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that extraordinary woman was of the distinction, she soon displayed, in presence of the admiring orchestra and vocal corps of the Opera-house, by sitting down to the score, playing the whole opera through, and singing the part of Vitellia, at sight!

The prince once received a letter by the two-penny post which he is said to have kept as a curiosity. It was sent by Griesbach, the German oboe-player, with a simplicity characteristic of the man, to request payment for attendance at some private concerts. The original mode of application caused much diversion to the party addressed, and procured the money instantly. Church music his majesty did not encourage so much as might have been beneficial. If Handel had, in the preceding reign, found favour to the exclusion of other masters, and consequently to the narrowing of the public taste, in the succeeding one fashion hardly gave him a chance. Under the withering influence of neglect in the highest quarters, and suffering, too, from the introduction of the modern sacred compositions of the continent, seductive through the effects of light and shade, and the rich and varied employment of instruments, Handel was fast sinking into neglect. The enthusiasm which Germany and France now manifest for the works of this author, the public admiration which Beethoven expressed of him, and the lately published testimonies of Haydn and Mozart, have had their effect upon this country; and the ancient taste is reviving. The latest musical expense of the monarch was his private band of wind instruments: this was unequalled in Europe. The performers were picked with the greatest care by Cramer, the master; their allowance. was liberal, and their united practice diligent and punctual. The person selected to preside in this department was one who not only knows the full scope and capacity

of every instrument, but is an able harmonist, and competent to adapt a composition in its most effective manner. Not knowing whether the band exists or not under William IV., we can scarcely avoid some confusion of tenses in writing about it. We hope, however, his present majesty has too much taste to dispense with a set of performers that would be an ornament to any court in Europe.

ROYAL OBSEQUIES.

The royal mausoleum was built by George the Third, under Cardinal Wolsey's magnificent tomb-house, which reverted to the crown upon the disgrace of that magnificent minister. The present tenants of this gloomy mansion are George the Third and his Queen, the Princesses Charlotte and Amelia, and the Dukes of Kent and York, together with the infant Princes Octavius and Alfred. There are stone stands for twelve coffins in the centre of the tomb, which are reserved for sovereigns. The coffins of the other members of the royal family are deposited on shelves at each side. The entrance is in the choir of St. George's chapel, from which a subterraneous passage leads to the tomb. The first coffin of the royal founder's family (that of his daughter Princess Amelia) was deposited here on the 4th of November, 1810; the last, that of the Duke of York.

The coffin had been exhibited to the public in a room belonging to the factory, which was hung round with black. The coffin is covered on the outside with purple velvet, and lined on the inside with white satin. The nails are placed in double rows around

either side and at the head and foot, and the sides are divided into three compartments by double rows of nails. A scroll frame is placed in each of these compartments; and at the ends, and within the frame, is a handle highly burnished and gilt. The corner plates in the compartments have a coronet engraved on them, surrounded with chased palm branches, and the engraved letters G. IV. R. The lid of the coffin is similarly lined and ornamented with nails, and divided into three compartments. In the centre is fixed the plate of inscription. At the head are the royal arms, and at the foot is a shield, supported by a lion, and surrounded with a wreath of laurel. The plate, ornaments, handles, and nails, are composed of metal richly gilt.

The following is the inscription issued from the College of Arms, to be engraved on the silver plate which is soldered on the leaden coffin, and also on the plate which is to be placed on the state coffin : —

DEPOSITUM

SERFNISSIMI POTENTISSIMI ET EXCELLENTISSIMI

MONARCHE

GEORGII QUARTI

DEI GRATIA BRITANNIARUM REGIS

FIDEI DEFENSORIS

REGIS HANOVERE AC BRUNSVICI ET LUNEBURGI DUCIS

OBIT XXVI. DIE JUNII

ANNO DOMINI MDCCCXXX.

ETATIS SUE LXVIII.

REGNIQUE SUI XI.

The state coffin is larger than any that are usually made, measuring across the shoulders three feet one inch and a half. The plate, on which the "depositum"

is engraved, is of a size proportionate to that of the coffin; it is nineteen inches and a half in length, seventeen inches and a half in width at the top, and fourteen inches and a quarter at the bottom.

After the king's funeral, the Duke of Cumberland remained behind; and, when the chapel was entirely cleared, his royal highness, attended by the deputy surveyor-general, and a few workmen, descended into the royal vault. He passed from coffin to coffin, until he came to that which encloses the remains of the late Duke of York; when, suddenly turning to the deputy surveyor-general, he said, "Matthews, my poor brother York's coffin seems much more mildewed than any of its predecessors!" The velvet covering of the Duke of York's coffin is much discoloured; whilst those of George III. and his Queen, the Princess Charlotte, the Duke of Kent, and even that of the Princess Amelia, remain as fresh in appearance as when first placed within the sepulchre. Mr. Matthews explained, that, in all probability, the discoloration of the velvet was the consequence of the wood of which the coffin was formed not having been so well seasoned as the others. His royal highness made no further comment; but, laying his hand on the coffin of his late majesty, and pondering on the inscription for a moment or two, he ascended from the vault, and returned to his apartments in the Castle.

The churches throughout the metropolis were hung with black cloth, on account of the death of his majesty. The name of " The name of "our most gracious sovereign William" was substituted for that of "George" in the

church service. The latter name has been used since the accession of George I. in 1714.

The name of Adelaide is not new in the list of Queens of England. The second wife of Henry I. was Adelaide, a princess of Louvain. The mother of King Stephen, daughter of William the Conqueror, was Adela, which is, in fact, the same name.

Copy of the Letter addressed to the Managers of the
different Theatres and Vauxhall Gardens.

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"Lord Chamberlain's Office, June 26, 1830.

Sir,-In consequence of the death of our late most gracious sovereign, I am commanded by the lord chamberlain to desire that the theatre under your management be immediately closed, and continue so till after the funeral. I am, sir, your obedient servant, J. B. MASH." At a late hour the following was issued:

"Lord Chamberlain's Office, June 26, 1830.

Sir, - I am authorised by the lord chamberlain to acquaint you, that the king, taking into his beneficent consideration the very great distress which the shutting up of the theatres for any length of time would occasion. to numerous families, his majesty has been graciously pleased to command that the closing of the theatre under your management, on account of the melancholy event of the demise of our late most gracious sovereign, shall be confined to this evening, the two days of the body lying in state, and the day of the funeral, of which due notice will be given you. Your obedient servant,

"J. B. MASH."

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