in the body of the hall, the junior knights nearest | crowd of people, who were admitted by his to the royal table, with the dukes of Newcastle majesty's great goodness and consideration, that and Rutland. At his majesty's table were seated every heart might partake of the general joy. their royal highnesses the dukes of Cumberland and York, prince William, and the young princes. On the right side the armoury-room, in three state rooms, were three tables; the first for the foreign ministers, second for the noblemen and their ladies, and the third for the maids of honour, &c., covered and served with every thing that the most luxurious fancy could in In the gallery opposite his majesty's table there was a table for the queen, the princess dowager of Wales, princess Augusta, the two young princesses, and prince Ernest of Meck-vent or suggest. lenburg, who were attended by the lords and ladies in waiting. His majesty's table was served, as usual, by the gentlemen pensioners, with three courses of twenty covers each. Between the third course and the desert, his majesty conferred the honour of knighthood on Robert Goodyere, esq., lieutenant of the band of pensioners. Nothing could be more magnificent, or more striking, than the appearance in the hall at this time, which, besides the usual company, was graced by the royal family. His majesty surpassed every thing that can be said or described; nor were their royal highnesses the dukes of Cumberland and York, or prince William, less noble. At every health that was drank, the drums and trumpets, who were placed at the lower end of the hall, flourished; and between the serving the courses, they sounded a most noble new march, composed for that purpose by Mr. Serjeant Snow. Dinner being ended, his majesty proceeded, as usual, and retired into the royal apartment. And thus ended this most noble installation, which far surpassed, in point of grandeur, the expectation of every individual who was present; the company was very numerous, a most elegant and roomy gallery being erected opposite the knights table for the nobility and gentry. Every thing was conducted with the greatest order and propriety, notwithstanding the great The ball in the evening, which was the most splendid ever beheld in England, was kept in the grand armoury, next to St. George's-hall. Their majesties came in about eight o'clock, when the minuets began by his royal highness the duke of York and princess Augusta. Several minuets were afterwards danced by the nobility, and at ten o'clock the country dances began. After one dance was gone down, their majesties retired, and at eleven o'clock the dances ended, when the company went to supper in the three state rooms where they had dined. The tables were again covered with the utmost magnificence and taste, and were open to every person who came properly dressed. Upon the whole, nothing could be more splendid or more king-like than this meeting: Ceres and Pomona danced hand in hand, spreading their kindest influence; every heart rejoiced with their truly great and generous monarch; for the greatest plenty, even to profusion, reigned through the whole castle, and the noble hall and apartments of St. George were once again rejoiced with a truly English king and his court. His majesty's cap was set with jewels to a prodigious value, and his robes were looped up with diamonds. The queen's stomacher, made for this occasion, was said to be worth 50,000l., a single jewel in it being valued at 10,000l. It is supposed the expense of the installation amounted to 25,000l.; but it is customary for | I'll tell you, Winchelsea,-I know his worth, the crown to defray the whole of it, when any of the royal family are installed. and I treat him accordingly. That's the right way, Winchelsea;" and then trotted off to somebody else. These are only mentioned as instances, to those who did not approach the king, of his free familiar conversation. He kept every one in good humour, and always spared them the trouble of making long ceremonious answers. On these fetes he introduced a new court costume, of garter blue and gold, with scarlet waistcoats, which was worn by most noblemen who were not in uniforms. It looked some time before this, he had taken a great liking to the Royal Horse Guards Blue, and had them constantly at Windsor. On common occasions it was his fancy to wear a captain's uniform of that regiment, and he appointed for himself a troop and captaincy in it. He made them a present, in the Upper Castle-yard, of a superb pair of silver kettle-drums, and prefaced his gift with a short address to them, saying, among other things, "These are silver kettle-drums for you. I give them with pleasure. I know you will value them, and take proper care of them. I am sure of that!" The king sat his horse on this occasion so well, as to excite the strong approbation of a celebrated judge of equestrian performances who was present. The queen, the princess of Wales, and the royal family, were in the choir during the ceremony of the installation, seated under two magnificent canopies erected for that purpose. After the installation, the king was in high spirits at a morning's review of foot-guards in the Little Park. The spectators were numerous. Mr. Windham, the life of a female party, was among them, remarking and explaining every thing with his usual happy quick-grand, but quite after the old heavy style. For ness. "This is all very fine; I came down on purpose to see it. It is better than the formai shows were at Versailles." The king turning round suddenly to him, "Ah! Windham, you are there: I hope you like it all.". At a review of horse-guards next morning in the Great Park, a grand line of royal and other carriages was formed, and behind them an exhibition was made of all the valuable horses of his majesty from their different stables; some drawing handsome royal carriages, with saddle-horses and chargers-English, German, and Oriental. They made a fine show. The king divided his spare moments during the review between the queen and the princess of Wales. He called his consort's notice to the smart horsemanship of the duke of Cumberland and others. To the princess of Wales he paid peculiar attention, desiring her to stop the week out at Windsor. On her royal highness making some excuses, his majesty said, "I'll take no excuse. No, no; you must stay. I have got something for your amusement every day-every day." Turning to lord Winchelsea, the king said, "Winchelsea, Winchelsea, do you see my horse? I mounted him fresh since I came into the park, as I always do; I have had him twenty years, and he is good now. Do you know the secret? On the morning of the 25th of September, their majesties, on their return from Windsor, honoured Eton College with their presence, being attended by the lords and ladies of the court. They were waited on by the provost and fellows at the great gates of the college, and conducted into the school, where the masters were prepared to receive them, with the scholars standing in their places, to the number of 500. Their majesties passed between them to their | but he was graciously pleased at this time to chairs at the upper end of the school; and extend his bounty, by authorizing a collection being seated, the company standing behind their chairs, one of the scholars advanced from his place into the middle of the school, and addressed the king in a speech in English, which was very graciously received by his majesty. Their majesties had then the condescension to look into the long chamber, or dormitory. In the interim the scholars and masters went into the chapel, and took their places there. On their majesties coming into the chapel, a solemn piece of music was performed on the organ, accompanied with many other "instru ments. Their majesties walked the whole length of the chapel to the rails of the communion table, viewing the scholars on each side, and expressed very great satisfaction in the sight. From thence their majesties went to the hall, and to the library, where many of the young noblemen were presented to them; and the valuable collection of drawings, &c. belonging to the college, being carried into the election chamber, a room adjoining, they were pleased to spend a considerable time in examining what was most worthy of notice. On their going down from the provost's lodge into the quadrangle, the whole school was drawn up in several lines to receive their majesties, and saluted them as they went into their chaise, with a joyful cry of Vivant Rex et Regina. My lord chamberlain, by his majesty's order, left a very noble present, amounting to 230l., to be disposed of as the provost and masters of the school should think best. Particular notice has been already taken of the interest which his majesty took in the to be made throughout the kingdom for the joint benefit of the two colleges and seminaries of learning at that time established in the cities of New-York and Philadelphia; and, at the same time, he granted a royal bounty of 6001. towards so excellent a design. Whilst these interesting events were transacted in the domestic circle of his majesty, circumstances of a most important nature took place in the political world, and which had a particular reference to the establishment of a peace between the belligerent powers. The duke of Bedford set out for Paris on the 5th of September 1762, with full powers to treat, and on the 12th of the same month the duc de Ninervois arrived in England. The latter nobleman was not many hours in England, before he experienced a very striking proof of the rapacity of the English innkeepers, for, being obliged to take up his quarters for the night at Canterbury, the following very moderate bill was put into his hands on his departure in the morning: When the duke of Bedford landed at Calais, | manœuvre of making the king of Sardinia umM. Becquet de Cocove, president of the court of justice at that place, attended by all the king's officers, waited on his grace at the inn, and complimented him in the following terms: My Lord, It would betray in us a disregard to the welfare of mankind in general, and to that of the two crowns of France and England in particular, should we omit this opportunity of testifying our joy for the important commission entrusted to your grace, to put the finishing hand to the work of peace. Who could have been nominated more capable than your grace, to reconcile so many different interests, and remove so many difficulties? Yes, my lord duke, your wisdom will surmount all difficulties: the two nations of rivals you will make friends, by inspiring them with the spirit of union and concord. They have, in all ages, mutually esteemed each other: it was, perhaps, reserved for your grace to change this esteem into a happy sympathy. May we soon see you repass, my lord, with the olive-branch in your hand, going to reap the happy fruits of your wise mediation, after gaining the esteem of our master, and meriting the favour of your own sovereign. These are the wishes of our officers of justice of Calais, who beg leave to assure your grace of their most profound respect. The duke of Bedford, however, had not been many hours at Calais, before he received despatches from London by a messenger, who was sent after him, containing some limitations in his full powers. He immediately sent the messenger back with a letter, insisting upon his former instructions being restored, and in case of a refusal, declaring his resolution to return to England. The cabinet acceded to his grace's demand, but the most essential articles of the treaty were agreed upon between M. de Chaiseul and the Sardinian minister at Paris, and lord Bute and the Sardinian minister at London, without any other trouble to the duke of Bedford than giving his formal assent. The pire, gave to his ambassadors the power of decision, consequently the duke of Bedford had very little room for the exercise of his powers, until a circumstance happened which occasioned a division in the British cabinet. This was the capture of the Havannah. The news of this event arrived in England on the 29th of SepThe negociation at this time was nearly concluded, and in a few days the preliminaries would have been signed. tember. Lord Bute expressed his fears, that this acquisition would embarrass and postpone the accomplishment of peace, if the negociation, which was on the point of being finished, should on that account be opened again; and therefore he declared his wish to be, to conclude the he declared his wish to be, to conclude the peace in the same manner, and on the same terms, which had been agreed upon before the news of this event arrived; without any other mention of it, than the name of it among the places to be restored. Mr. Grenville oposed this idea. He declared his opinion to be, that if the Havannah was restored, there ought to be an equivalent given for it. And in their deliberations upon this subject, it is certain, that he insisted upon this alternative-either the entire property of Jucatan and Florida, or the islands of St. Lucia and Porto Rico. Lord Bute adhered to his first opinion. Upon which Mr. Grenville resigned his place of secretary of state on the 12th day of October, Lord Halifax immediately succeeded to his office; and Mr. Grenville went to the admiralty, by which he was removed from the cabinet. Lord Egremont, however, represented to lord Bute, in very strong terms, the necessity of an equivalent for the Havannah. Either his lordship's arguments, or lord Bute's fears, so far prevailed, as to occasion an instruction to if ever these are laid before the public, and it is hoped they will, many suspicions, which can now only be hinted, will be confirmed, or ex be sent to the duke of Bedford, to ask for of Florida was made without the least hesita tion; the French minister instantly agreed to it; which shews the superior influence of the French cabinet in this negociation. But with respect to Porto Rico, the French minister resorted to chicane and delay. It was at length agreed, to send a messenger to Madrid, with this demand.--Fourteen days were allowed for the messenger to go and return. During this period, the duke of Bedford received positive orders to sign the preliminaries. Two days after the preliminaries were signed, the messenger returned; and it was said, that Spain purchased the retention of the island. Whether the Sardinian minister at London, or at Paris, or both, were entrusted on this occasion; or whether any other persons were admitted to the same confidence, are questions for the investigation of posterity. Discoveries of this kind are seldom made, either at, or near the time of the transaction. The offers of Louis XIV. to the duke of Marlborough, were not known until the publication of De Torcy's memoirs*. Whatever were the confidential mea sures, it is certain, the duke of Bedford was not entrusted with them. However, as his grace kept a diary of all public transactions, in which he had any share; and as Mr. Grenville kept copies of all his letters on public business, Parliament met on the 25th of November, when his majesty delivered the following most gracious speech: My lords and gentlemen, I found, on my accession to the throne, these my kingdoms engaged in a bloody and expensive war. I resolved to prosecute it with the utmost vigour, determined, however, to consent to peace, upon just and honourable terms, whenever the events of war should in cline the enemy to the same pacific disposition. A negociation was accordingly begun last year, which proved ineffectual. The war became afterwards more general, by the resolution of the court of Madrid to take part with my enemy, notwithstanding my best endeavours to prevent it. This, with the unexpected attack of my natural and good ally the king of Portugal, greatly affected our commerce, multiplied the objects of our military operations, and increased our difficulties, by adding to the heavy burthens under which this country already laboured. My object still continued the same, to attain an honourable peace, by pursuing this more extensive war in the most vigorous manner. I embraced therefore an occa sion offered me, of renewing the negociation; but at the same time I exerted so effectually the strength which you had put into my hands, and have been so well served by my fleets and armies in the execution of my plans, that history cannot furnish examples of greater glory, or greater advantages acquired by the arms of this, or any other nation, in so short a period of time. My general prince Ferdinand of Brunswick, and my army in Germany, have gained immortal honour by many signal advantages obtained during the course of this campaign, over an enemy superior in numbers. The progress of the French and Spanish arms in Portugal has been stopt; and that kingdom preserved by the firmness and resolu * I am willing you should offer the duke of Marlborough four millions, should he enable me to keep Naples and Sicily for my grandson, and to preserve Dunkirk with its fortifications and harbour, and Strasburg and Landau, in the manner above explained, or even the same sum, were Sicily to be exempted out of this last article-Mem. de Torcy. T. II. p. 237. |