nity; and part spent by the King, on horseback, rambling over the hills and downs, or walking on the esplanade amidst respectfully joyous groups of his loyal subjects. The sabbath day was always passed in the offices of religion, the royal family walking to church without parade or ceremony, but the service always ending with "God save the King."

Thus their majesties led a life of complete rural retirement, dispensing with all but the absolutely necessary appendages of state; and in their religious humility, general benevolence, and family union, setting daily and hourly an example to their subjects highly worthy of imitation; and the adoption of which can seldom fail to have the strongest tendency to ensure personal, and to diffuse general happiness. In fact, it was noticed that such was their goodness and condescension, that no opportunity was lost of doing good, or of gratifying the wishes of the multitude who flocked from all parts to behold their venerated monarch, happy amidst his loyal and affectionate people.

An additional gratification was frequently given to the crowds who attended their evening walks, by the music of the rooms going on board the King's barge, and performing in the bay, but within hearing of the numerous parties on the esplanade.

In one of the King's excursions, during the hayharvest, in the neighbourhood of Weymouth, he

passed a field where only one woman was at work. His Majesty asked her where the rest of her companions were. The woman answered, they were gone to see the King. "And why did you not go with them?" rejoined His Majesty. "The fools," replied the woman, "that are gone to town, will lose a day's work by it, and that is more than I can afford to do. I have five children to work for." "Well, then," said His Majesty, putting some money into her hands, you may tell your companions who are gone to see the King, that the King came to see you."

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Repeated excursions were also made to the mansions of the nobility and gentry, within the compass of a morning ride and bathing was adopted both by Majesty and the princesses.

On the ninth of July, the Magnificent, of seventyfour guns, commanded by Captain Onslow, (afterwards Admiral Sir Richard) came to an anchor in the roads, and saluted as usual; and at five in the evening, all the boats of the men of war being sent on shore, their majesties and princesses embarked for a short sail in the bay, and went on board the Southampton frigate, just arrived in attendance on the royal party. The bay was literally covered with pleasure boats, which followed the King into Portland Roads; and the whole scene was most picturesque and impressive.

During the attendance of the men of war, the

behaviour of the royal party could not fail to ingratiate them in the honest seamen's good will: and not only was all unnecessary ceremony laid aside, but even regard to personal comfort often dispensed with, under circumstances which often annoy water parties. On one occasion, on the thirteenth, the royal party and suite returned from their sea excursion with a complete ducking; for, notwithstanding the heavy rain, and swell of the sea, neither the King nor the Queen would suffer the awning to be spread, but seemed perfectly to enjoy the frolic, landing in the highest spirits, and laughing at each other's wet jackets. Even the youthful princesses, though almost literally half drowned, preserved their usual good humour, and laughed at their own mischance, when condolements were offered in all due form and ceremonial.

On one of those occasions, at noon, the lieutenant of the watch, agreeable to nautical custom, informed the captain, whilst conversing with His Majesty, that it was twelve o'clock. "Make it so, Sir," replied the captain; meaning to order the bell to be rung for the close of the nautical day, and the commencement of a new one. The King was instantly struck with this, and with a smile observed to the captain-" You, Sir, possess more power than I do: I cannot make it what time I please."

&

When, on the succeeding day, the Southampton sailed with them on a short cruize, it was the King's express order that no salutes should be fired, nor even the royal standard hoisted, either by the men of war or the barges. In short, it seemed his anxious wish to get rid of all state; indeed, the whole royal party endeared themselves more and more every day to the people on shore, and to the officers and seamen afloat, by their habits of familiarity, condescension, and suavity of manners. Throughout the whole of their excursions, there was on the part of the royal pair no assumption of painful pre-eminence, or imposing superiority. The awe of state was removed by the ease of the gentleman; and the princesses were the theme of praise from every tongue.

The extraordinary attention of the royal visitors to the comforts and convenience of all around them, was strongly marked on the fifteenth; when hearing that, on their intended visit to the theatre, the manager proposed the erection of a superb box for their accommodation, they instantly sent a message, with their usual condescending and considerate goodness, forbidding him to incur any unnecessary expense on their account; which was accordingly attended to: and their majesties were highly satisfied with the simple preparation of three rows being raised in front for the reception of themselves and suite.

On the following morning the King was both amused and delighted with a demonstration of simple-hearted loyalty, by the appearance before Gloucester Lodge of two waggons loaded with the peasantry, principally females, who stopped there bareheaded, though under a heavy rain, singing "God save the King," accompanied by three loud huzzas; which was listened to by the royal family, who also kindly exhibited themselves to the honest party. Time now passed on in aquatic trips, public amusements, country rides, sea-bathing, &c.; and on the eighteenth, the royal party, except the Queen, went on board the Magnificent for the first time, when the King behaved with the most marked condescension, remaining uncovered on the quarter-deck for some time, bowing to the officers as he passed them into the cabin. The behaviour of the princesses was equally conciliatory; and the latter gaily declared, that if they had been boys, the sea should have been their element. Every part of the ship was visited; and the King was so forcibly struck by the whiteness of the decks below, that he observed to the Princess Elizabeth his doubts whether the palace at Windsor could boast of equal cleanliness; indeed, His Majesty was so delighted with the scene, that he promised to Captain Onslow he would bring the Queen to drink tea on board, that she might enjoy equal satisfaction.

The theatre was now become such a favourite