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by the Bishop of London, the King standing at one end of the altar, and the Queen at the other; and as soon as the service was performed, the Duchess went to His Majesty, and attempted to kneel, which the King with some difficulty prevented, and, raising her in his arms, he affectionately embraced her.

Though the King lived in the most friendly style with his family, yet on particular occasions an extreme etiquette was observed; an instance of which occurred soon after the arrival of the Duchess of York, when their majesties and the princesses paid a visit to their new relative at York House.

After reciprocal salutations in the hall, their majesties were led to the lower apartment, fronting the park, where tea, coffee, and other refreshments, were prepared. The tea ceremonial was, that it was introduced by the servants in waiting, received by gentlemen of the duke's establishment, and handed by the Prince of Wales to the King; after which a cup was received by the Duke of York, handed by him to the Duchess, and presented by her to Her Majesty. Notwithstanding this ceremonious formality, an agreeable family evening was spent, the royal visitors not retiring until a late hour.

It may not be uninteresting to sketch the etiquette of a public drawing-room also, when, notwithstanding the ceremony, their majesties were always condescending, almost to familiarity.

At the commencement the company began to occupy the anti-chambers leading to the drawingroom, ranging themselves on each side, but leaving a line for the royal party to pass through. On crowded occasions there have been six or seven ranks on each side. The King always passed first, noticing the persons of fashion on each side, but without stopping for conversation.

Then came the Queen, who spoke, sometimes for one or two minutes, to almost every person known to her, conversing familiarly with the ladies, and with great affability.

The chamberlain of the household led the Queen, and an officer of her household handed each of the princesses.

The entrance to the drawing-room was by three doors at those on the sides the company entered; the central doors were only thrown open for their majesties, or some of the royal family; the officers of the household stood on each side; and the lord chamberlain attended whenever their majesties passed.

The etiquette was for no person to enter the drawing-room until the arrival of their majesties; but that was dispensed with on crowded occasions. When in the room, the King remained on the right side, and the Queen on the left, both, very near to the door, and without approaching the throne.

If very crowded, it has happened that ladies were actually more than an hour in passing from the

doors to the circles, though not distant more than four yards; and it has often happened that some, unable to bear the fatigue, have been obliged to go away without reaching them. This pressure was chiefly on the side of the room occupied by the Queen, where the princesses and their ladies almost formed a crowded court of themselves.

The extreme familiarity with which the King and Queen mixed with their subjects on these occasions was particularly exemplified at the evening balls, at one of which, about this period, whilst the Prince of Wales was talking to His Majesty, he felt a severe pull at his sword, and, on looking round, perceived the diamond guard of his sword was broken off, and suspended only by a small piece of wire, which, from its elasticity, did not break.

The person whom the Prince suspected to have made this impudent attempt was very genteelly dressed, and had much the appearance of a man of fashion.

The diamonds on the part of the sword on which the attempt was made were worth upwards of three thousand pounds.

To enter into all the politics of this period would far exceed our proposed limits: but we may observe that His Majesty personally approved of the policy pursued by ministers in regard to France; a policy completely adopted by the Emperor of Germany and the King of Prussia, at their interview at

VOL. 14.

Pilnitz, which took place during the summer, and where the sole article of agreement was not to interfere either externally or internally with the affairs of France; but to guard against the introduction of their opinions and practice, and so far to arm, if necessary.

The emigrants now began to pour in from France. Several ladies of high rank were forced to escape in male attire: and such numbers of priests and others came across the Channel in every direction, that the roads from Dover, Hastings, Eastbourne, Brighton, &c. were crowded with them coming up to town by every possible conveyance, of coaches, waggons, fish carts, &c. whilst many were obliged to walk, but attended by one small cart, in which they mounted by turns as they became fatigued. The streets of the metropolis soon swarmed with them; and as many of them were in absolute distress, subscriptions were speedily opened, which the King most benevolently patronized, both he and the Queen affording assistance to individuals of high rank, who remained ignorant of their benefactors.*

* The following is a return of the numbers of these persons in England.

French clergy supported by government
Lay-people ditto, including women and children
Clergy not supported by government, as having means

.......

in themselves, or living by their industry, about....

5000

2950

500

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