The King's youthful soldiers

Sunday 18 Berlin visited the grand station this morning where were assembled some 300 officers as is usual on Sundays—all splendid looking men. [61]  A band of musicians were playing, for an hour or so, in real German style of military music.  There is almost as much military show here as in Russia.  Every officer must have beenin the ranks as a common soldier before he can become a commander or any officer.  The present King has mounted guard ‘tis said before his father’s palace.  ‘Tis remarkable how young all the soldiers here appear.  I have seen scarcely one over 21 years—though of course there are some.  The people at present are rather uneasy.  They some short time since asked of the new King to fulfill his father’s promises, which he made when calling on his people to rally against Napoleon, viz, “that he would give them a constitution.”  The present King does not at present seem disposed to fulfil it—and the people do not feel quite satisfied.[62]

The celebration continues; visiting the Queen

The Court and visitors rode through the city during the evening in some hundreds of carriages making the scene appear still gayer.  The horses of the Queen of Holland, Emp of Russia and many smaller sovereigns who have residence in Berlin was most brilliant.  In fact nothing could surpass the brilliancy of the scene.  The evening although rather unpleasant proved more favorable than was anticipated during the day.  After satisfying ourselves with the scene, returned to our rooms which we found lighted also as were all the others in the whole of the city.

Eilzabeth Ludovika of Bavaria
by Joseph Stieler

To-day also the streets were lined with carriages, the same persons calling to pay their [57] respects to the Queen.  It would seem as though the line of carriages must cease soon, but they still came on.  The gentlemen all in uniform or court-dress, and the ladies most gaily dressed as a matter of course.  From our window we saw every one getting out of, or into their carriages.  To-morrow a great Ball is to be given, and the festivities continued for a fortnight--by balls, dinner-parties, &c.  So completed our day with visiting the Museum containing some fine pictures and bronzes.

The coronation of Frederick William IV

It turned out that the morrow was the Kings birth-day, and also the day when he was to receive the homage of his subjects as King of Prussia.  Every public Building that we could see in going into the streets was completely covered with lamps.  In the square in front of the Palace, pursers were arranging places for the different deputations to stand the next day.  A temporary throne with hangings of gold and scarlet was being built in port and attached to the Palace, and preparations on a grand scale were going forward all over the city.  The various public monuments were hung with flags & flowers—the bridges had statues placed upon them made particularly for the occasion (of plaster of course), and the tops of the houses in the vicinity of the Palace were covered with seats [54] which were sold to Spectators for a Louis d’or each.  Occupied ourselves with walking around the city during the day—and were woken the next morning early by the din under our windows of bands playing, carriages passing &c &c.Rose immediately, and found the people already collecting, in fact the large square in front of the Palace already nearly filled with the various processions.  The King gave also an audience to the nobility, Diplomatic corps &c. and the line of carriages entering into the palace, directly opposite to our lodgings was unceasing.  Of course the equipages were as brilliant as could be made, and every one seemed to try to surpass some other one in his establishment.  It seemed as if there must have been at least 50 royal carriages that were sent by the King, to wait upon the many distinguished strangers, Ambassadors &c that had arrived in Berlin.

The many members of the diff[erent] branches of the Royal Family attended with their carriages & six, The Royal carriage having Eight [55] with 4 outriders.  The scene was truly magnificent and though, now and t hen a slight shower fell, still every thing seemed gay at least in the first part of the day.  For later it rained quite hard, and having no shelter many must have suffered much.  The ascendance of the King to the throne was announced by Cannon and the various deputations went forward and swore fidelity.  As it rained at the time very hard I contented myself with getting one glance of His Majesty and returning to the house.  Throughout the whole day the city was crowded with people (30,000 strangers said to be in Berlin) and in the evening, it was almost impossible to get along—a carriage could not be obtained for money, and walking was almost dangerous.  We had no other resource however, and footed it. Every house and building in the city was illuminated.  It was almost like fairy land, one blaze of [56] light.  The Arsenal in particular (considered as the finest specimen of modern architecture in Europe) surpassed any thing  I ever witnessed. It was completely one blaze of light.  Its size is immense, and there was seemingly a space left removed, where a light could be placed to advantage.

Zeughaus (Arsenal), Berlin

On to Berlin for the coronation of the King

Friederich Wilhelm IV

Started 9 o’clock at night (Oct 12) in the Schnell-Post.  Very comfortable with the exception of being obliged to change vehicles at every Post, as we were in one of the carriages.  Learned on the way that the King of Prussia was to be crowned in a few days at Berlin!  Scarcely knew what to make of it, as we had heard nothing of it before.  Reached Berlin, in 34 hours about 7 am, where we found some 9 or 10 Diligences arriving at the same time with ourselves. Saw as we passed into the city grand preparations for some great Fete.  We now saw that there was really something going to happen.  Hotels all full, every room engaged a month beforehand, and very few private lodgings to be obtained.. after finding several rooms however, some at nine thalers a day Lo! finally engaged some at random at five thalers per day! and really [53] we were very fortunate indeed, as many could scarcely get any at all, and ours proved to be very comfortable, and to be directly opposite the Palace.