HER MAJESTY'S STATE COACH. 15 



CHAPTER IV. 



HER MAJESTY'S STATE COACH. NAPOLEON'S CHARIOT. 



What the art of the coach-builder could achieve when 

 stimulated to its highest efforts by the ambition of pleas- 

 ing royalty, is illustrated by the following description of 

 Her Majesty's state coach. It was built for King George 

 III., and was finished in the year 1761, being the most 

 superb carriage ever built. It was designed by Sir William 

 Chambers, and was executed under his direction. The 

 paintings were executed by Cipriani. The front panel, 

 Britannia seated on a throne, holding in her hand a 

 staff of Liberty, attended by Religion, Justice, Wisdom, 

 Valour, Fortitude, Commerce, Plenty, and Victory, pre- 

 senting her with a garland of laurels ; in the background 

 a view of St. Paul's and the river Thames. The right 

 door, Industry and Ingenuity giving a cornucopia to the 

 Genius of England. The panels on each side of the 

 right door, History, recording the reports of Fame, and 

 Peace, burning the implements of war. The back panel, 

 Neptune and Amphitrite issuing from their palace in a 

 triumphant car, drawn by sea-horses attended by the 

 Winds, Rivers, Tritons, Naiads, &c, bringing the tribute 

 of the world to the British shore. Upper part of back 



