Letter from C.B. Wollaston to Dr Arnold, 30 June 1791

urn:iso:std:iso:639:ed-3:eng

44–46

text excerpt

The ceremony of the Inauguration took place to-day […] It was a fine sight altogether. We had a window directly opposite, and had the fun of seeing people scramble for medals which were thrown from the windows amongst them. 

I wished much for you, if only to see ‘Toison d’Or,’ a very fine fellow I assure you, dressed in a most rich coat all bedaubed with coats of arms, with a fine plume of feathers on his head, and mounted on a courser, which pranced about most majestically. There were besides four other heralds representing Brabant and the other counties—very fine creatures.

 This part of the procession, which preceded the Duke’s carriage, was very rich, but the rest of the train was but shabby. 

They first went to hear mass at a superb altar erected on purpose in the great church, and then came into the handsome large square, on one side of which a fine throne had been built up. Here the Prince of Saxe-Teschen took the oaths for the emperor, which were administered by the Cardinal Archbishop of Malines in his full-dressed robes, which was a thing we were very desirous to see.

  At the conclusion of the ceremony, Toison d’Or came forward and proclaimed the Emperor’s magnificent titles, which was followed by a triple discharge of artillery, guns, trumpets, &c., which sounded very fine. The popular applause, however, was very small, but when upwards of 10,000 men are about that did not much signify.

excerpt from 'Letter from C.B. Wollaston to Dr Arnold, 30 June 1791' pp. 44–46 (258 words)

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1535469816567