they examined that ancient residence with great precision and curiosity.

After breakfast they walked into the gardens, and took several turns on the terraces, especially the green terrace in the chapel garden, as minutely detailed by the worthy prelate in his own memoir, where they shewed themselves to an immense crowd of people, who flocked in from the vicinity; and, standing on the rising grounds of the park, saw, and were seen, to great advantage. The day being extremely bright, the bishop describes the shew as agreeable and striking; and it was much admired by the royal party, who returned to Cheltenham in the evening.

At this period the charitable meeting of the three choirs of Gloucester, Hereford, and Worcester, for the benefit of the widows and orphans of the poorer clergy of these dioceses, was about to take place at the latter city; and His Majesty having expressed his intention to honour that solemnity with his presence, the performances had been fixed for the early part of the month.

On the day previous to the commencement the royal cortege left Cheltenham for Worcester, where they had accepted of the bishop's invitation to take up their abode in his palace; and the next morning, previous to visiting the cathedral, His Majesty gave audience to the bishop and clergy, when Dr. Hurd delivered an address expressive of congratulations

on his safe arrival, of loyal affection and duty, gratitude for regard shewn to religion and to the church, and pious wishes for his welfare; to which the King returned a most gracious answer. An address, appropriate to the occasion, was also delivered to the Queen; after which the whole of the party had the honour to kiss hands.

The corporation next arrived, when their recorder, the Earl of Coventry, led similar ceremonials; after which a public levee was held, when their majesties and family, suite, &c. walked through the court of the palace to the cathedral, to attend divine service, at their entrance into which they were received with all clerical formalities, and conducted to a gallery fitted up for the occasion; the same ceremonial being observed on the successive days of performance.

During the meeting, the concourse of visitors of all ranks at Worcester was immense; and the loyal joy loudly expressed was universal. All were particularly delighted with the exemplary conduct of the royal family, who attended prayers in the bishop's private chapel every morning, the service being performed by the bishop himself, and manifested their charitable feelings by a donation of £200. to the charity, with 50. from the King, and the same sum from the Queen, for the poor of the city, besides 300. which the King left with the bishop, for the benevolent purpose of releasing tho

most deserving debtors in the city and county gaols.

Of this visit various anecdotes have been told, on good authority; particularly, that on the first morning the King went down the street incog. He was soon recognised; and when he came upon the bridge, he turned round to the people and said, "This, I suppose, is Worcester new bridge." your majesty," said a cobbler.

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my boys, let's have a huzza!”

"Yes, please Then," said he, His Majesty

set the example, and a fine shout ensued. Afterwards the mob continued huzzaing him all the way to the palace.

The second morning the King was out at half after five. He went to Colonel Digby's and Colonel Gwynn's lodgings. The maid servant was cleaning the door. The girl threw down her mop and run away to the bell. The King stopped her and desired her to shew him where the "fellows" slept. The girl obeyed: and His Majesty went himself and called them up. The colonels leaped out of their beds as if surprised in camp by an enemy; but the King was off, and they were obliged to run over the town to find him.

On visiting the guildhall, His Majesty was singularly affable and agreeable. After viewing every thing worthy of attention, he was shewn into the grand parlour, where some excellent viands, wines, fruit, &c. were placed. The mayor having been

previously informed that His Majesty never tasted wine in the morning, humbly entreated him to take a jelly. The King replied, “ I never yet did take wine in the morning; but on this interesting and pleasant occasion I will venture on a glass." The mayor filled a glass of rich old mountain, and His Majesty drank, "Prosperity and happiness to the corporation and citizens of Worcester." This being made known to the multitude without, they rent the air with their shouts.

On his return to the palace, he walked through the streets. As he came with only one attendant, besides the lords in waiting, the crowd voluntarily opened an avenue for His Majesty, forming a phalaux on each side, to prevent any rude intruder, if there had been one, from breaking in upon the passage. The scene was affecting; and, when taken in a political point of view, forms an interesting epoch in the history of the country. After so many centuries had passed in repeated struggles for and against liberty, and for the several successions which had taken place to the throne; after the crown had been obliged to resort to the unconstitutional expedient of a standing army for its support-to behold the King of the country walking the streets as a private gentleman, with only two or three attendants, amid thousands and tens of thousands of his subjects, without a single guard or peace officer, happy in the love, and rejoicing in

the liberty of his people, was an event such as the oldest man then living had never seen, and such as the youngest, but a few years before, scarcely ever expected to see,

An attempt was made to move the spirit in the quakers of Worcester to address His Majesty; but these people kept in their old dull track of life, and were rather concerned that such a thing as a royal visit had happened, to break in upon their quietude. About a dozen of the more curious among them got leave to step into the court yard when His Majesty's coach left the palace, but they stood unmoved, with their hats on their heads. The King saw that they were quakers, and taking off his hat bowed to them. They, in return, moved their hands, and the eldest of them said-" Fare thee well, friend George!" The King and Queen laughed heartily at this sympathetic affectation.

But perhaps the most remarkable incident attending this royal visit is still to be related. The only person who, by His Majesty's desire, accompanied him, as conducter through the town, was a descendant of Cromwell's family. The King appeared to converse with him with great affability and condescension. The singularity of the circumstance attracted general notice.

Of the King's readiness to manifest his opinion, the following anecdote is related during this visit to Worcester. On the proposition for building Down