by Anonymous
CHAPTER X.
PARLEY GIVES AN ACCOUNT OF THE ILLUMINATIONS, AND OF THE GRAND DISPLAYOF FIRE-WORKS.
"AFTER the splendid pageant, which had rivetted the attention of everyone during its continuance, had passed away, the fair in Hyde Parkseemed to be the great centre of popular attraction.
"Though pretty well tired out with the unusual exertion of the lastday or two, Peter Parley proceeded to Hyde Park to see what was goingon there. He had come across the Atlantic to see the show, and he wasdetermined to see all that was to be seen.
"How different an aspect did the park now present to what it did whenPeter Parley visited it but two days before! The fair was now begunin good earnest, and there was no end to the booths for the sale offancy goods of every description. Tents for the supply of articles ofmore substantial enjoyment were in equal abundance, and every one ofthem seemed to be completely crowded. When Peter Parley had wanderedabout the outskirts of the fair for some time, he saw a great manypeople standing looking at a large erection which seemed more like ahouse than a tent. He soon recognised the theatre of Mr. Richardson,which he had seen erecting when he first visited the park; as he drewnear he saw that the people were laughing and enjoying the antics of aclown or merry-andrew, who was dressed in a parti-coloured dress, andwas cutting the most ridiculous capers, to the no small delight of thespectators.
"Peter Parley loves a little fun, and can laugh as loud as any one atinnocent amusement, so he got close up to the booth to see how theclown acquitted himself.
"'Come along, old boy!--this way, this way, father Adam!' cried thefellow to Peter Parley, when he saw him advancing--'make way there,ladies and gentlemen!' he continued, leaping right over the head of acountryman who was gazing at him with intense delight, at the same timeknocking his hat over his eyes so as completely to blindfold him. Inan instant the clown stood beside Peter Parley, and was hurrying himup the steps of the theatre before he knew what he was about. PeterParley, however, did not relish such a summary mode of introduction, sohe disengaged himself from the fellow's grasp and moved to another partof the fair, amid the rude laughter of the by-standers.
"Peter Parley was amazed at the number of round-abouts and swings ofevery description, which beat the air and performed their evolutionswith almost incessant rapidity. Some of them in the form of boats,which in the course of their movements rose and sunk alternately so asto imitate the motion of a vessel on the water, seemed particularlyingenious and appeared to be in constant request. Donkey races, too,lent their attractions, and altogether such a scene of gaiety PeterParley never witnessed.
"As long as daylight lasted these out-of-door amusements seemed tolose little or none of their attractions. When it became too dark fortheir performance people crowded into the theatres and tents, or waitedpatiently for the grand display of fireworks which was to take placeat a late hour in the evening.
"By way of making the most of his time Peter Parley got into a hackneycoach and drove through the principal parts of the town to see theilluminations, which it was expected were to be on a grand scale.
"All along the line of the procession the display was most splendid,and though many of the exhibitions of private individuals werebeautiful and tasteful, the public offices certainly carried off thepalm. Peter Parley thinks he never saw such a brilliant display as thatat the Ordnance Office, in Pall Mall, the whole front of which was oneblaze of light. Peter Parley was told that there were no fewer thansixty thousand lamps employed in the devices!
"The Admiralty, Somerset House, and the Horse Guards, shared, with theOrdnance Office, the attention of the evening. The former displayed amagnificent imperial crown surmounting an anchor, with the union flagon each side in coloured lamps. It had also an inscription, 'God savethe Queen.'
"Somerset House, in which are several of the public offices, exciteda good deal of attention from a novelty in the art of illumination.Instead of being lighted up with oil, the coloured lamps wereilluminated with gas, which added greatly to their brilliancy andeffect. The Horse Guards was, also, lit up in the same manner, and wasequally attractive.
"There were, besides these, hundreds of others well worth looking atand remembering too; but so many attractions offered themselves to hisnotice on every side, that Peter Parley does not know which to tell youabout.
"After being satisfied with gazing at the illuminations, Peter Parleyagain proceeded to the Park, as the time approached for the granddisplay of fireworks.
"So dense was the crowd of eager spectators, that it was withdifficulty that Peter Parley could gain access to the Park. Hesucceeded at length, however, thanks to the virtue of perseverance,which has done much for him in the course of his life.
"The display commenced by the discharge of what is called a maroonbattery, which fired off successively a series of immense crackers,each giving a report like the loudest cannon. The commencement of thespectacle was hailed with loud cheers by the assemblage, many of whomhad waited several hours, and were beginning to lose all patience atthe delay.
"This startling display was immediately followed by an exhibition ofcoloured fire, and four balloon mortars shooting forth serpents andsquibs of every variety of colour. The beautiful variety of tints,blue, green, red, and purple, to which some of these gave rise whenthey exploded in the air, was most magnificent.
"For two whole hours did the gentlemen who had the direction of thisexhibition continue the display, each successive variety vieing inbeauty and brilliancy with that by which it was preceded, to thedelight of all beholders, many of whom, and Peter Parley among others,never witnessed such a grand sight. The young Queen, it was said,enjoyed the splendour and beauty of the sight from the palace window,with as much interest and delight as any of her subjects.
"It was almost one o'clock before the fireworks were concluded, andnearly an hour later before Peter Parley could make his way home; andthe sun rose high in heaven before he awoke next morning.
"Peter Parley must not omit to mention that all the theatres and placesof public amusement were, by her Majesty's command, open to the publicfree; of course they were all filled, but Peter Parley did not visitany of them.
"It pleased Peter Parley to hear that the poor and the unfortunate wereno less kindly attended to. In almost every parish committees wereformed by the inhabitants for the purpose of collecting subscriptionsand arranging matters for regaling the poor and the children attendingthe charity schools, so that to all the 28th of June should be a dayof rejoicing. Nor were the unfortunate inhabitants of the prisonsforgotten. In all those belonging to the city, they were each allowedan ample repast, and in some of the others the great brewers suppliedthem with a good allowance of ale or porter."