breast of our nobi- 

 lity, and to inspire an elevated idea 

 of their rank and importance, but 

 also to fan the flame of loyalty and 

 patriotism, which pervades every 

 class of his majesty's subjects. 



For some time past, and particu- 

 larly for the last few days, Wind- 

 sor, as well as the whole country, 

 has been in expectation of being 

 gratified with this splendid spec- 

 tacle. During the whole of Mon- 

 day, the road from London to Wind- 

 sor was almost covered with one 

 continual line of carriages ; and they 

 were principally with six horses, and 

 several outriders, which had a very 

 grand eflect. This sight attracted 

 crowds from the neighbouring vil- 

 lages to all the towns through which 

 they passed. Several waggons and 

 carts loaded with sedan-chairs were 

 conveyed to Windsor, and some 

 were carried by chairmen. The 

 greatestdifiiciilty was experienced by 

 the travellers, to procure change of 

 horses; ladies and gentlemen were 

 waiting for hours at the doors of the 

 inns, for want of horses; some at 

 length set off and walked, and took 

 the chance of the road in the stages. 

 The noble families, on their entrance 

 Ihto the towns of Eton and Wind- 

 sor, were greeted with shouts and 

 huzzas, from various assemblages of 

 boys, bells ringing, the streets 



1 



crowded with people, and the win- 

 dows filled with ladies. The stran- 

 gers paraded the town in elegant 

 dresses, which gave it the appear- 

 ance of Bond-street. Both sides of 

 the principal streets were completely 

 filled with carriages, there not be- 

 ing stands sufficient in the inns to 

 accommodate them A guinea a 

 night was demanded for the stand- 

 ing of a pair of horses. Unoccupied 

 shops were opened for the sale of 

 tickets of admission ; the windows, 

 being covered with papers, and illu- 

 minated, had the appearance of 

 lottery offices. Numbers of lodg- 

 ings in Eton and VVindsor remained 

 unlet, supposed to be on account of 

 the various and unfounded reports 

 circulated of very extravagant prices 

 having been demanded. At the late 

 hour of eleven o'clock, however, a 

 bed could not be procured at a 

 public-house for less than half a- 

 guinea, and that in a common tap- 

 room. 



It was his majesty's particular 

 wish, that as many of the old cus- 

 toms should be kept up as possible, 

 and he gave directions that a baron 

 of beef should be procured, which 

 was accordingly done. It was cut 

 nearly in the form of a saddle of 

 mutton, and weighed 1621b. On 

 Sunday it was roasted, and the 

 dressing of it took ten hours. The 

 novelty of the sight attracted the 

 attention of his majesty very much ; 

 and, during the time it was roast- 

 ing, he brought several parties of 

 distinction to view it. The wois^ht 

 of it being considerably more than 

 the jack was made to carry, a man 

 was obliged to be kept to turn it : a 

 silver dish was made on purpose to 

 hold it. The board of green cloth 

 had an office in St. Alban's-street, 

 and sat constantly, to adopt regula- 

 tions, 



