Of the celebration of the King's Coronation-Day, in the famous city of Bathe. A true narrative in the letter sent from thence to Dr. Charleton, physician to his majestie. Vivat Rex.

The manner of the Celebration of the KING'S Coronation-day in the City of Bath.

Honoured Sir,

PArdon me, my businesse now is only to give you the true and plain rela∣tion of our Celebrating the Corona∣tion-Day of his Sacred Majesty, in our City of Bath, which was as followeth. Viz. The first on-set was at the House of God, by the Bells.

The next by Drums beating and Armed men in three Companies; the first the Trained Band, com∣manded by Lieutenant Walter Gibbs; the second a Volunteer Company, commanded by their Cap∣tain, the Loyal and much suffering Captain Thomas

Gibbs; the third a Volunteer Company of sixty men out of his Majesties Loyal and much suffering Parish of Weston, commanded by their Loyal Captain, Captain Iohn Sheppard.

These standing in order, made a Lane for these Persons following, (viz.) First, the Maior, who de∣clared his high Loyalty, and expressed himself with much alacrity for the great honour which he lately received from his Majestie in kissing his Royal hand, and his acquitting him of some Aspersions lately cast upon him. He with the Aldermen in Scarlet Gowns; our Loyal, Faithfull and Learned Mini∣ster, Mr. Iames Masters; the Common Council, and other Officers in black Gowns, according to Order, with many other Loyal Persons, went to our great Church, and entring into the Church∣yard were received by the Foot Companies with God save the King, they expressing themselves, with Life and all to serve his Majestie. The Maior and his Company taking their places in the Church, the Trained Bands keeping their stations, Mrs. Mai∣oress, the Aldermens Wives, with many other Gentlewomen enter the Churchyard, before whom marched about Four hundred Virgins, most in white Wastcoats and green Petticoats, going two and two, each two bearing aloft upon their hands gilded Crowns, Crowns made of Flowers, and Wreathes made of Laurel mixed with Tulips,

which I think were those Lillies of which our Savi∣our said, that Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. These ushered Mrs. Maioresse to her seat in the Church, and were ushered them∣selves by two young Champions, with Swords drawn, all crying out, God save the King, and con∣tinued in the Church till Sermon was ended, which was preached by our Learned Mr. Masters, the Text taken out of Matthew 22. and ver. 21. The Sermon, if not put in Print, willl be much wrong to his Majesty, and all his Subjects; wherefore you may doe good service, if you will desire his Majesty to command Mr. Masters to put it in Print. The Sermon ended, Master Mayor, his Company, with the Foot Soldiers, marched to the Conduit, there being presented out of the Conduit with a Health to the King in Wine, which they all drank; the loud Musick plaid before them. From thence they went to the Guild-Hall, and there drank another Health to the King, at which time there were four Stream∣ers bearing the Kings Armes, and the Royal Oak mounted upon the four Pinacles of the Hall. All this while Mrs. Mayoress was not idle; for she, her com∣pany, her Amazons and their Champions, marched to the Conduit, and from thence to the Mayors house, as he himself had led the way with his Train, who gave him a Volley of shot, as they had done before when he came out of the Church, this last

receiving much honour by the addition of the Vo∣lunteer Troops of that most Loyal Knight Sir Wil∣liam Basset. The Maior entred his house, whom Mrs. Maioresse followed with all her Maiden guards, to all whom was given Cake and Wine, drinking a Health to the King upon their Knees, which was begun by Mr Mayor and Mrs. Mayoress. After which the Mayor and his Company marched before the Souldiers through all the City, rendring Acclama∣tions of Ioy. In like manner did Mrs. Mayoresse with her Female Royallists. And thus was the whole day spent, and that with as much alacrity, as I think can scarce be parallel'd. The night being come, some houres were spent in Fire-works, af∣ter which each Loyal Soul betook himself to his home, whom the Musick of the Bells brought to quiet rest.

And thus ended this joyfull day, for which I shall dayly pray to the Almighty to continue us thank∣full hearts, and that his Sacred Majestie may have a long and prosperous Reign, that his Friends may dayly increase, and all his Enemies may be confounded, concluding with the words of our Loyal Minister, God save the King, and let all the peo∣ple say Amen. These shall be the never ceasing prayers of his Majesties meanest, yet very loyal Sub∣ject till death;

Bath, April 24. 1661.

William Smith.