DOI issue:
July to December, 1844
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.16520#0178
PUNCH, OR THE LONDON CHARIVARI.
171
perhaps proceeding to high words, for she was determined that if
she heard of any tiling of the sort, Sir Robert must not stop one
moment at the Castle. Sir Robert Peel promised to be on his best
behaviour ; and with the words, " Not a syllable about Tahiti," her
Majesty bounded up the great staircase to have another look out
of the top window for her illustrious visitor.
At length the cavalcade hove in sight, and the Queen, who was
the first to catch a glimpse of it, pulled every bell-rope that she went
by, on her way to the grand vestibule. This presence of mind on
the part of the Queen had set the entire household agog, and they
ail came running towards the foot of the grand staircase, so that a
grand tableau was got up in a moment, and Louis-Philippe had an
opportunity of seeing the " whole strength of the company" drawn
up to greet him on his arrival.
When the King really drove up, her Majesty could not restrain
herself from rushing out to the door of the royal carriage, and the
affectionate words, " Pray go in, you '11 catch cold," were the first
that were uttered by Louis-Philippe on seeing his hostess without
a bonnet—not even a crown—standing in a thorough draught to
welcome him. Prince Albert could not refrain from adding,
"I think you're imprudent, my dear;" but there was no time
for parley or remonstrance, and in a few seconds they were all iu
the vestibule kissing each other in all directions The Duchess of
Kent affectionately clutched in her arms the Due de Mont-
pensier ; and after Louis-Philippe aud the Queen had had a
good hug, the King of the French gallantly kissed the Duchess
of Kent.
At length they all started up stairs, and the King of the French
was shown to his room, with a request that he would ring for any-
thing he wanted. Dinner wound up the proceedings of the day ;
and on Wednesday the King ran about the slopes with all the
activity of a stripling, and the rest of the day was passed in looking
about the Castle.
Thursday was fixed for trying the char-a-banc, which proved a
dead failure. It jolted awfully, and the number of seats in it pre-
vented that snug gossip with her illustrious visitor, upon which her
Majesty had calculated. It is a sort of " Hampton Court Pleasure
Van," with the seats placed crossways instead of longways, and
Louis-Philippe saying, " Ah ! I see you don't like it," playfully
threatened to take it away again. If it is used again, it will only be
in consequence of this banter : and in order to persuade the King
of the French that her Majesty is not displeased with his present.
Friday had been the day fixed for investing Louis-Philippe
with the Garter; and the King, having put on a pair of knee-
breeches, took particular care of his left leg, to keep the stocking
clean for the interesting ceremony. His Majesty looked exceedingly
well in shorts, and appeared extremely proud of his calves, which he
occasionally looked down upon with evident satisfaction.
The Chapter having been summoned for half-past two, the Knights
arrived, and Garter called them over in the following order.
Garter. Rutland.—Answer. Here am I.
Garter. Wellington.—Answer. Eyes right. Attention. (^4 laugh.)
The others were called over in their order, and answered to
their names. After a short delay, Louis-Philippe was intro-
duced ; and having been informed that he was elected a Knight
of the Garter, he raised his left leg in the air, resting his toe on
the edge of the table. His stocking was then drawn well up, and
her Majesty, turning her head a little on one side, Prince Albert
and the Duke of Cambridge secured the stocking by the garter,
which they were about to buckle rather too tightly, when a slight
exclamation burst from the lips of the illustrious monarch. " Too
tight ?" inquiringly observed the Duke of Cambridge. " Un
j'tu," replied Louis-Philippe ; and the garter was arranged one
hole looser than it had been at first buckled. The riband was
then produced, and the Queen was proceeding to place it over the
right shoulder with a complimentary speech, when the Duke of
Cambridge loudly ejaculated " Over the left! " to the utter conster-
nation of all present. Black Rod relieved them from embarrassment
by observing that it was usual to place the riband over the left
shoulder, and the Duke of Cambridge exclaiming very loudly,
"That's what I meant," the error of her Majesty,in putting it over
the right, was adjusted.
After the ceremony, Louis-Phiuppk ran to his apartments to get
ready for a drive, and soon made hia appearance in an enormous
Mackintosh, which he had thrown on over his garter paraphernalia,
in which he would be compelled to appear again at the evening
banquet.
Windsor was in a state of commotion during the whole day, the
Castle being literally besieged, and every one who came out in regi-
mentals or livery being eagerly followed by the multitude. To cauae
a diversion, a few beefeaters were turned out into the quadrangle, to
allay the appetite of the sight-seers. The beefeaters were eagerly
set upon, and seemed in danger of being swamped by the curiosit]
of the people, when a lot of Gentlemen-at-Arms were thrust out jX
a side door, and the populace were thus drawn off from the unfortu-
nate beefeaters, who escaped into their lodging fastnesses. Thi
Gentlemen-at-Arms, being proud of their regimentals, rather likod
being pursued ; but ultimately the public got tired out, particularly
when it was discovered that the Gentlemen-at-Arms were onlj
dressed up to look like deputy-lieutenants, but being, in fact, a lot ot
nobodies.
In a short time a glass of wine on a waiter was seen to issue from
one of the side doors, carried by a servant in the royal livery, and
an immense rush was made towards the place to which it was being
taken ; but the servant having entered another door, the wine did
not allay the thirst of the populace for information.
At last the carriages were seen to draw up at the principal en-
trance, but nobody could get near enough to see who got into them,
aud nobody could guess which direction the carriages would take;
so that, when they started, the populace ran to all points of the
compass, with a singular difference of opinion as to which way would
be the right one for lighting on the royal cortege. Eventually the
carriages passed out where no one was expecting to see them, and a
lot of loyalty, which had rushed suddenly away from the railings
where nothing was to be seen, turned desperately round a corner,
screaming (whilst several hundred yards from the royal party) a
welcome, which the exertion of running, and the immense distance,
rendered utterly inaudible to its objects.
Wh-ile we were returning, puffing, blowing, coughing, and wheez-
ing, from our fruitless helter-skelter into the Long Walk, we met
two gentlemen with umbrellas under their arms One wore a
blue surtout, the other a black long coat, and both were engage,i
in quiet conversation ; the gentleman in the black coat making a
walking-stick of his umbrella, the individual in blue holding his
parapluie under his left arm, and resting his right hand on about the
centre of it. Our practised eye caugtit the familiar countenance of
Sir Robert Peel, and we recognised in his companion no other
than Guizot. They turned off from the Long Walk towards the left,
and their course was checked for a moment by a stile, when Sir
Robert leading the way, aud Guizot following close after, they
both stepped over it, and it occurred to us that the ramble in the
course of which they had easily and pleasantly passed over the
same stile, would do more towards enabling them to get over the
Tahiti and other questions, than all the diplomacy that could ever
pass between them.
PUNCH'S THEATRE.
eally desirous that the Kino of the
French should witness a Shak-
sperian play during his visit to Eng-
land, her Majesty commanded King
John at Sadler's Wells, the only
house at present open for the tragic
drama. Louis-Philippe, like our
own beloved Majesty, has a passion-
ate fondness for the theatre ; and
like her Majesty, loses no opportu-
nity of lavishing favovirs upon its
professors, actors as well as authors
On Saturday last, the Queen, the
King of the French, Prince
Albert, and a select party visited
'-^Sadler's Wells,—though not in
state. The distinguished visitors
were received at the door by Messrs. Phelps and Warner (dressed
in court suits,) who, carrying superb silver candlesticks, lighted them
to the royal box; which was fitted up in the most tasteful manner ;
the arms of England and France being very happily blended in
various-coloured silk velvet.
6ro<i tane the Queen was sung, and was immediately followed by the
Parisienne. The play—King John—was immediately begun ; and
throughout its performance both their Majesties evinced their admi-
ration by cordially applauding the stern and powerful King John of
Mr. Phelps, and the majestic sorrows of Mrs. Warner's Constance.
On the conclusion of the play, the royal party were again attended
by Messrs. Phelps and Warner. Before quitting the box, thp
171
perhaps proceeding to high words, for she was determined that if
she heard of any tiling of the sort, Sir Robert must not stop one
moment at the Castle. Sir Robert Peel promised to be on his best
behaviour ; and with the words, " Not a syllable about Tahiti," her
Majesty bounded up the great staircase to have another look out
of the top window for her illustrious visitor.
At length the cavalcade hove in sight, and the Queen, who was
the first to catch a glimpse of it, pulled every bell-rope that she went
by, on her way to the grand vestibule. This presence of mind on
the part of the Queen had set the entire household agog, and they
ail came running towards the foot of the grand staircase, so that a
grand tableau was got up in a moment, and Louis-Philippe had an
opportunity of seeing the " whole strength of the company" drawn
up to greet him on his arrival.
When the King really drove up, her Majesty could not restrain
herself from rushing out to the door of the royal carriage, and the
affectionate words, " Pray go in, you '11 catch cold," were the first
that were uttered by Louis-Philippe on seeing his hostess without
a bonnet—not even a crown—standing in a thorough draught to
welcome him. Prince Albert could not refrain from adding,
"I think you're imprudent, my dear;" but there was no time
for parley or remonstrance, and in a few seconds they were all iu
the vestibule kissing each other in all directions The Duchess of
Kent affectionately clutched in her arms the Due de Mont-
pensier ; and after Louis-Philippe aud the Queen had had a
good hug, the King of the French gallantly kissed the Duchess
of Kent.
At length they all started up stairs, and the King of the French
was shown to his room, with a request that he would ring for any-
thing he wanted. Dinner wound up the proceedings of the day ;
and on Wednesday the King ran about the slopes with all the
activity of a stripling, and the rest of the day was passed in looking
about the Castle.
Thursday was fixed for trying the char-a-banc, which proved a
dead failure. It jolted awfully, and the number of seats in it pre-
vented that snug gossip with her illustrious visitor, upon which her
Majesty had calculated. It is a sort of " Hampton Court Pleasure
Van," with the seats placed crossways instead of longways, and
Louis-Philippe saying, " Ah ! I see you don't like it," playfully
threatened to take it away again. If it is used again, it will only be
in consequence of this banter : and in order to persuade the King
of the French that her Majesty is not displeased with his present.
Friday had been the day fixed for investing Louis-Philippe
with the Garter; and the King, having put on a pair of knee-
breeches, took particular care of his left leg, to keep the stocking
clean for the interesting ceremony. His Majesty looked exceedingly
well in shorts, and appeared extremely proud of his calves, which he
occasionally looked down upon with evident satisfaction.
The Chapter having been summoned for half-past two, the Knights
arrived, and Garter called them over in the following order.
Garter. Rutland.—Answer. Here am I.
Garter. Wellington.—Answer. Eyes right. Attention. (^4 laugh.)
The others were called over in their order, and answered to
their names. After a short delay, Louis-Philippe was intro-
duced ; and having been informed that he was elected a Knight
of the Garter, he raised his left leg in the air, resting his toe on
the edge of the table. His stocking was then drawn well up, and
her Majesty, turning her head a little on one side, Prince Albert
and the Duke of Cambridge secured the stocking by the garter,
which they were about to buckle rather too tightly, when a slight
exclamation burst from the lips of the illustrious monarch. " Too
tight ?" inquiringly observed the Duke of Cambridge. " Un
j'tu," replied Louis-Philippe ; and the garter was arranged one
hole looser than it had been at first buckled. The riband was
then produced, and the Queen was proceeding to place it over the
right shoulder with a complimentary speech, when the Duke of
Cambridge loudly ejaculated " Over the left! " to the utter conster-
nation of all present. Black Rod relieved them from embarrassment
by observing that it was usual to place the riband over the left
shoulder, and the Duke of Cambridge exclaiming very loudly,
"That's what I meant," the error of her Majesty,in putting it over
the right, was adjusted.
After the ceremony, Louis-Phiuppk ran to his apartments to get
ready for a drive, and soon made hia appearance in an enormous
Mackintosh, which he had thrown on over his garter paraphernalia,
in which he would be compelled to appear again at the evening
banquet.
Windsor was in a state of commotion during the whole day, the
Castle being literally besieged, and every one who came out in regi-
mentals or livery being eagerly followed by the multitude. To cauae
a diversion, a few beefeaters were turned out into the quadrangle, to
allay the appetite of the sight-seers. The beefeaters were eagerly
set upon, and seemed in danger of being swamped by the curiosit]
of the people, when a lot of Gentlemen-at-Arms were thrust out jX
a side door, and the populace were thus drawn off from the unfortu-
nate beefeaters, who escaped into their lodging fastnesses. Thi
Gentlemen-at-Arms, being proud of their regimentals, rather likod
being pursued ; but ultimately the public got tired out, particularly
when it was discovered that the Gentlemen-at-Arms were onlj
dressed up to look like deputy-lieutenants, but being, in fact, a lot ot
nobodies.
In a short time a glass of wine on a waiter was seen to issue from
one of the side doors, carried by a servant in the royal livery, and
an immense rush was made towards the place to which it was being
taken ; but the servant having entered another door, the wine did
not allay the thirst of the populace for information.
At last the carriages were seen to draw up at the principal en-
trance, but nobody could get near enough to see who got into them,
aud nobody could guess which direction the carriages would take;
so that, when they started, the populace ran to all points of the
compass, with a singular difference of opinion as to which way would
be the right one for lighting on the royal cortege. Eventually the
carriages passed out where no one was expecting to see them, and a
lot of loyalty, which had rushed suddenly away from the railings
where nothing was to be seen, turned desperately round a corner,
screaming (whilst several hundred yards from the royal party) a
welcome, which the exertion of running, and the immense distance,
rendered utterly inaudible to its objects.
Wh-ile we were returning, puffing, blowing, coughing, and wheez-
ing, from our fruitless helter-skelter into the Long Walk, we met
two gentlemen with umbrellas under their arms One wore a
blue surtout, the other a black long coat, and both were engage,i
in quiet conversation ; the gentleman in the black coat making a
walking-stick of his umbrella, the individual in blue holding his
parapluie under his left arm, and resting his right hand on about the
centre of it. Our practised eye caugtit the familiar countenance of
Sir Robert Peel, and we recognised in his companion no other
than Guizot. They turned off from the Long Walk towards the left,
and their course was checked for a moment by a stile, when Sir
Robert leading the way, aud Guizot following close after, they
both stepped over it, and it occurred to us that the ramble in the
course of which they had easily and pleasantly passed over the
same stile, would do more towards enabling them to get over the
Tahiti and other questions, than all the diplomacy that could ever
pass between them.
PUNCH'S THEATRE.
eally desirous that the Kino of the
French should witness a Shak-
sperian play during his visit to Eng-
land, her Majesty commanded King
John at Sadler's Wells, the only
house at present open for the tragic
drama. Louis-Philippe, like our
own beloved Majesty, has a passion-
ate fondness for the theatre ; and
like her Majesty, loses no opportu-
nity of lavishing favovirs upon its
professors, actors as well as authors
On Saturday last, the Queen, the
King of the French, Prince
Albert, and a select party visited
'-^Sadler's Wells,—though not in
state. The distinguished visitors
were received at the door by Messrs. Phelps and Warner (dressed
in court suits,) who, carrying superb silver candlesticks, lighted them
to the royal box; which was fitted up in the most tasteful manner ;
the arms of England and France being very happily blended in
various-coloured silk velvet.
6ro<i tane the Queen was sung, and was immediately followed by the
Parisienne. The play—King John—was immediately begun ; and
throughout its performance both their Majesties evinced their admi-
ration by cordially applauding the stern and powerful King John of
Mr. Phelps, and the majestic sorrows of Mrs. Warner's Constance.
On the conclusion of the play, the royal party were again attended
by Messrs. Phelps and Warner. Before quitting the box, thp