| Citation |
VGW(HU.771.160
24 Oct 1771:12, 13 (1056)
London. Extract of a letter from a friend and inhabitant of
Windsor, dated July 25th; or, news extraordinary from a very
ordinary place. Happy shall I be to see Saturday night
next, for should I have till then I despair not of getting
the better of the noise and confusion which took possession
of this town last Monday, and will continue till his majesty
and the royal family leave the same. . . . [11 lines, then]
The same night, in the town hall, murder was committed on
harmony by Mr. S---, a strolling player, and a few of his
friends, by attempting to perform a concert of vocal and
instrumental musick. . . . [8 lines, then] In the evening
the bells began to ring, expecting every minute the King and
Queen, with the rest of the royal family. . . . [2/3 column
] It was past six before her majesty left the hall; the
ladies and gentlemen then dressed themselves for the ball.
The ball was held in the great guard room; and about nine
o'clock their majesties entered the room, at which it began
with a minuet, by his royal highness the Duke of Gloucester
and the Dutchess of Grafton; his royal highness also danced
the second minuet with the Dutchess of Marlborough.
Afterward the Duke of Cumberland, the Queen's two brother,
the Duke of Grafton, &c. danced with many other ladies of
quality, till near eleven, when the country dances began;
three only were called; their majesties retired, and the
company dispersed before twelve. Thus finished the day of
pomp, pageantry, and pleasure; many highly satisfied, others
palled, with the glare of the shows, and other jaded with
the fatigue of the business they had taken such pains to be
actively concerned in.
|