Another Account

Another Account of the Vittoria Fete at Vauxhall

From the Anti-gallican Monitor and Anti-Corsican Chronicle No. 131

This magnificent Fete, given to celebrate the achievements of Field-Marshal the Marquis of Wellington, and the glorious services of the Army under his command, took place on Tuesday last, at Vauxhall. The history of our amusements presents no species of spectacle equal to what we are about to describe. The industry of the town many days previous gave a busy note of preparation. The whole host of tailors, mantua-makers, and milliners, were all put in a state of requisition since Wednesday last. Cooks, painters, carpenters, and confectioners, were levied en masse, and supplies raised to the unexampled amount, for the extraordinary service destined to mark the glorious career of the Hero of the Peninsula with every lustre.

The advertisement stated that dinner was to be on the table at five o’clock: those provided with tickets were not admitted until four, but long previous to that hour the company began to assemble, and towards five the road from Westminster-bridge was choked with coaches. The pathways were crowded by immense numbers of spectators; “leads were filled, and ridges horsed.” Soon after five, nearly 1,200 people were assembled in the gardens, awaiting the arrival of the Duke of York. The preparations made for accommodating the company were the following:--The Rotunda was filled with a semi-circular table, which was raised upon a platform, appropriated to the Royal Family, the Foreign Ambassadors, the Ministers, &c., at the head of which was placed a seat for the illustrious Chairmen; and behind was ranged, on raised shelves, covered with crimson cloth, a vast quantity of the richest gold and silver plate, surmounted by a bust of the Marquis of Wellington. At the back of the Chair were stationed two trumpeters, and a grenadier holding the standard of the 100th regiment of French Horse, taken at the battle of Vittoria: the Baton of Marshal Jourdan was disposed among the plate, so as to be obvious to all. Besides this semi-circular table, on the platform was a similar square table, appropriated to the Lord Mayor, the Aldermen of the City, and their immediate friends. In the rotunda were also placed three other square tables, filling up the immediate space, occupied principally by such of the Stewards as were not engaged in making arrangements.

In the Saloons were three long tables, and beyond that in a temporary building erected among the trees, the trunks of which served to support the roof, appropriately composed of the ensigns of Great Britain, Spain, and Portugal, were accommodations in a most convenient form for nearly 900 persons. These different apartments were lighted by wax candles on the tables, by magnificent glass lustres, by alabaster globes of patent lamps, and by other lights, variously disposed in festoons, crowns, wreaths, pyramids, &c.

Such was the general disposition made for dining company, and about half past 5 the Duke of York arrived, attended by his Royal Brothers, the Dukes of Clarence, Kent, Sussex, Cambridge, and the Duke of Gloucester. The company then took their seats at the tables, covered with cold dinner, excepting the turtle soup. The wines provided were Port, Madeira, and Claret. As soon as the cloth was withdrawn, one of the trumpeters stationed at the back of the chair of the Duke of York sounded a parley, which was answered by another trumpeter at a distant part of the garden, producing a very novel and striking effect. The public singers (30 in number) were then requested to sing, Non nobis Domine, which they complied with, in high style, although they were placed rather too distant from the upper end of the Rotunda. The first toast was “The King,” three times, and the loyal anthem of “God Save the King '' followed it. The company next drunk the “Prince Regent,” with three times three, and Mr. Taylor gave the song of “The Prince and Old England for ever.”

To this toast succeeded “The Queen and Royal Family,” with three,--”The Duke of York and the Army” was the next toast, which was received with great enthusiasm, the applause continuing for some minutes. His Royal Highness rose in his seat, drank the health of the company, and resumed it–”The Duke of Clarence and the Navy’ was immediately after drunk with as much applause and his Royal Highness bowed his acknowledgements and pledged the company. ‘Rule Britannia’ was sung by the whole vocal band, and the visitors joined in the chorus with their usual animation.

The next toast given was “The Marquis of Wellington” but so eager was the company to testify their approbation, that they could not refrain their fervor until the toast was regularly given out. The applause was maintained for many minutes with unabated spirit. This was succeeded by “Sir Thomas Graham and the officers engaged in the glorious battle of Vittoria,” with three times three, the Duke of York’s band playing “Britons strike home.” The health of the non-commissioned officers and privates were likewise drunk with becoming gratitude for their eminent service. “The Spanish Armies and the brave Guerillas,” was next in order, and the Spanish Ambassador, seated on the right hand of the Duke of Sussex, in silence drank the health of the company, bowing most respectfully.--”The Emperor Alexander” was received with rapturous cheers, and the Russian Ambassador signified his gratitude for the honour done to his Royal Master.--”The King of Prussia” was given with much approbation, as well as “The King of Sweden.”--”The Russian and Prussian Armies,” obtained very distinguished marks of respect and approbation. The toasts of “The Prince Regent of Portugal” and of “The Grand Seignior,” followed; the Portuguese and Turkish Ambassadors silently signified their thanks; the former drank the health of the company; but the latter was prohibited from shewing this mark of respect by the rigid tenets of his religion. The last toast was that of “The Ladies,” who soon afterwards arrived to partake of the unrivaled festivities.

To give a list of the high personages who honoured this truly magnificent festival with their presence is more than our limits will permit, but our readers may form some judgment of the number that were present when they learn that at one period of the evening, the line of carriages filled with females of the first taste, fashion and rank, reached from the top of the Haymarket to the Garden’s Gates. The confusion arising from such an unfortunate concourse was of course, great; and so impatient were some of the fair belles to reach their destination, that they quitted their carriages on Westminster bridge and at other places, and walked to the Gardens, where they were received, as we have already stated, with the utmost gallantry by the Stewards.

At twelve o’clock the Princess of Wales, attended by Col. St. Leger, Lady Charlotte Lindsay, and Lady Glenbervie, arrived. The two Stewards at the door at that period of the night were Lords Yarmouth and Lowther–At the door of the Gardens she was received by the Duke of Gloucester, who showed her the decorations, but did not introduce her to the dinner room. Having once promenaded the Gardens, the Duke took his leave, and she proceeded, accompanied only by her own attendants, to make a second circuit, in the course of which she entered into familiar conversation with several of her acquaintances, whom she met in her walk. At one o’clock her Royal Highness took her departure.

Soon after the departure of the Princess of Wales the Duchess of York was announced, and, attended by the Duke of Clarence, she pursued a track similar to that taken by the Princess.

The Dancers were much disappointed as there was no attempt even to dance. The Gardens were not cleared till eight o’clock on Wednesday morning, owing to the great number of carriages.