n the mind of some one or more of the assembled grandees, who, if not
too much wrapt up in the idea of their own and the surrounding grandeur,
may have remarked that
"Over the altar was a fine piece of tapestry representing the
baptism of our Saviour."
If the tapestry told the truth, there would be no clergy in gold seats;
no font appropriated to Royalty by a vulgar display of the Royal arms
over the front of it; and no infants or any one else "playing the lyre"
at the simple solemnity, of which a Royal Christening is but a gaudy
mockery.
As a further assistance to the infant in renouncing the pomps and
vanities of the world, we find that
"The Heralds and Kings of Arms were on duty to usher the
distinguished personages to their places in the chapel, and conduct
the Royal processions. There were present ALBERT WILLIAM WOODS,
ESQ., Lancaster Herald; WALTER ASTON BLOUNT, ESQ., Chester Herald;
JAMES PULMAN, ESQ., Clarenceux King of Arms; ROBERT LAURIE, ESQ.,
Norroy King of Arms; and SIR CHARLES GEORGE YOUNG, Garter Principal
King of Arms; the whole wearing their splendid tabards, and the
Kings of Arms their distinctive insignia."
It is really sad to think that in an age which prides itself on common
sense, and at a Court confessedly adorned by the many virtues of the
Sovereign and her family, conventionalism still holds such sway, that
one whom it is no flattery to call an ornament to her high position
still feels herself under the necessity of converting a solemn religious
ceremony into a vulgar display of luxury and vanity. Can it be supposed
that the admission of the Royal infant into the Christian flock required
the assistance of archbishops, bishops, and clergy on seats of crimson
and gold, the presence of Heralds and Kings-of-Arms, a whole bundle of
Gold and other Sticks, the Master of the Buckhounds, and the whole hue
and cry of Court "pride, pomp, and circumstance;" which, however
appropriate to some occasions, are utterly at variance with the
admission of an infant to a religion for which humility is one of the
chief requisites?
The Court is justly looked to in this country as an example; and the
QUEEN, as mother, wife, and woman, is indeed one whom all would do well
to imitate. For this reason we still more regret the recent display
which will set all the servile crew of imitators to work to emulate, as
far as they can, the pomps and vanities of a Royal Christen
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