A NARRATIVE OF THE Manner of Celebrating his Majesty's most Glorious and Joyful Coronation in the City of BATH, April 23. 1661. by the Mayor, aldermans and Citizens thereof, and their adjoining Neighbours of the Gentry and Commonalty;  
Sent in a Letter from john Ford, Esq Mayor, of the City, to William Prynne, Esq One of their Elected Citizens for the Approaching Parliament.  
Honoured Sir,  
HAving yesterday solemnised his Majesty's Coronation, here within our City of Bath, I thought it an obligation upon me to give you a short account thereof, which you may please to take as followeth, viz. Whilst the morning was ushered in, and welcomed by the Bells, the Drums beat, calling to such as would demonstrate their good affections to the King, to show themselves in Arms: For the Celebrating the day, whereupon all men that had arms fit for that employment, appeared by this time; (that we might the better mixed our joys with pious contemplations of Prayers and Thanksgiving unto the King of Kings for returning unto us, and Crowning this our unparallelled earthly King) my self and the Aldermen in Scarlet, attended on by the rest of our Corporation in their Gowns, went to Church, the streets being guarded by these forementioned persons in Arms, on both sides; leaving a passage for us to pass between, and crying out, God save the King, with great Acclamations of Joy; after us followed, above four hundred Virgins, most in white wastecoats and green petticoats, going two and two, each two bearning aloft in their hands, guilded Crowns and Garlands, made in the form of Crowns, bedecked with all manner of rare and choicest flowers; These Ushered Mistress Mayoresse to the Church, who was attended on by the Alderman's wives and Common Council men's wives and divers other Gentlewomen of the City; These being past, the Soldiers marched after, and having laid by their Arms, came into the Church, as generally the whole City did: so that our Church was never fuller, all persons expressing as much piety towards God, as Loyalty towards their King. After Mr. Masters our Minister had given us a most excellent and learned Sermon, Instructing us both in our duty towards God and towards the King, taking his text out of Mat. 22. and 21. verse. The Sermon being ended, the Soldiery again made a guard for us, and we having now the loud music playing before us, and being followed by the said 400. Virgins, and the Gentlewomen before mentioned, we passed from the Church to the Conduit in the Marketplace, being also guarded by the way with a Company of Foot, (from the Parish of Weston a mile from us) led by Capt. Sheppard of the same Parish, and also by a troop of Horse being Volunteers, Commanded by your Nephew Mr. George Clark; having passed these and come to the Conduit, it began to run with Claret, where we drank a health to his Majesty, which was seconded with loud Acclamations of Loyalty, each person crying out, God save the King. From thence we passed to the Guild-hall, where having entertained the Gentlemen of our City, and such Gentlemen as came out of the Country to us, we with the Souldery marched from thence with the loud music playing before us, through every street in our City: In the mean time, the Gentlewomen and their Virgin Attendance were entertained by my Wife at home. All which being performed with many volleys of Shot and loud Acclamations of Joy; the night began to partisipate of our mirth, which we entertained with Bonfires and flying fireworks, prepared by certain persons, sent for to that purpose from Bristol, who excellently well performed their undertake for several hours; which being done, the people civilly dispersed, and the whole days work carried on with great sobriety and temperance, I hope to the great credit of our City. This day again the Soldiery having part of their yesterday allowance of powder left, and resolving not to rob his Majesty of that Honour, they ought to do him therewith, met together and spent this day also, marching about the City, giving several volleys of shot, and great expressions of Loyalty: And are now concluding the Day with more Bonesires. Thus do all people give great expressions of their loyalty to the King, for whose prosperous Reign (according to my bounden duty) I most heartily pray. And now craving excuse for troubling you with these Relations, I take leave, and subscribe myself, as I truly am,  
Sir, Your faithful Friend and Servant, John Ford. Ba the 24. April 1661.   

London, Printed for Edward Thomas at the Adam and Eve in Little-britain, 1661.