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as I journeyed towards them ; and indeed, by the time I arrived in the midst of them, their grandeur, nobility, antiquity, and elevation impressed my mind so forcibly, that I felt for the first time since my new situation had taken place a rushing in of ideas that had no connection with it whatever.

The roads were lined with decently dressed people, and the high street was so crowded we were obliged to drive gently and carefully, to avoid trampling the people to death.  Yet their behaviour was perfectly respectful and proper.  Nothing could possibly be better conducted than the whole of this expedition.

We all drove straight to the theatre(211) in procession.  Here, in alightingfrom the carriages, there was some difficulty, on account of the pressure of the people to see the king and queen, and princesses :  however, even then, it was still the genteelest and most decent crowd I ever saw.

Here it was that Major Price signalised that part of his character I have so strongly marked, of his being truly a gentleman.  It was his business to attend and guard the king. but he was determined to take almost equal care of some of his majesty’s subjects:  he was everybody’s equerry during the whole expedition, assisting and looking after every creature, seeing us all out of our carriages and into them, and addressing the people, when they pressed too forward, with a steadiness and authority that made them quicker in retreat than all the staves of all the constables, who were attending by dozens at the entrance of every college.

At the outward gate of the theatre, the vice-chancellor, Dr. Chapman, received their majesties.  All the professors, doctors, etc., then in Oxford, arrayed in their professional robes, attended him.—­How I wished my dear father amongst them

The vice-chancellor then conducted their majesties along the inner court, to the door of the theatre, all the rest following ; and there, waiting their arrival, stood the Duke and Duchess of Marlborough, the Marquis of Blandford, in a nobleman’s Oxford robe, and Lady Caroline and Lady Elizabeth Spencer.

After they had all paid their duties, a regular procession followed, which I should have thought very pretty, and much have liked to have seen, had I been a mere looker on; but was frequently at a loss, what to do with myself, and uncertain

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whether I ought to proceed in the suite, or stand by as a spectator ; and Miss Planta was still, if possible, more fearful.

The theatre was filled with company, all well dressed, and arranged in rows around it.  The area below them was entirely empty, so that there was not the least confusion.  The chancellor’s chair, at the head of about a dozen steps, was prepared for the king ; and just below him, to his left, a form for the queen and the princesses.

The king walked foremost from the area, conducted by the University’s vice-chancellor.  The queen followed, handed by her own vice-chamberlain.  The Princess royal followed, led by the king’s aide-de-camp, General Harcourt; and Princess Augusta, leaning on Major Price.  Princess Elizabeth walked alone, no other servant of the king being present, and no rank authorising such a conduct, without office.