Very agreeable news!

THANKSGIVING SERVICE; AT NUNEHAM.

I could not, however, bear to give Up going to church, for I knew that the thanksgiving was to be that morning for the preservation of the king from assassination :  and to let pique at this unaccountable behaviour, after all the apologies just passed, prevent my hearing and joining in a prayer of such a nature, in which now I am peculiarly interested, would have been ill worth the while.  I therefore — proposed to Miss Planta that we should go by ourselves, and desire one of the servants to show us at once into Mr. Hagget’s pew:  for that we had already heard offered to the use of Miss Vernons, as Lord Harcourt’s was reserved for their majesties.  She agreed; and we proceeded, following such stragglers as 385

shewed us our way :  the servant to whom we applied having soon deserted us.

The church is in a very beautiful situation in the park, and built in the form of a Grecian temple.  I admired it very much for its plainness and elegance.  When we got to it, the very first step we took in it shewed us the Miss Vernons, very composedly seated in a large pew at the entrance.  I now led the way, and took a place next to Miss Vernons, as much without apology as without invitation.

Mr. Hagget both read and preached.  I was a good deal touched by the occasional thanksgiving, chiefly from knowing how much it must affect the queen and the princesses.  Cause enough, indeed, is there for thanksgiving and rejoicing the safety of so mild and exemplary a sovereign.

When the service was over, and the royal family were gone, I thought it but right, in such a place, to subdue my proud feelings so far as to say to the Miss Vernons, I hoped we had not disturbed them.

I was very glad I took this little step down, for Miss Vernon, colouring, apologised for not waiting for us, which she said was owing to the fear of not getting into the chapel before the royal family.  And then she asked if we should like to look at the altar-piece, which was the work of Mr. Mason.

Royal visit to Oxford:  Reception by the University.

And now for the Oxford expedition.

How many carriages there were, and how they were arranged, I observed not sufficiently to recollect; but the party consisted of their majesties, the Princesses Royal, Augusta, and Elizabeth, the Duchess of Ancaster, Lord and Lady Harcourt, Lady Charlotte Bertie, and the two Miss Vernons.  These last ladies are daughters of the late Lord Vernon, and sisters of Lady Harcourt.

General Harcourt, Colonel Fairly, and Major Price and Mr. Hagget, with Miss Planta and myself, completed the group.  Miss Planta and I, of course, as the only undignified persons, brought up the rear.  We were in a chaise of Lord Harcourt.

The city of Oxford afforded us a very noble view on the road, and its spires, towers, and domes soon made me forget all the little objects of minor spleen that had been crossing me