public, it is still more incumbent that those in charge of the royal linen should abstain from doing so. The queen, much tried as she had been, was certainly carried away by the mad passions of the hour, and, whatever were her feelings as to the unfilial behaviour of her sons, might have been discreet enough at least to conceal them. It should be considered, however, that these stories came from her enemies, who were watching and exaggerating everything she did, and whose prejudices made them see every action of hers in the worst light.

The queen naturally doing her best to make friends for the king, was credited with making exertions to form a party and strengthen her faction. Sir Gilbert Elliot, an amiable man, but prejudiced in everything that concerned her, gives rather an amusing account of these efforts; though, it will be seen, there is not much harm in the matter. All her friends, he said, were canvassing like agents and candidates before an election. There was a certain important Mrs. Legge who had been absent for many years, and "the queen had got people to tell her that her absence had not effaced the impression which the pleasure of her company at court had given her; and that one of the things she thought of with pleasure was the prospect which Mrs. Legge's recovery gave of enjoying this satisfaction again. Meanwhile Mrs. Harcourt, and the Digbys and others all ply her with courtship and flatteries. The queen's speech nearly vanquished her with a blow, and she has twice put

herself in the queen's way with a bandeau of 'God save the King' in her cap."

One evening Mr. Windham and Sir Gilbert called on this lady, and while talking with her were interrupted by news that Mrs. Harcourt was below, and desired to see her only for a single minute. There was an evident confusion in our party: Mrs. Legge seemed distressed what to do with us, and not to like being caught with such rebels in such privacy. Windham and I were accordingly shoved into another room, like lovers in a play when the husband comes home unexpectedly. When Mrs. Harcourt retired, Mrs. Legge came creeping in and released us. I found Mrs. Harcourt's business was to settle Mrs. Legge's visit to St. Leonards at some time when there should be nobody else and they should have her all to themselves."

After this sad and trying episode, it was natural that touring and change of scene should be prescribed for the afflicted king. A long and extended tour followed, during which the king was attended by nearly all his family, and in a very simple and unaffected way mixed with his subjects, visited many places, and enjoyed himself thoroughly.

The little watering-place of Weymouth was selected as his place of residence, the Duke of Gloucester having a lodge there, which he lent to the king. The royal party started at seven in the morning of June 25th, and reached Lyndhurst about three. With the king and queen travelled the three elder princesses and a large

suite, Lord and Lady Courtown, the Ladies Waldegrave, Colonels Goldsworthy and Gwyn. At Lyndhurst they were received by the whole population, and according to an ancient custom two milk-white greyhounds with gold collars were presented to the king. Here they dined in full view of the crowd, the windows being thrown wide open, and afterwards walked through the village to exhibit themselves to the rustics. Next Southampton and Lymington were visited, also Salisbury, and finally Weymouth was reached, where a splendid reception awaited them. The king was delighted with the place and the sea, and the beautiful view, and indeed was always afterwards very partial to Weymouth.

CHAPTER XI.

ROYAL TOURS. ROYAL TASTES.

In this year the royal family found special gratification in the very suitable marriage of their second son, the Duke of York, who had secured the hand of the sister of the reigning King of Prussia, Princess Frederica Charlotte. It had been better had this sensible lady fallen to the lot of his elder brother, and the country would at least have been spared thirty years' scandals.

At Weymouth the king bathed regularly, to the admiration of the town, a smack following his movements with a band on board, a compliment that must have amused the queen.

Mrs. Harcourt gives a sketch of the life at Weymouth. "The king's bathing agreed beyond anything with him. The princess also looks well, but the queen looks, I think, very ill, and by all accounts has been so low and languid that nothing but real illness can account for it. She always appears to me to look worse and worse every time I have seen her for the last half-year. Her foot is bad, but she walks a little. They have no society at all but those you know of. Mr. Pitt and Lord Grenville are here, but never asked in. The party has always been

the queen, princess royal, Lady Chesterfield and General Harcourt at casino; Princess Elizabeth, Lady Mary, Lady Caroline, Colonel Gwyn at cribbage; the king, Colonel Garth, and Lord Chesterfield at piquet. Lord and Lady Courtown and Princess Augusta have hitherto played at piquet, but now I make a fourth. On Sunday, at eight, we all went to the rooms, which is, without exception, the oddest ceremony I ever saw. A very large room, two or three hundred people, none of which, except the two Lady Beauclerks and three or four men, one ever heard of. It is a circle like a drawing-room exactly, and there they stand or walk if they can for about half an hour; then go into the card room, which opens into it, and where there are two or three tables. The king and queen or princesses play, the people all walking by the door and looking in, but not coming in. The king walked about a little more; and they all went away at ten."

There is a pleasing picture of the royal family enjoying themselves at the little country theatre of Weymouth, whose interior suggests that of the Theatre Royal, Portsmouth, as depicted in "Nickleby." The Duke of York had come down to see his parents, attended by Mr. Bunbury. Mrs. Jordan was to perform: Mr. Bunbury was eager to see her, and the duke "imbibed his wishes and persuaded the royal family to go. An order was hastily sent to the manager to get ready the royal box. On the night the little house presented a brave show. The centre boxes were filled by the royal party-their Majesties, the