128 Domestic Gratulations. preceded by Sir T. Tyrwhitt, Black Rod, bearing the insignia of the Order, to the Crimson BowRoom, and conducted Prince Leopold to the Chapter, when the Regent, with the assistance of the Duke of York, invested his Serene Highness with the Garter, Ribband, and George. The Chancellor of the order in an audible voice, pronounced the usual admonition; after which, the Regent was pleased to place the blue ribbon upon his left shoulder, his Serene Highness having the Order of the Bath on his right. The Bishop of Salisbury, as Chancellor, then pronounced the other usual admonitions. His Serene Highness next kissed the Regent's hand, and having passed round the table, severally saluted the Knights Companions present, withdrew, and the Chapter concluded: the new British Knight, with his British Bride, returning to Camelford House, where they gave their first dinner party, which was honoured with the presence of their illustrious parent. His Royal Highness was received at the door by Prince Leopold, who conducted him to the drawing room, at the entrance of which he was welcomed by his affectionate daughter: the whole scene presenting a most interesting spectacle to the visitors, thus seeing the most brilliant offices and honours of royalty blended with the domestic joys of an English fire-side. A few days afterwards the happy couple paid their first visit to Covent Garden Theatre, to see Covent Garden Theatre. 129 the Jealous Wife; when they were received as usual, and lighted to the Regent's box. Her Royal Highness spoke to the managers in the most condescending and affable manner, hoped she was in time, and had not kept the audience, &c. On the Princess and Prince appearing in the front of the box, they were received with rapturous applause, which was acknowledged by the Royal Personages in the most condescending manner : and on drawing up the curtain, the whole of the company appeared, the females dressed in white, in nuptial compliment, singing God save the King, with two new and appropriate verses. On the 1st of June, a copy of the treaty of marriage, negociated for the illustrious pair, was laid before Parliament. We have already noticed its leading provisions with regard to pecuniary arrangements; and we now merely record one of the articles which, it is generally believed, was dictated, nay almost worded, by the patriotic heart of the youthful expectant bride herself, a fact which most pointedly marks the love and attachment borne to her native soil, by this Rose of our hopes, now so sadly blighted. "ART. V.-It is understood and agreed, that her Royal Highness the Princess Charlotte Augusta shall not, at any time, leave the United Kingdom, without the permission, in writing, of his Majesty, or of the Prince Regent, acting in behalf of his Majesty, K 130 Treaty of Marriage. and without her Royal Highness's own consent. And in the event of her Royal Highness being absent from this country in consequence of the permission of his Majesty, or of the Prince Regent, and of her own consent, such residence abroad shall, in no case, be protracted beyond the term approved by his Majesty or the Prince Regent, and consented to by her Royal Highness. And it shall be competent for her Royal Highness to return to this country before the expiration of such term, either in consequence of directions for that purpose, in writing, from his Majesty, or from the Prince Regent, or at her own pleasure." A short cessation took place in the public manifestations of joy, owing to a slight indisposition of her Royal Highness, during which the marked condolences of all ranks afforded to the anxious husband a pleasing portrait of British loyalty and feeling: but the general sensation was completely assuaged by a notification of her convalescence a few days after, and by her being able to pay a visit to her Royal Grandmother at Buckingham House, accompanied by her cherishing partner, a visit of which the pleasure was much enhanced by its being totally unexpected, either by the Royal Family, or by the Public, who witnessed it with heartfelt pleasure. Her happy convalescence was completed by rural airings, in all of which she was joined by her Theatrical Visit. 131 attentive consort, whose very meritorious, yet modest unassuming care and anxiety, made a powerful impression upon all ranks of both sexes; and indeed the interesting pair were already be come a marked and most judicious example to all bound by conjugal ties, or who aspired to a similar connection. The Princess was once more able to receive the various addresses which came pouring in from all parts of the empire; and on the last Tuesday in June, she ventured to the Opera, accompanied by the Prince, and Dutchess of York, never appearing in better health and spirits, and giving life and brilliancy to a most fashionable circle. The public feeling was again most strongly manifested when she appeared at Covent Garden Theatre on Saturday the 29th, to see Henry VIII. for the benefit of the Theatrical Fund: the Prince and Princess having mutually agreed to leave even the dinnerparty at the Dutchess of York's in the laudable desire of supporting that charitable institution; and also of viewing the British Melpomene for the last time-Mrs. Siddons appearing on that philanthropic occasion. The public were highly gratified by the care which her Royal Highness took to appear simply as one of the general audience, throwing back the lattice work of her box, where she and her consort sat on each side of the Dutchess of York; the Prince following the scene with the 132 Dramatic Allusions. book, and the Princess from time to time explaining it to him with the most playful, yet modest attention.* The whole was, in short, so domesticated, so completely English, that the audience felt themselves at home-felt as but one great familyand greeted the royal party with the most heartfelt cheerings, especially when any allusion in the performance bore on the scene before them; and when the prophetic compliment was paid to ANNE BULLEYN "who knows yet But from this body may proceed a gem the applause which that passage has so often elicited at the patriotic and loyal Court of ELIZABETH, was multiplied tenfold in presence of the youthful bride. On the first of July, Prince Leopold, in addition to his military rank of Field Marshal in the British service, was sworn a Privy Counsellor, and took his seat pro forma: and the succeeding evening, he and his amiable consort attended at the Opera House, expressly in honour of the Duke of Wellington, who made his first appearance there Mr. Dawe, the gentleman who was so particularly patronized by the Princess, has chosen this pleasing scene as the subject of a most elegant engraving, in which the two portraits are characteristi cally introduced. 1 |