ten o'clock
Under the canopy stood gilt arm-chairs , with cushions of purple velvet . This was the tribune destined for the emperor and his family ; all eyes were riveted upon it , and all hearts longed to greet the sovereign , and thank him for the proud happiness of this hour . Further on rose other and no less splendidly decorated tribunes , the seats of which had been sold at enormous rates to the aristocracy and wealthy citizens of Vienna for the benefit of the militia ; and thousands had found seats on the trees surrounding the broad promenade and the rondel , and paid for their airy perches only with some pains and bruises . Since early dawn this pilgrimage to the glacis had been going on ; by ten o'clock all seats , roads , tribunes , trees , ditches , and bridges , were occupied by a dense crowd ; and , in order to prevent accidents , the authorities had already ordered all approaches to the glacis to be closed . On the broad promenade , too , matters assumed a very lively aspect . The militia marched up with banners unfurled and drums beating . They drew up in line on both sides of the road , and their officers and standard-bearers repaired to the large rondel where another had been constructed in face of the imperial tribune .