Queen is so gra cious she will always make me sit down,) the Duchess of Portland sat next to the Queen, and I sat next to Princess Royal. On the other side of me was a chair, and his Majesty did me the honour to sit by me." He went backwards and forwards between that and the musicroom. He was so gracious as to have a good deal of conversation with me, particularly about Handel's music; and ordered those pieces to be played which he found I gave a preference to. In the course of the evening, the Queen changed places with Princess Royal, saying, most graciously, she must have a little conversation with Mrs Delany, which lasted about half an hour. She then got up, it being half an hour after ten, and said she was afraid she should keep the Duchess of Portland too late, and made her courtesy, and we with drew." pp. 21-24.

The following passage exhibits the Royal pair in the familiar and endearing light of a well-bred and kindhearted country gentleman and his lady receiving a forenoon's visit from a neighbour with whom they lived on terms of intimacy.

"The Queen made a morning visit here about three weeks ago, and brought only Lady Dartrey with her. The Duchess paid her duty in return, at the Queen's Lodge, and I had the honour of accompanying her. The Queen was quite alone in her dressing-room; her dress was simple and elegant, in a pale lilach satin. She added dignity to her dress by her most gracious manner of conversing. She was making fringe in a frame, and did me the honour to show me how to do it, and to say she would send me such a frame as her own, as she thought it was a work that would not try my eyes. We were dismissed at three o'clock, and, as we were going to the chaise, we met, in the passage, the King and his greyhounds, just returned from coursing He told the Duchess that he could not part with her so; but we must both make him a visit, and opened the door for us to go with him into the drawing-room. The Queen soon came to us, and invited us back to her apartment, as the warmer place, and we staid till four 'clock." pp. 26, 27

of our royal visitors. In a few days after our arrival here, the Duchess of Portland and I were sitting in the long gallery, very busy with our different employments, when, without any ceremony, his Majesty walked up to our table, unperceived and unknown till he came quite up to us. You may believe we were at first a little fluttered with his royal presence; but his courteous and affable manner soon made him a welcome guest. He came to inform the Duchess of Portland of the Queen's perfect recovery after her lying-in, which made him doubly welcome.

"Breakfast was called for, and, after a visit of two hours, the King left us. A bout a week after this, the King and Queen came together, only accompanied by Lady Courtown. They breakfasted and stayed much about the same time. The etiquette is, that the person on whom such an honour is conferred goes the next day to inquire after their Majesties; but the Queen waved that ceremony, and desired the

Duchess not to come till she received a summons, as they were going to St James's for some days. Last Thursday, 2d of Oc tober, a little before twelve o'clock, word was brought that the Royal Family were coming up the Park; and, immediately after, two coaches-and-six, with the King on horseback, and a great retinue, came up to the hall door. The company were, the King and Queen, Princess Royal, Princess Augusta, Princess Elizabeth, Princess Mary, and Princess Sophia, a lovely group, all dressed in white muslin polonoises, white chip hats with white feathers, except the Queen, who had on a black hat and cloak;-the King dressed in his Windsor uniform of blue and gold; the Queen, attended by the Duchess of Ancaster, who is mistress of the robes, and Lady Eliza beth Waldegrave, who attends the two eldest Princesses, and Mrs Goldsworthy, who is sub-governess to the three younger Princesses. The King had no attendants but the equerries, Major Digby and Major Price. They were in the drawing-room before I was sent for, where I found the King and Queen and Duchess of Portland seated at a table in the middle of the room. The King, wish his usual graciousness, came up to me, and brought me forward, and found the Queen very busy in showing a very elegant machine to the Duchess of Portland, which was a frame for weaving of fringe, of a new and most delicate structure, and would take up as much paper as has already been written upon to describe it minutely, yet it is of such simplicity as to be very useful. You will easily imagine the grateful feeling I had when the Queen presented it to me, to make up some knotted fringe which she saw me about. The King, at the same time, said he must cons tribute something to my work, and present

ed me with a gold knotting shuttle, of most exquisite workmanship and taste; and I am at this time, while I am dictating the letter, knotting white silk, to fringe the bag which is to contain it.

"On the Monday after, we were appointed to go to the Lodge at Windsor, at two o'clock. We were first taken into the Duchess of Ancaster's dressing-room; in a quarter of an hour after, to the King and Queen in the drawing-room, who had nobody with them but Prince Alverstaden, the Hanoverian minister, which gave me an opportunity of hearing the Queen speak German; and I may say, it was the first time I had received pleasure from what I did not understand; but there was such a fluency and sweetness in her manner of speaking it, that it sounded as gentle as Italian.

"There were two chairs brought in for the Duchess of Portland and myself to sit on, (by order of their Majesties,) which were easier than those belonging to the room. We were seated near the door that opened into the concert-room. The King directed them to play Handel and Geminiani's music, which he was graciously pleased to say was to gratify me. These are flattering honours. I should not indulge so much upon this subject, but that I de pend upon your considering it proceeding more from gratitude than vanity.-The three eldest Princesses came into the room in about half an hour after we were seat ed. All the Royal Family were dressed in a uniform for the demi-saison, of a violet blue armozine, gauze aprons, &c. &c.;— the Queen had the addition of a great many fine pearls.

When the concert of music was over, the young Princess Amelia, nine weeks old, was sent for, and brought in by her nurse and attendants. The King took her in his arms, and presented her to the Duchess of Portland and to me. Your affectionate heart would have been delighted with the royal domestic scene; an example worthy of imitation by all ranks, and, in deed, adding dignity to their high station."

pp. 30-35.

The following extract is from a letter dated the 22d of June 1784.

"Now, according to my usual custom, I must give you an account of my past life and actions, regarding royal favours. As soon as the bitterness of winter was over, I received the King and Queen's commands

to attend the Duchess of Portland to the Queen's House, at eight o'clock in the evening: there was no company there but the five Princesses and Lady Charlotte Finch. There was a concert of music in the next room, which (the door being open) we heard in a very agreeable manner. The King walked backwards and

forwards between the rooms; had a great deal of conversation with the Duchess of Portland,; and did me the honour of sharing in it some times.

"We had much talk, particularly a bout music; and his Majesty condescended to order those pieces of music to be played that he called my favourites. The Duchess of Portland sat on the Queen's right hand, and I on her left. Her Majesty talked a great deal to me about books, especially about those on religion, and recommended to me an explanation of the four Evangelists, translated from the Ger man. The next morning she sent me a present of the work, in three volumes." pp. 39, 40.

The same letter informs us, that their Majesties, having learned that the 14th of May, old style, was Mrs Delany's birth-day, they sent for her to Windsor. "It," she remarks, "does not become me to say the gracious, kind, and flattering manner. with which they received me. The Queen ordered Lady Weymouth to tie about my neck a small medallion of the King, set round with brilliants. The resemblance, which is very great, and the gracious manner in which it was done, make it quite invaluable.”

The Duchess of Portland and her companion were invited to the Queen's house to hear Mrs Siddons read "The Provoked Husband." There were two rows of chairs for the company the length of the room. Their Majesties sat in the middle of the first row, with The the Princesses on each hand. row behind was appropriated to the ladies, and the space between that and the wall to the gentlemen who were admitted. Mrs Siddons stood at a desk, with candles before her, and was allowed three pauses of half an hour each, when she retired into an adjoining room to refresh herself.

The letter giving an account of the Duchess Dowager of Portland's death is dated 24th July 1785, and is written by a brother of Bishop Sandford; and that of the 20th of the following in such an amiable light, that we must September exhibits their Majesties give it entire.

"The hurry that I have been in since my arrival at this place, has prevented the intelligence that I am sure my dear friend would like to receive, and, indeed, I hardly know how to recollect the many honours and kindnesses I hourly receive in my present situation. On Saturday, the 3d of this month, one of the Queen's messengers

work, pencils, and paper. The Queen has the goodness to make me sit down next to her, and delights me with her conversation, which is informing, elegant, and pleasing, beyond description, whilst the younger part of the family are drawing and working, &c. &c. the beautiful babe, Princess Amelia, bearing her part in the entertainment; sometimes in one of her sisters' laps; sometimes playing with the King on the carpet; which, altogether, exhibits such a delightful scene, as would require an Addison's pen, or a Vandyke's pencil, to do justice to. In the next room is the band of music, who play from eight o'clock till ten. The King generally directs them what pieces of music to play, chiefly Handel's. Here I must stop, and return to my own house. Mr Dewes, from Wellsbourn, came here on the 25th of October: on the 28th their Majesties, five Princesses, and the youngest Princes, came at seven o'clock in the evening to drink tea with me. All the Princesses and Princes had a commerce table. Miss Emily Clayton, daughter to Lady Louisa Clayton, and Miss Port, did the honours of it. It gave me a pleasing opportunity of introducing Mr Dewes to their Majesties: the King took gracious notice of him; and having heard that his youngest brother, Mr John Dewes, wished to take the name of Granville, said to Mr Dewes, that he desired he might, from that time, be called by that name, and gave or ders that his sign manual should be prepared for that purpose, which has accordingly been done." pp. 63, 64.

In another letter, Mrs Delany mentions some improvements which had been made in her house at Windsor, under the auspices of the King, with the view of rendering it more commodious to her, and she proceeds to say

"Indeed, it is now a most complete, elegant, comfortable dwelling; and I am hourly receiving marks of attention and kindness that cannot be expressed. The constant course of my living at present, from which I vary very little, is as follows: I seldom miss going to early prayers at the King's chapel, at eight o'clock, where I never fail of seeing their Majesties and all the Royal Family. The common way of going up to the chapel is through the great entrance into the castle, which is a large room with stone pillars, at the corner of which is a narrow winding staircase, which leads to the chapel; but their Majesties, with their usual goodness and indulgence, have ordered that I should be admitted through the great staircase, which is a very easy ascent. When chapel is over, all the congregation make a line in the great portico till their Majesties have passed; for hey always walk to chapel and back again,

and speak to every body of consequence as they pass; indeed, it is a delightful sight to see so much beauty, dignity, and condescension, united as they are in the Royal Family. I come home to breakfast generally about nine o'clock: if I and the weather are well enough, I take the air for two hours. The rest of the morning is devoted to business, and the company of my particular friends. I admit no formal visitors, as I really have not time or spirits for it, and every body here is very civil and very considerate. My afternoons I keep entirely to myself, that I may have no interruption whenever my royal neighbours condescend to visit me; their usual time of coming is between six and seven o'clock, and generally stay till between eight and nine. They always drink tea here, and my niece has the honour of dealing it about to all the Royal Family, as they will not suffer me to do it, (though it is my place,) the Queen always placing me upon the sofa by her, and the King when he sits down, which is seldom, sits next the sofa. Indeed, their visits are not limited to the afternoons, for their Majesties often call on me in a morning, and take me as they find me, not suffering any body to give me notice of their being come. Great as my awe is, their Majesties have such sweetness of manners, that it takes off painful sensations." pp. 67–69.

Miss Burney's introduction to the service of the Queen. This celebrated novelist was very amiable, as well as highly endowed. The Queen's dresser was obliged to go to the country in search of health, and the author of Evelina, &c. became her successor, and was chosen by the Queen without any particular recommendation from any body. The next extract cannot fail, we think, to be read with peculiar interest,

In the same letter we are told of

"It is impossible for me to enumeratę the daily instances I receive from my royal friends; who seem unwearied in the pursuit of making me as happy as they can. I am sure you must be very sensible how thankful I am to Providence for the late wonderful escape of his Majesty from the stroke of assassination: indeed, the horror that there was a possibility that such an attempt would be made, shocked me so much at first, that I could hardly enjoy the blessing of such a preservation. The King would not suffer any body to inform the Queen of that event, till he could show himself in person to her. He returned to Windsor as soon as the Council was over. When his Majesty entered the Queen's dressing-room, he found her with the two eldest Princesses; and entering, in an animated manner, said, Here I am, safe and

well!' The Queen suspected from this saying, that some accident had happened, on which he informed her of the whole affair. The Queen stood struck and motionless for some time, till the Princesses burst into tears, in which she immediately found relief by joining with them. Joy soon succeeded this agitation of mind, on the assurance that the person was insane that had the boldness to make the attack, which took off all aggravating suspicion; and it has been the means of showing the whole kingdom, that the King has the hearts of his subjects. I must tell you a particular gracious attention to me on the occasion: Their Majesties sent immediately to my house to give orders I should not be told of it till the next morning, for fear the agitation should give me a bad night. Dowager Lady Spencer was in the house with me, and went with me to early prayers, next morning, at eight o'clock; and after chapel was over she separated herself from me, and had a long conference with the King and Queen, as they stopped to speak to her on our coming out of chapel. When we returned to breakfast, I taxed her with having robbed me of an opportunity of hearing what their Majesties said to her, by standing at such a distance. She told me, it was a secret; but she had now their permission to tell me what it was, and then informed me of the whole affair." pp. 7476.

We learn, from a subsequent letter, that their Majesties, while at Kew, distinguished the family of a Mr Smelt with the same familiar and unceremonious visits as they did that of their venerable protegée,-a circumstance which shows that she was no solitary instance of their kindness and condescension, but that these, and many other qualities equally amiable, belonged to their character. At Windsor, when the weather permitted, the evenings were devoted to the terrace. The Queen, with much consideration, as well as goodness, commanded Mrs Delany to come to the Lodge whenever it suited her convenience. She generally went at half-past seven to Miss Burney's apartment, and, when the Royal party came from the terrace, one of the Princesses, generally Princess Amelia, just four years old, came into the room, took the old lady by the hand, and led her into the drawing-room, where a chair was set for her at the Queen's left hand. To ́these interesting particulars succeeds a statement which exhibits our late venerable Sovereign in the character of a Christian, a King, and a Parent.

"I began this on Saturday, but found myself not equal to finish it, but being better in the evening I went to the Lodge, to Miss Burney's apartments; but had not been there a quarter of an hour before the King walked into the room, took me by the hand, and said, Come along, Mrs Delany,' and led me into the Queen's apartment, and placed me in the chair allotted for me, next to her Majessy, (which, however, I am indebted to my deafness for,) where I spent two hours, not knowing which gave me most delight, the harmony of the music, or that of the amiable society.

The two Princes were there.

Yesterday was the Prince of Wales's birthday, and it being Sunday, the entertainment that was to be given was put off till Monday, which was yesterday, for here I was interrupted, and am now come to Tuesday the 14th.

"The entertainment at the Castle, yesterday, was very superb indeed: there were above a hundred people of the first rank, Ministers of State, and foreigners invited At seven o'clock, to come to the Castle. and after the Drawing-room was over, and all compliments paid and received on the day, the company were conducted into the music-room, where there was a very fine concert, chiefly of Mr Handel's music, and most exquisitely performed. When that was over, which was about twelve o'clock, there was a supper prepared in St George's Hall, which, for magnificence, exceeded every thing that had been done before. The company were not all dispersed till two o'clock; and are invited again to the same entertainment on Thursday, which is the Duke of York's birth-day. The younger part of the company are in hopes of a ball." p. 93, 94.

We are sure the following instance of the Queen's attention to Mrs Delany in her sickness, if it may be påralleled cannot easily be surpassed. The most sensible and affectionate daughter could not have conducted herself towards a beloved mother either with greater judgment or delicacy. The letter containing this valuable anecdote was written by a Mr Preston.

As soon

"One little anecdote of the Queen struck me, as a stronger instance of her real tender feeling towards our dear old friend, than all her bounties or honours. as the Duchess of Portland died, Mrs Delany got into a chaise to go to her own house; the Duke followed her, begging to know what she would accept of, that belonged to his mother; Mrs Delany recollected a bird that the Duchess always fed and kept in ler own room, desired to have it, and felt towards it, as, you must suppose. In a few days she got a bad fever, and the