HER MAJESTY’S BIRTHDAY. — Thursday being the day appointed for celebrating the birth of our beloved Sovereign, the morning was ushered in with the usual demonstrations of loyalty and attachment. At 10 o’clock the Horse and Foot Guards were reviewed in St. James’s Park by Prince Albert. His Royal Highness arrived at the Horse Guards a few minutes past 10 o’clock, accompanied by his Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge, the Duke of Wellington, and a brilliant staff of general and field officers. The Prince wore the uniform of a field marshal, and appeared in excellent health and spirits. His Royal Highness was loudly cheered by the vast multitude which had assembled in the Park. Immediately after Prince Albert arrived the bands of the different regiments played the national anthem. The scene at this moment was one of great animation, and cannot be described with effect. The uniform of the Horse Guards is somewhat altered; instead of wearing feathers, the cap is ornamented with long flowing white horse hair, which has a very pretty appearance. The troops went through their evolutions with great precision, and we understand that Prince Albert expressed to the officers his entire satisfaction at their appearance and discipline. His Royal Highness left the ground attended by his suite, shortly after 11 o’clock, for Buckingham Palace. At one o’clock the Park and Tower guns were fired, and in the evening the club houses and her Majesty’s tradesmen illuminated. The letter carriers of the General and Penny Post Office, as usual appeared in new dresses. The Queen held a drawing-room at St. James’s Palace on Thursday, and being the celebration of her Majesty’s birthday it was more than unusually brilliantly attended. Her Majesty and Prince Albert, attended by the principal members of the Court, left Buckingham Palace before two o’clock for St. James’s. The royal cavalcade was escorted by a detachment of the Horse Guards. Her Majesty and her illustrious Consort were loudly cheered as they passed through the Park. The different branches of the Royal Family, Foreign Ambassadors, Cabinet Ministers, Great Officers of the Household, and those having the privilege of the entrée, arrived in full state shortly after one o’clock. The fineness of the day attracted a great crowd, who appeared much delighted with the gorgeous spectacle. The Court will leave Buckingham Palace for Claremont on Saturday, there to remain till the Derby day at Epsom, when her Majesty, accompanied by Prince Albert and the whole of the Court, with numerous royal and distinguished visitors, will honour the Downs with their presence. The anniversary of her Majesty’s birth, which is Tuesday, the 24th instant, will be kept at Claremont, upon which auspicious occasion a large party, consisting of many of the illustrious members of the royal family. several of her Majesty’s noble and distinguished friends, and the members of the Court, will assemble to celebrate the day.
Her Majesty enjoys her accustomed good health, and, with the Prince and the Royal infants, has taken her usual airings during the week.
The ceremony of laying the first stone of the Victoria Tower will now, it is said, take place in August, and it being the intended Royal entrance to the new House of Peers, if her Majesty should not perform the ceremony, Prince Albert will act for the Queen on the occasion.
It is confidently expected that her Majesty and Prince Albert will honour the Spitalfields ball in the splendid costume of the fancy dress ball, which example will be followed, no doubt, by the greater portion of the company.
The Queen has been graciously pleased to contribute ten guineas towards the funds now raising for the erection of a new organ in Dedham Church.
The Queen Dowager has forwarded to Mr. Erasmus Pocock 145£ to be distributed among the local charities, &c., at Brighton.
His Royal Highness Prince Albert, as Lord Warden, has appointed to hold his first Court of Appeal for the Duchy of Cornwall this day (the 21st instant). His Royal Highness will be assisted on the occasion by the Lord Chancellor, Lord Brougham, and Mr. Baron Parke. The court sits as early as eight in the morning.
The Duke Bernard and the Duchess of Saxe Weimar, and Prince Edward and the Princesses of Saxe Weimar attended divine service on Sunday morning in the Royal German Chapel. The Rev. Dr. Kuper officiated.
Lord Adolphus Fitzclarence is occupying the Earl of Errol’s apartments at St. James’s Palace, during the repair of his house in the Ambassador’s court.
The Sheik of the Druses has left Mivart’s hotel for Woolwich, in order to be instructed in the artillery practice observed in the British service.
Lord Emlyn, who is about to marry the Hon. Miss Cavendish, Maid of Honour to the Queen, is in his twenty-fifth year, and is nephew to the Duchess of Buccleuch and the Countess of Harewood. Miss Cavendish is second cousin to the Duke of Devonshire.
A monument is about to be erected to the memory of Rear Admiral D’Urville, in Paris; and the Geographical Society have opened subscriptions for the purpose.
The repairs in St. George’s Chapel, Windsor, have commenced, and will be finished in the ensuing summer. The rich stained glass of the great western window, which has not been repaired for the last 70 years, is intrusted for restoration to Mr. Willement, and will cost alone an outlay of 2000£ or 3000£.
His Royal Highness Prince Albert visited the Suffolk-street Gallery last week, and purchased a picture of Mr. J. W. Allen’s. So judicious a partiality for the works of this truly English landscape painter is an excellent compliment to British artists.
Prince Albert’s appointment as Colonel of the Fusilier Guards is worth to his Royal Highness 2000£ a year.
The Master of the Household, the Hon. C.A. Murray, on Wednesday, ordered a suit of apartments at Buckingham Palace to be prepared for the reception of several illustrious foreigners, who are expected to arrive on Monday or Tuesday next, on a visit to her Majesty, who will come to town express from Claremont to receive her Royal visitors.
The Lord Lieutenant of Ireland and the Countess de Grey and suite left St. James’s-square, on Wednesday afternoon, for Wrest Park, Bedfordshire, hence they proceed to Liverpool, where they embark on board a government post-office steamer this (Saturday) evening for Kingstown. Mr. Arthur Magenis, his lordship’s private secretary, left town for Dublin Castle on Thursday.
In the list of the guests at her Majesty’s fancy ball, which was given by the court newsman on Friday se’nnight, it was stated that the various members of the Fitzclarence family were present. This was not the case; for although honoured by her Majesty’s command, the invitation was gratefully declined.
Mr. Lister, of Newcastle, had the honour to sell to her Majesty, a few days ago, a remarkably fine piece of plate, ornamented with rubies, pearls, and turquoise. Her Majesty was graciously pleased to express her approbation of the plate. Prince Albert also honoured Mr. Lister by purchasing a very fine undoubted sword of the time of Edward III.; also one of the period of Henry V.; besides other artirles of value.
The Court Journal announces that the Duchess of Sutherland intends giving a masque, in which the splendid pageant of Thurs. day week will once more figure in all its fairy enchantment. If, as we hope, her Grace should fulfil her hospitable intention, the scenic effect will not, we are sure, lose any of its attractions. It was also stated, that it is the intention of his Grace the Duke of Buccleuch to give a fancy dress ball on a scale of extraordinary magnificence. All this looks well for trade.
The corporation of the Trinity House have an entertainment on the 23rd inst., when the Duke of Wellington, Sir R. Peel, &c., will honour the banquet by their presence.
By Dr. Reid’s new plan for ventilating the House of Commons, a porous hair carpet will be required for the floor; to provide materials for which Mr. Muntz has, in the most handsome manner, offered to shave off his beard and whiskers. This is true magnanimity—Muntz is a noble fellow! and the lasting gratitude of the House is due to him and his hairs for ever.— Punch.
The Illustrated London News, London, England, Week Ending May 21, 1842
