The Royal Birthday Fetes
THE following year found Colonel Clitherow's time greatly occupied with
the treasurership of the Sons of the Clergy Corporation, and with a
visitation of their estates in various parts of the country, which he
found in such woeful condition that they would cost 'some thousands to
repair and rebuild, or their ruin was certain.' This visitation, which
took him and his party by slow stages as far as Yorkshire, probably
ac
was written from Rise Park, the seat of their cousin, Mr. Bethell,
M.P., on October 1, 1833. After an account of their journeys, and a
description of Mr. Bethell's well-kept grounds, Miss Clitherow proceeds:
'Now, from the Fens I will take you to the Forest. The cottage where
George IV. lived so much has been pulled down, except a banquetting
room, the conservatory, and a few small rooms for the gardener. Here
the preparations were made for a morning fete on the Queen's birthday
[August 13], and, as a surprise to her, the magnificent Burmese tents,
which she had never seen, were put up. I never saw anything prettier
than the whole scene, and the day was lovely. The tents the most
brilliant scarlet, ornamented with gold and silver, silver poles, and a
silvered velvet carpet, embroidered with gold and silver. The hangings,
sofas, and seats were all of Eastern splendour, and at the end was a
large glass. The company was very select, and the morning dresses
becoming and elegant. Two bands of music (Guards) played alternately. A
guard of honour and numbers of officers were present. Everybody seemed
gay and in their best fashion. The King and Queen, with about forty
guests, dined in the room, about as many more in a long, canvas room.
The tables had fruit, flowers, ornaments, confectionery, a few pyramids
of cold tongue, ham, chicken, and raised pies. Then you had handed to
you soups, fish, turtle, venison, and every sort of meat. Toasts were
given, cannon fired, and both bands united in the appropriate national
airs. Altogether it was a sort of enchantment. At seven fifteen of the
King's carriages and many private carriages took the party to the
Castle to dress for an evening assembly, where about two hundred were
asked. We were the envy of many in being allowed to go home, having had
the cream of the day. Nothing could be a greater compliment than our
being asked in the morning. We were the only untitled people. The King
had filled the Castle, Round Tower, and Cumberland Lodge, and had not a
bed to offer. So he invited us, saying: "Come at three. We dine at
four. And then go away at seven, and be home by daylight, for we cannot
give you beds."
'To his own birthday [August 21] we had the general invitation for the
evening, and the old trio went from Boston House at seven, and got back
by two. The noble Castle, so lit up, was a magnificent sight. The Queen
was quite the Queen, for it was very mixed society--too much so for
Royal presence. The good-humoured King asks everybody, and it was a
crowd! But she sat with the Royal Duchesses only, attended by her
ladies, and she was dressed much finer than her usual style. She twice
conversed with us, and when she left the room came up to us, shook each
by the hand, and was so sorry we had to go home so far.
'My brother and Mrs. Clitherow called at Windsor to take leave before
we left home for so many weeks, and after luncheon with her and the
King, she took them into her own room to see a bust of the little niece
that she nursed with such motherly affection, Princess Louise, and then
gave them two prints of herself and two of Prince George of Cambridge,
the best likeness I have seen of her. She said, "One for Miss
Clitherow, the other for you two, because you are as one." All she does
in such a gracious, pretty manner.'
In the winter the Clitherows spent three days at Brighton, dining each
day at the Pavilion. The King was remarkably well, but the Queen
unfortunately was confined to her room, and was only able to see Mrs.
Clitherow on one evening. 'Then,' Miss Clitherow adds:
'She could really enjoy her society, which in the drawing-room is
impossible. Grandees must come in your way. Lady Falkland only was with
her, which made a trio.
'I hope you and your belongings are well, and, with our united, kind
regards,
'Believe me, 'Sincerely yours, 'MARY CLITHEROW.'
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THE following year found Colonel Clitherow's time greatly occupied with the treasurership of the Sons of the Clergy Corporation, and with a visitation of their estates in various parts of the country, which he found in such woeful condition that the...