arrived, without any tumult, at Styles’s hotel.
The intelligence, however, soon became general; the
bells merrily rung; and a prodigious concourse of
people assembled, all desirous of beholding the hero
who had, they exclaimed, saved them and their little
ones from destruction. His lordship kindly gratified
them as much as possible, with a sight of his person,
by repeatedly presenting himself at the window; and
was as repeatedly greeted by the grateful and applausive
shouts of the surrounding multitude, invoking Heaven’s
best blessings on the noble champion of his country.
His lordship was immediately waited on, at the hotel,
by James Woolley, Esq. the high bailiff; and Timothy
Smith, Esq. the low bailiff: who politely thanked
him, for the honour of accepting their invitation to
“the toy-shop of Europe.” His lordship,
and friends, in the evening, went to the theatre,
drawn by the shouting populace; and the house was so
crouded, that many hundred persons were unable to
obtain admission. On their entrance, “Rule,
Britannia!” was played in full orchestra; and
the whole audience, respectfully standing up, instantly
testified, by their unanimously loud and long continued
plaudits, the happiness which they experienced at
thus seeing among them the renowned Hero of the Nile.
On returning, at midnight, his lordship and friends
were drawn back, by the people, through New Street,
High Street, and Bull Street, to Styles’s hotel,
amidst a blaze of several hundred lighted torches.
Next morning, his lordship and friends, accompanied
by the high and low bailiffs, walked to view the manufactory
of Mr. Clay, japanner in ordinary to his Majesty and
his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales; the sword manufactory
of Messrs. Woolley and Deakin; the button manufactory
of Messrs. W. and R. Smith; the buckle and ring manufactory
of Messrs. Simcox and Timmins; and the patent-sash
manufactory of Messrs. Timmins and Jordan. They
then went, drawn in their carriage by the populace,
a prodigious multitude constantly attending, to Mr.
Egerton’s stained-glass manufactory, at Handsworth,
where they were received by a party of beautiful young
ladies, dressed in white, and who literally strewed
the hero’s ways with flowers. Here his
lordship particularly admired a large window intended
for Lady Masterman Sykes, and some works for Fonthill
and Arundel. The party then proceeded to Mr.
Boulton’s matchless manufactory at Soho; and
visited that ingenious gentleman, who was slowly recovering
from a dangerous illness, in his bed-chamber.
They then viewed the extensive coining apparatus;
and were presented with several appropriate medals
struck in their presence. On returning to the
hotel, they found an elegant dinner, consisting of
every delicacy the season could afford, provided by
the high and low bailiffs: at which they were
met by Heneage Legge, Esq. the high-sheriff; Dugdale
Stratford Dugdale, Esq. one of the members for the
county of Stafford; his lordship’s esteemed friend


