John Galt (1779-1839) Greenock author, always raises a smile in his writing especially his characterisation and the pomp of ceremony which he readily and wryly describes. Galt was actually in London at the time of the Coronation of George IV in July 1821 and gave a very down to earth account of the proceedings. In his collection of stories - “The Steamboat” - published by Blackwood in 1822, there is a short story entitled “Preparations for the Coronation” about a Scot, Mr Duffle, visiting London for the great event. His opening sentence sets the tone of the work: - “London being, as is well known, a place of more considerable repute than Greenock, or even Port Glasgow …”!
Galt’s Mr Duffle describes his adventures in London and discussions with the various characters he meets during his visit for the Coronation of King George IV. One conversation he has with “… a man in a suit of shabby black, of a clerical cut …” who gives his opinion - “The ceremony has survived the uses which gave it sanctity in the eyes of the people. It will now pass like a pageant of the theatre, and be no longer impressive on its own account, but merely on account of the superior quantity of the silk and lace that may be shewn in the dresses.” Some things just don't change!
Mr Duffle takes his place in the grandstands to witness the arrival
of the lords and ladies attending the King and then the arrival of King George
IV himself “who entered with a marvellous fasherie, as I thought it, of
formalities … for I could see he was now and then like to lose his temper at
the stupidity of some of the attendants.
But it’s no new thing for kings to be ill served; and our Majesty might
by this time, I think, have been used to the misfortune, considering what sort
of men his minister are.”
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| John Galt, Writer |
In his later writing “Remarks on the Steamboat”, Galt reflects:- “If anything were calculated to inspire laughable contempt for the melodrama of earthly grandeur, it was the hurly-burly in Westminster Hall subsequent to the King’s departure. I can neither repress my derision at the commotion, nor conceive why it was permitted, thought “the swinish multitude” were in court dresses. But there is a stronger infection in folly than in wisdom, and, though I despised the pastime, I could not resist joining in the game. In the plunder of the tables I got hold of a golden Britannia as big as a doll, with which I made proud a Bishop’s lady and gave to another “gorgeous dame” of high degree, a really beautiful basket of crystal, and bestowed gilded vessels on longing ladies. But what added to the delight was the discovery that all the magnificence was as artificial as courtesies! The goblets and imagery, the plates and epergnes, at the coronation festival of the greatest monarch on the earth, were gilded wood and pewter trenchers! This, however was wise, and showed the improved intelligence, alias the political economy of the age; but wherefore cheat the eye? At the time, the coronation afforded me inconceivable pleasure, for I could only see things, bating the occasion, worthy to provide heart-easing laughter; the remembrance, however, like many other sweets, sours in the rumination. It did more to lessen my respect for the tricks of state than anything I ever witnessed."
John Galt had a wonderful eye for detailing the absurd and seeing through the conventions and characters of his day. Throughout his description of the Coronation he constantly compares the proceedings and characters to those in King Crispin processions, very popular in his day.
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