| Citation |
BC.768.141
5-12 Dec 1768:4713-4732 (1/52)
[London, 6 columns devoted to the progress of the King of
Denmark in England, including the following excerpts:] . . .
His Danish Majesty and the Countess Dowager of Effingham
opened the ball at the Prussian ambassador's house last
Friday evening.
Saturday evening his Danish Majesty, after dining with
the Portuguese Ambassador, went to the Opera House, and from
thence to Mrs. Cornelys's assembly room in Soho-Square.
Sept. 13. On Saturday last, after the Opera, the King of
Denmark, attended by the principal of the Noblemen who
compose his suite, went to take a view of Mrs. Cornely's
house in Soho-Square. Mrs. Cornelys had put the apartments
in all the possible order that a few hours notice would
admit of, and the whole were splendidly illuminated with
upwards of two thousand wax lights. The moment the King
entered the grand room, the music (consisting of French
horns, clarinets, bassoons, &c.) began playing; and his
Majesty seemed very much pleased at the agreeable manner of
his reception, and at finding the house so magnificently
spacious and superb. Dancing was proposed; the King opened
the ball with the Duchess of Ancaster and danced the second
minuet with the Countess of Harrington: The minuets were
succeeded by English country dances, and those by the French
cotillons. The illustrious company then withdrew to tea,
&c. Mrs. Cornelys had illuminated the room set apart for
this purpose in a more than common manner, and had laid out
a table therein with a variety of elegant refreshments,
distributed in a noble service of plate and Dresden china,
the whole (which was totally unexpected) being so
judiciously arranged, and so happily disposed, as to produce
a pleasing effect, and procure Mrs. Cornelys repeated
encomiums from the nobility, on her particular taste for
elegance, and her laudable assiduity to do her duty to the
royal visitor. The King and all the company retired about
one; his Majesty having first graciously condescended to do
Mrs. Cornelys the honour of personally assuring her of his
most perfect satisfaction at his night's entertainment.
Among the persons of high rank, who were present on this
occasion, were, . . . [12 lines]
On Sunday his Danish Majesty, . . . [2 lines] arrived at
Hampton-Court Palace . . . [14 lines, admired portraits]
The Right Hon. Lady Fitzroy, and several other persons of
distinctions were introduced to his Majesty in the Presence
chamber, who received them with the utmost politeness: the
guard appeared under arms in their new cloaths, and saluted
his Majesty with beat of drums, &c. . .
[At Oxford, Sept 14. . . toured the University,]
and proceeded to the Theatre, where, in full convocation,
the King had the honorary degree of Doctor in civil law
conferred upon him. . . The King entered the Theatre amidst
the acclamations of a numerous and genteel company, and
appeared highly pleased with the reception, very politely
bowing as he advanced. After leaving the Theatre, his
Majesty was conducted to Christ Church. . .
After the King of Denmark had accepted the degree of a
Doctor of the Civil Laws at Oxford, his majesty desired not
to put off his scarlet habit (as is usual on leaving the
Theatre) saying, "He hoped they would not so soon deprive
him of his honours;" . . .
Oxford, Sept 17. On Thursday morning the King of Denmark
left Oxford, in order to visit the Earl of Litchfield our
Chancellor, and afterwards dined with his Grace the Duke of
Marlborough at Blenheim palace. . . [9 lines] Upon the
King's arrival at Blenheim, he alighted in the grand area,
and at entering the hall, the French horns, clarinets, &c,
of his Grace's band, saluted his Majesty from the galleries.
. .
We have it from good authority, that the behaviour of the
people of England to the King of Denmark, in crouding so
rudely round him on the first night he went to Ranelagh, at
St. James's, and other places, gave him then but a very
unfavourable idea of the manners and carriage of the English
in general, but that the great respect shewn to his Majesty
by the higher ranks of the people since, and a farther
knowledge of the genius of the lower (whose characteristic
he finds to be curiosity, and whose seeming rudeness, the
effect of that darling passion, and not a disregard to his
Majesty,) has entirely change the sentiments of the King. .
.
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