of laurel, intermingled
with the rose, thistle and shamrock, covering the entire outline of the
window. Where, formerly, was the musicians' gallery, on the opposite
side, was occupied by three stacks of armour; complete coats of mail
were, likewise, suspended in other parts of the Hall; two knights in
complete armour guarded the entrance of the Hall and Council Chamber,
which latter was fitted up for the Queen's reception room, and hung
throughout with crimson fluted cloth, finished with gold mouldings and
festoons of red and white flowers. Upon a platform stood a chair of
state, splendidly gilt and covered with crimson velvet, and there was no
other chair nor seat of any kind in the apartment. The Queen's
retiring-room was the Aldermen's Court, and was superbly decorated,
having a magnificent toilet table covered with white satin, embroidered
with the initials V.R., a crown and wreath in gold, and looped with gold
silk rope and tassels.

After the Queen's arrival at the Guildhall, and having spent some little
time on her toilet, her Majesty was conducted to the Council Chamber,
where--seated on her throne, and surrounded by Royal Dukes and Duchesses,
etc.--she listened to a dutiful address read by the Recorder, and, at its
conclusion, she was graciously pleased to order letters patent to be made
out conferring a baronetcy on the Lord Mayor and knighthood on the two
Sheriffs, John Carroll and Moses Montefiore, Esquires, the latter, as
before mentioned, being the first Jew who had received that honour.

At 20 minutes past 5 the Queen entered the Hall, in which was the
banquet, wearing a rich pink satin dress, ornamented with gold and
silver, a splendid pearl necklace, diamond earrings, and a tiara of
diamonds. She occupied the centre of the Royal table, having on her
right the Duke of Sussex, the Duchess of Gloucester, the Duchess of
Cambridge, Prince George of Cambridge and the Duchess of Sutherland; and
on her left, the Duke of Cambridge, the Duchess of Kent, the Princess
Augusta of Cambridge and the Countess of Mulgrave. As a specimen of the
magnificence of this banquet, it may be mentioned that at the Royal table
the whole of the service was of gold, as were the candelabra, epergnes,
soup tureens, cellarets, etc.; one firm furnished gold plate for the
Queen's table and sideboard to the value of 115,000 pounds, and another
firm nearly the same amount, whilst the value of plate lent by various
gentlemen was asses