f Rutland to call another
meeting of the committee, to reconsider the question of the
selection of the artist. It is a gross job of Sir Frederic
Trench's, and has been so from the beginning, the Duke being a
mere cat's-paw of that impudent Irish pretender. The Duke of
Wellington himself thinks it a great job, and would be very glad
to see it defeated; but he said that 'his lips were sealed, he
could take no part, the Duke of Rutland had been so personally
kind to him, but that it was the damnedest job from the
beginning.'

[12] [This refers to the subscription for a memorial to the
Duke of Wellington, which led eventually to the strange
erection of the equestrian statue of the Duke, placed
_upon_ the arch at the top of Constitution Hill and in
front of Apsley House. Sir Frederic Trench took an
active part in the promotion of the affair, in the
selection of Wyatt for the artist, and finally in the
placing of the statue, which appeared to most people
who knew all the facts at the time, to be a scandalous
job and an enormous absurdity. In the year 1883 the
arch was moved from its former position and the statue
taken down, to be transported to the camp at Aldershot
and erected there.]

June 29th, 1838 {p.106}

[Page Head: THE CORONATION.]

The Coronation (which, thank God, is over) went off very well.
The day was fine, without heat or rain--the innumerable multitude
which thronged the streets orderly and satisfied. The appearance
of the Abbey was beautiful, particularly the benches of the
Peeresses, who were blazing with diamonds. The entry of Soult was
striking. He was saluted with a murmur of curiosity and applause
as he passed through the nave, and nearly the same, as he
advanced along the choir. His appearance is that of a veteran
warrior, and he walked alone, with his numerous suite following
at a respectful distance, preceded by heralds and ushers, who
received him with marked attention, more certainly than any of
the other Ambassadors. The Queen looked very diminutive, and the
effect of the procession itself was spoilt by being too crowded;
there was not interval enough between the Queen and the Lords and
others going before her. The Bishop of London (Blomfield)
preached a very good sermon. The different actors in the
ceremonial were very imperfect in their parts, and had neglected
t