_Monday, Aug. 7_--This has been the first cheerful day since the
memorable and alarming attack of the 2nd of August. It was the birthday
of the little Princess Amelia: and the fondness of the whole family for
that lovely child, and her own infantine enjoyment of the honours paid
her, have revived the spirits of the whole house.
The manner of keeping the birth-days here is very simple. All the royal
family are new-dressed; so--at least so they appear--are all their
attendants. The dinners and desserts are unusually sumptuous; and some
of the principal officers of state, and a few of the ladies of the
Court, come to Windsor to make their compliments; and at night there is
a finer concert, by an addition from town of the musicians belonging to
the queen's band. If the weather is fine, all the family walk upon the
Terrace, which is crowded with people of distinction, who take that mode
of showing respect, to avoid the trouble and fatigue of attending at the
following Drawing-room.
Another method, too, which is taken to express joy and attachment upon
these occasions, is by going to the eight o'clock prayers at the royal
chapel. The congregation all assemble, after the service, in the opening
at the foot of the great stairs which the royal family descend from
their gallery, and there those who have any pretensions to notice scarce
ever fail to meet with it.
To-day, this staircase Drawing-room, as it is named by Major Price, was
very much crowded; and it was a sweet sight to me, from my windows,
to see that the royal group respectfully followed by many people of
distinction, who came on the occasion, and, at a still greater distance,
encircled by humbler, but not less loyal congratulators, had their chief
attention upon my dear, aged, venerable Mrs. Delany, who was brought in
by the king and queen, to partake with them the birth-day breakfast.
In the evening, for the first time since my arrival, I went upon the
Terrace, under the wing and protection of my dear Mrs. Delany, who
was tempted to walk there herself, in order to pay her respects on the
little princess's birth-day. She was carried in her chair to the foot
of the steps. Mrs. Delany was desirous to save herself for the royal
encounter: she therefore sat down on the first seat till the royal party
appeared in sight: we then, of course, stood up.
It was really a mighty pretty procession. The little princess, just
turned of three years old, in a robe-coat covered with fine muslin, a
dressed close cap, white gloves, and a fan, walked on alone and first,
highly delighted in the parade, and turning from side to side to see
everybody as she passed: for all the terracers stand up against the
walls, to make a clear passage for the royal family, the moment they
come in sight. Then followed the king and queen, no less delighted
themselves with the joy of their little darling. The princess royal,
leaning on Lady Elizabeth Waldegrave, followed at a little distance.
This princess, the second female in the kingdom, shews, I think, more
marked respect and humility towards the king and queen than any of the
family.
Next the Princess Augusta, holding by the Duchess of Ancaster; and next
the Princess Elizabeth, holding by Lady Charlotte Bertie. Office here
takes place of rank, which occasioned Lady Elizabeth Waldegrave, as lady
of her bedchamber, to walk with the princess royal.
Then followed the Princess Mary with Miss Goldsworthy, and the Princess
Sophia with Mademoiselle Monmoulin and Miss Planta then General Bude and
the Duke of Montagu and, lastly, Major Price, who, as equerry, always
brings up the rear, walks at a distance from the group, and keeps off
all crowd from the royal family.
On sight of Mrs. Delany, the king instantly stopped to speak to her.
The queen, of course, and the little princess, and all the rest, stood
still, in their ranks. They talked a good while with the sweet old lady;
during which time the king once or twice addressed himself to me. I
caught the queen's eye, and saw in it a little surprise, but by no means
any displeasure, to see me of the party.
The little princess went up to Mrs. Delany, of whom she is very fond,
and behaved like a little angel to her: she then, with a look of inquiry
and recollection, slowly, of her own accord, came behind Mrs. Delany
to look at me. “I am afraid,” said I, in a whisper, and stooping down,
“your royal highness does not remember me?”
What think you was her answer? An arch little smile, and a nearer
approach, with her lips pouted out to kiss me. I could not resist so
innocent an invitation, but the moment I had accepted it, I was half
afraid it might seem, in so public a place, an improper liberty:
however, there was no help for it. She then took my fan, and, having
looked at it on both sides, gravely returned it me, saying, “O! a brown
fan!”
The king and queen then bid her curtsey to Mrs. Delany which she did
most gracefully, and they all moved on; each of the princesses speaking
to Mrs. Delany as they passed, and condescending to curtsey to her
companion.