The first spontaneous act of the Prince Regent, on the assumption of his office; was the restoration of his brother, the Duke of York, to the post of Commanderin-chief of the army. Considerable sensation was excited by this unexpected event; the members of the House of Commons who had taken the lead in urging the charges against the Duke, which had inclined him to resign, felt the act of his restoration as an extension of power conveying an imputation on their conduct on that occasion, as well as a stigma on the House itself. Under this impression, Lord Milton, one of the members for Yorkshire, gave notice of an intended motion on the subject of the re-appointment of the Duke of York. On the 6th of June, his Lordship submitted his motion to the House. His object was, he said, to maintain the dignity of the House, which appeared to him not slightly questioned in the re-appointment of his Royal Highness. After various condemnation of the appointment, he concluded with moving the following resolution:

"That upon a deliberate consideration of the recent circumstances under which his Royal Highness the Duke of York retired from the command of the army in March 1809, it appears to this House, that it has been highly improper and indecorous in the advisers of the Prince Regent, to have recommended to his Royal Highness the re-appointment of the Duke of York to the office of Commander-in-chief."

The Chancellor of the Exchequer began his speech by acknowledging in the fullest manner the responsibility of his Majesty's servants for recommending the measure in question. He then stated the circumstances which led to the re-appointment. The gallant officer, he said, who had lately filled the situation of Commander-in-chief, after spending near half a century in the service of his country, had contracted an illness which obliged him to apply for liberty to retire from the arduous duties of his office; and there was not the slightest hesitation in his mind, and that of his colleagues, whom they should recommend for supplying the vacancy. There was not the most distant idea of lessening the dignity of the House, by the advice given to the Prince Regent for the nomination of the Duke of York as the

fittest person to fill the vacancy which had occurred. The motion was finally negatived by a majority of 249. The nation at large seemed to have been affected with a similar change of opinion.

The Parliament was prorogued in July; the Prince Regent's speech contained a short abstract of its proceedings, and a very strong compliment to Lord Wellington and the Ministers, for so successfully maintaining the national interests, and the glory of the British name.

On the 19th of June, his Royal Highness the Prince Regent gave a magnificent fête at Carlton-house, which outvied every other witnessed in this country.

"Carlton-house was opened about nine at night, to the numerous persons of distinction who had been honoured with cards of invitation. Soon after nine o'clock the company began to arrive. The illustrious family of the House of Bourbon entered through the gardens about ten, when they were ushered into the Privy-Council chamber, where the Prince Regent was sitting under a crimson canopy of state, surrounded by the officers of his household, who, on their approach, immediately rose to receive them. The French Sovereign was introduced by the Earl of Moira as Comte de Lille, and her Royal Highness the Duchess d'Angouleme by the Duchess of York, aud the French Princes by Lord Dundas. They were received not only with the utmost respect, but every mark of affectionate regard. From this grand ceremonial, the illustrious strangers retired into the sky-blue satin room that adjoined. The Prince Regent now passed through into the grand saloon, which was most brilliantly illuminated, and paid his respects to the nobility, &c. crowded and assembled, in his most graceful and truly fascinating manner. It would be a difficult task to describe, in adequate terms, the effect produced by the profusion of magnificent objects, which, at every glance, conveyed an exalted idea of national grandeur and the fine arts, cherished in a state of perfection. The apartments were decorated with splendour perfectly new, The palace was a scene of enchantment, and every elegant female, clad in the attire of her native country, appeared the Armida. The conservatory was one of the most distinguished objects in the splendid arrangement. The building, of the Gothic order, appeared to be the most perfect and beautiful specimen of that style executed in modern times. Between the pillars, candelabras were suspended, twelve feet above the ground, each presented four brilliant patent burners, which spread a breadth of light not easy to describe. The interior struck the beholder with astonishment. The grand table extended the whole length of the conservatory and across Carlton-house, to the length of 200 feet.

Along the centre of the table, about six inches above the surface, a canal of pure water continued flowing from a silver fountain,

beautifully constructed at the head of the table. Its faintly waving artificial banks, were covered with green moss and aquatic flowers; gold and silver-coloured fish, were, by a mechanical invention, made to swim and sport through the bubbling current, which produced a pleasing murmur where it fell, and formed a cascade at the outlet. At the head of the table, above the fountain, sat his Royal Highness the Prince Regent, on a throne of crimson velvet, trimmed with gold. The throne commanded a view of the company. The most particular friends of the Prince were arranged on each side. At the back of the throne appeared Aurolea tables, covered with crimson drapery, constructed to exhibit, with the greatest effect, a profusion of the most exquisitely wrought silver-gilt plate, consisting of fountains, tripods, epergnes, dishes, and other ornaments. Above the whole of this superb display, appeared a royal crown, and his Majesty's cypher, G. R. splendidly illumined.

"The supper was the most superb in spectacle and arrangement, that perhaps ever was exhibited in this country. The state table of the Prince Regent was ranged along the conservatory, the west end of which (being the head) was hung semi-circularly with a crimson silk ground, covered with transparent muslin, drawn into a variety of apertures, for the splendid display of numerous gold vases, urns, massy salvers, &c. embossed by admirable workmanship, and the whole surmounted by a most superb ancient urn, captured in the reign of Elizabeth from the Spanish Admiral, who commanded what was so presumptuously styled, the "Invincible Armada." The service of this table was in gold. Adjoining to this were tables running through the library and whole lower suite of rooms, the candelabras in which were so arranged, that the Regent could distinctly see and be seen, from one end to the other. Along those tables the Royal Family of England, and that of the Bourbons and the nobility, were seated, conformably to their respective ranks. On the right hand of the Prince Regent was placed the Duchess d'Angouleme, on his left the Duchess of York. From the library and room beyond, branched out two great lines of tables under canvas far into the gardens, each in the shape of a cross, all richly served with silver plate, and covered with every delicacy that the season could possibly afford. When the whole company was seated, there was a line of female beauty, more richly adorned, and a blaze of jewellery more brilliant, than England probably ever displayed before.

"The grand circular dining-room, in which the Knights of the Gar ter were recently entertained, excited particular admiration by its cupola, supported by columns of porphyry, and the superior elegance of the whole of its furniture and arrangements. In this room were marble busts of the late Mr. Fox, the late Duke of Bedford, the Earl of Moira, and Earl Grey; and in the centre was a lustre of an immense size and most dazzling brilliancy.

"The library and the council-room displayed the greatest taste. The latter was appropriated to dancing, and the floors chalked in a beautiful style. In the centre appeared G. R. III. with the crown, supporters and blazonry. The external decorations were equally grand and pleasing. Bands of music were stationed in the tents on the lawn VOL. II.

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of Carlton-house, and when dancing commenced the gay throng stepped over floors chalked with Mosaic devices, and moved through thickets of roses, geraniums, and other fragrant sweets, illumined by variegated lights, that gleamed like stars through the foliage. In the course of the night a brilliant display of fire-works took place, which gratified an immense body of spectators.

"The dancing cominenced about twelve o'clock, in the grand council-chamber, in two lines, which were divided by a crimson cordon; but not more than five or six couple danced in each set. At three o'clock supper was announced by the striking up of three bands of grand matial music stationed in the gardens. The Prince Regent, bowing gracefully to the several personages of the Bourbon family, preceded them to the royal table in the conservatory, being followed by the Comte De Lille, and the Duchess d'Angouleme, (handed by the Duke of York) by the Dukes d'Angouleme, Berri, Prince of Orange, and the Dukes of Clarence, Kent, Cumberland, Cambridge, Sussex, and Gloucester. Except the great officers of state, none under the rank of Duke and Marquis with their Ladies, could have place there, so that Earls, Countesses, and those of subordinate degree, took their places indiscriminately at the other tables, all of which were amply supplied with every thing in season, and the richest wines, fruits, confectionary, &c. &c. Chairs for 2000 were placed, but that number being found insufficient, recesses were soon provided, so that all were amply supplied. The Prince Regent and his illustrious guests rose from table at half-past four, and returned to the gold saloon in the same order that they descended. All the rooms were soon re-filled, when dancing was renewed; and the sun being well up, the blended lights of day and night gave the whole scene new features, which compensated by a fuller display of the variegated colours of female dress, for any little drawback that might have been sustained in artificial complexions."

All that art, taste, and expence could command, for personal decoration, had been in requisition for this night. The ladies all wore new dresses of English manufacture, principally white satins, silks, lace, crape, and muslins, ornamented with silver; head-dress, ostrich feathers and diamonds. The short Grecian waist was again revived. The gentlemen wore courtdresses, and naval and military uniforms, covered with a profusion of gold lace. The Prince Regent was dressed as a field-marshal (as was also the Duke of York) with his hair in a long queue, the cordon blue, and a superb brilliant star, a large diamond loop and button in his hat and feather, and wearing a sabre, the handle and scabbard of which were richly studded with jewellery.

There were present at this splendid entertainment