Next followed the Duke and Duchess of Marlborough ; then the Duchess of Ancaster, and Marquis of Blandford — next, Lord and Lady Harcourt, then the two Lady Spencers and Lady Charlotte Bertie, then the Miss Vernons, and then Miss Planta and a certain F. B. .

We were no sooner arranged, and the door of the theatre shut, than the king, his head covered, sat down ; the queen did the same, and then the three princesses.  All the rest, throughout the theatre, stood.

THE ROYAL FAMILY ARE MUCH AFFECTED.

The vice-chancellor then made a low obeisance to the king, and producing a written paper, began the address of the University, to thank his majesty for this second visit, and to congratulate him and the nation on his late escape from assassination.  He read it in an audible and distinct voice; and in its CODclusion, an address was suddenly made to the queen, expressive of much concern for her late distress, and the highest and most profound veneration for her amiable and exalted character.

An address, to me so unexpected, and on a subject so recent and of so near concern, in presence of the person preserved, his wife, and his children, was infinitely touching.

The queen could scarcely bear it, though she had already, I doubt not, heard it at Nuneham, as these addresses niust be first read in private, to have the answers prepared.  Nevertheless, this public tribute of loyalty to the king, and of respect to 388

herself, went gratefully to her heart, and filled her eyes with tears-which she would not, however, encourage, but smiling through them, dispersed them with her fan, with which she was repeatedly obliged to stop their Course down her cheeks.

The princesses, less guarded, the moment their father’s danger was mentioned, wept with but little control; and no wonder, for I question if there was one dry eye in the theatre.  The tribute, so just, so honourable, so elegant, paid to the exalted character of the queen, affected everybody, with joy for her escape from affliction, and with delight at the reward and the avowal of her virtues.

When the address was ended, the king took a paper from Lord Harcourt, and read his answer.  The king reads admirably; with ease, feeling, and force, and without any hesitation.  His voice is particularly full and fine.  I was very much surprised by its effect.  When he had done, he took off his hat, and bowed to the chancellor and professors, and delivered the answer to Lord Harcourt, who, walking backwards, descended the stairs, and presented it to the vice chancellor.

All this ceremony was so perfectly new to me, that I rejoiced extremely in not missing it.  Indeed I would not have given up the pleasure of seeing the queen on this occasion for any sort of sight that could have been exhibited to me.