doors were thrown open to the unfortunate debtor; and every heart, which man was capable of making glad, rejoiced on that day.

With regard to the King, personally, on this happy occasion, we may remark, that he attended divine service at the chapel, Windsor Castle, between eight and nine o'clock, accompanied by the Queen, Princess Elizabeth, and the Dukes of York and Sussex; after which the Queen and princess proceeded to Frogmore, where a triumphal arch had been raised, to inspect the preparations for a complimentary fête, in honour of the august consort and parent.

A large ox roasted whole had been prepared by the Queen's order in Bachelor's Acre, which was viewed by the whole royal family, with the exception of the King and the Princess of Wales, who were not present: at one o'clock also an appropriate royal salute of fifty guns was discharged from a grove in Windsor Park; and at night the Queen gave a most superb fête at Frogmore, which, in point of taste, splendour, and brilliancy, had on no occasion been excelled; but His Majesty did not appear.

1810.

On the ninth of January, 1810, another contest took place on the part of the city of London, res

pecting the presenting of addresses from a commonhall, when it was stated to the hall that the remembrancer had called at the secretary of state's office with an address from the livery, and an intimation that it was intended to present it on the next levee day. Next day he was told that it must be left at the secretary of state's office to be presented by him to the King, as was customary with all addresses, except those from the two universities, and the corporation of London. On the levee day the lordmayor told the secretary that he then had the address in his pocket, and wished to present it. The secretary said it was best to give it him, and he would save the lord-mayor all further trouble; to which his lordship replied, that he would not consent to present it to any one, except to the King in person; and that it was both the wish of himself and the sheriffs to do it in that way which would save His Majesty most trouble.

The secretary then said the King's pleasure had been already taken and expressed as to the mode of presenting it: when Mr. Sheriff Wood demanded an audience of His Majesty, which the secretary replied could not be granted, except upon some especial and expressed reason; and that no audience could be granted on a subject upon which the King had already expressed his pleasure.

Such was the report, when the patriots of the common-hall resolved to take the palace by storm;

and again asserted their right in common-hall, to present petitions to the King sitting on his throne; which they now declared they had waved on the former contest only out of personal feelings towards the sovereign. This was followed by the usual tirade of denial of rights, flagrant violation of right of petitioning, &c. &c. with the customary clamours against ministers, and directions to city members to institute inquiry into alleged abuses.

The would-be reformers, however, failed in their object, and were unable to insult the throne, which, it was then supposed, they would never be able to do by a corporate address.

During the summer of this year the King still pursued his custom of evening walks on the terrace at Windsor. Seven o'clock was his usual hour; when a small door, in one of the towers leading to the terrace, was thrown open, and the venerable monarch appeared, lead by two attendants down a flight of steps, until he descended to the walk. He was then generally taken by each arm by the Princesses Augusta and Elizabeth, who paced with him on the terrace for about an hour; two bands of music being always in attendance, and playing alternately. His Majesty's usual dress upon these occasions was a blue coat and gilt buttons; the rest of his apparel white, with gold buckles, and the star of the Royal Order of the Garter. His hat, in order to shade his face, was of the clerical form, but ornamented with a cockade, and gold button and loop.

His personal appearance then was ruddy, and full; his voice sonorous; he conversed with cheerfulness, but with his usual rapidity, mingled with a little hesitation.

Though his hat was formed so as to shade his eyes, yet his actions sufficiently manifested his decayed, or decaying sight, as he always felt before him with his cane, especially in ascending or descending the steps; so that it was affecting to see him, though he himself always appeared cheerful when he spoke, and in other respects seemed as if nothing was the matter with him.

As any of the nobility or gentry, with whom he was in the habit of conversing, approached him, they were named by the princesses, when he always accosted them, condescendingly chatting on a variety of topics with the utmost freedom and hilarity. When the time of retiring came, the King who in ascending to his apartments in the castle had to pass the band of music on the steps, always touched his hat, and said in an audible voice, "Good night, gentlemen: I thank you."

This was peculiarly gratifying to all; and, indeed, during the entire period of his promenade, he seemed in perfect good-humour with the whole of the company; the only etiquette on the terrace being, that when His Majesty passed, the company withdrew on either side, the gentlemen merely. taking off their hats, and all bows and curtsies being strictly dispensed with.

Only one police

officer was, at this period, in attendance, who merely carried a little switch, with which, like a rod of office, he kept any curiously indiscreet individuals from pressing too close on the royal party, when the King stopped to converse; but even this was done, at the King's express desire, with the utmost urbanity and personal delicacy.

On some occasions the Queen accompanied him on the terrace, though not always; but the whole royal family were regular in their attendance at chapel every morning, when the King always seemed seriously engaged in his devotions.

After breakfast, except on Sunday, His Majesty generally rode out on horseback; and, considering his age and infirmity of vision, he still mounted his horse with almost his former agility.

In his ride he was always accompanied by two of the princesses, also on horseback, whilst some of the ladies of the court generally followed in a landau, or other open carriage. But in these excursions he was unable to direct his own horse; in consequence of which two of his attendants were always close by him, one of whom carried a little stick, with a hook at one end, holding on that part of the bridle next to the curb, so that if the horse should start or stumble, instant assistance might be given.

Towards the close of 1810, the heavy and heartrending affliction, which for so many years separated a venerated sovereign from his people, was first observed to take place, hastened, if not actually