Public Applause.

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CHAPTER VI.

Rural Excursions-Opera House and Theatres-Courtly Honours -Treaty of Marriage-Public Congratulations--Freedom of the City-National Hopes and Disappointment-Musical Anecdote.

EVERY succeeding day, as the Royal Pair rode out in their curricle, free from all state and restraint, they were greeted with the loudest acclamations from the crowds that surrounded their dwelling. On those occasions the affable manner in which they received the boisterous yet heartfelt congratulations of admiring multitudes, was highly gratifying to all ranks. They did not confine their excursions to the Parks, but drove round all parts of the metropolis and its vicinity; and it was delightful to mark the eager pleasure with which the lovely bride, and future Sovereign, pointed out to her happy companion the various beauties and excellencies of this land of happiness-a land now so mournfully be wailing her loss!

Fashionable expectation was now on the alert to see the happy pair at the Opera House on Saturday the 18th; and, as it was the first time that her Royal Highness honoured any public spectacle with her presence since the auspicious event which

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Visit to Opera House.

placed her in the light so new and important to the nation, the anxiety to behold her was general throughout the metropolis. The price of boxes for the single night rose, in some instances, so high as ten guineas. The pit, at an unusually early hour, was crowded almost to suffocation. The royal pair, who had not returned, from their tete-a-lete drive in a curricle, to dinner until near seven o'clock, entered the theatre about half past nine, and were received with hearty acclamations. "God save the King" was called for; sung by the principal performers, with powerful expression, and joined in, enthusiastically, by the audience. The Princess, gratified and evidently touched by the affectionate welcome of her future subjects, acknowledged it by smiles of pleasure, and by frequent bows directed to all parts of the house.. Her Royal Highness, and also his Highness Prince Leopold, paid much attention to the progress of the opera and ballet. At times she recognized, and affably saluted, the ladies of the foreign ambassadors, and many of the nobility in their boxes. Her whole carriage. was in the highest sense gracious and dignified, as became her exalted station: nor was there wanting something peculiarly well advised, and of good omen, in the simple circumstances of a Princess, on whom so many eyes were fixed, and of whom so inany hopes were formed, entering into public accoinpanied only by her husband; for they had neither visitors nor attendants. It was in good taste, and

Drury Lane Theatre.

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of good example-it was in the old English, but half exploded fashion, of man and wife, and worthy of general imitation.

"God save the King," with additional verses applicable to the royal couple, was sung with heightened energy at the close of the opera; and, on retiring at 12 o'clock, their Royal Highnesses again experienced, and graciously returned, the attachment and congratulations of the audience.

On the morning of Monday the 20th, they went to a private view of the British Gallery, accompanied by the Dutchess of York, where they were received by a noble and fashionable circle of pictorial amateurs: and, in the evening, proceeded on their first visit to Drury Lane Theatre, where a crowded and overflowing house anxiously waited their arrival. It was late when they entered the house; where they were received in the usual manner due to royalty: their box door opened just as Kean was commencing the most trying scene in the tragedy of Bertram-but all attention was wrapped up in the bridal visitors, and the business of the stage stood still. The Princess was attired in plain court mourning, with a chaplet of roses and lilies on her head-the very emblem of elegant simplicity: and the company were instantly gratified by the considerate conduct of the Royal Pair, who stood forward in the front of the box for some time, during which the applause was most enthu

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Princely Affability.

siastic. On this occasion the Prince had an oppôrtunity of witnessing a little plain English freedom; for, in the early part of the farce, the noise was so great, accompanied with claps and hisses, that the performance was little better that dumb show. The cry of "Stage box" was reiterated, until at length it was understood that those persons who, from their position, were unable to see the Royal Pair, were anxious that they should change their place for a more conspicuous situation. This of course. was not easily nor properly to be complied with; but the wish was no sooner understood, than both the Prince and Princess instantly rose, and came to the front of the box, where they stood some time, saluting the audience, with the most cheerful condescension. Quiet was now restored; and on resuming their seats, those, who could see, were delighted at the interest which they took in all that was passing; the Princess especially, beating time with her fan to "God save the King;" and explaining to Prince Leopold the humours both before and behind the curtain. The national anthems were again sung, the Princess again bending forward and bowing repeatedly, and retiring finally amidst the most heartfelt applause.

The Prince Regent now hastened to shower down all possible personal honours on his son in law; and on Thursday the 20th held a Court at Carlton House for the express purpose of investing him with

Chivalric Honours.

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the two national orders of chivalry. On this occasion, her Royal Highness and Prince Leopold arrived together; when the Princess, attended by Col. Addenbroke, Lady John Thynne, and Lady Emily Murray, was conducted into the room adjoining the royal closet for the purpose of witnessing an investiture of the Order of the Bath, she never having seen that ceremony; and the interest must to her fond heart have been particularly gratifying. His Serene Highness was conducted into the Crimson Bow Room, to wait till the ceremony was ready to commencé.

A procession was then formed from a room adjoining the great hall, where the Knights were assembled, in their splendid insignia of the Order. After the usual ceremonies, Lord Lynedock and Sir G. Beckwith, the two junior Knights, introduced the Prince of Saxe-Coburg, who was by the Regent invested with the Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath.

Afterwards the Princess was conducted into the Throne Room, when she took her station on the right side of the state chair, opposite the throne. The Knights of the Garter entered in grand procession. A new statute was promulgated by the Chancellor, dispensing with existing statutes, for the purpose of declaring Prince Leopold of Saxe-Coburg, a Knight of the Order. Viscount Castlereagh and the Earl of Liverpool then retired,