Zbe GTOUrt. The great event of the week has been
the celebration of the Queen's birth- day, and its drawingroorn.
The anniversary fell on Monday, and was kept privately at Claremont. Her Majesty went to Claremont on Saturday, with Prince Albert and the Royal children; and they were joined by the Dutchess of Kent and the Prince of Leiningen. The natal morning was ushered in with music—a tierenade executed at seven o'clock by the band of the Scots Fnsileer Guards; and each successive meal was graced by music. A select party of nobility and gentry had been invited to dinner. The Queen and Prince Albert returned to Buckingham Palace on Tuesday.
Thursday was fixed for the public celebration, and her Majesty held a drawingroom at St. James's Palace. The attendance was numerous, and exceedingly brilliant. Before issuing from the Royal Closet, the Queen re- ceived an address of congratulation from the Archbishop of Canterbury and the clergy. The Queen afterwards admitted various members of the Royal Family, the Grand Duke Constantine of Russia, the Hereditary Grand Duke and Dutchess of Saxe Weimar, and the Prince of Lucca. Pas- sing to the Throne-room with the Prince & wort, her Majesty received the Foreign Diplomatic and the general circles.
[In honour of the day, the Ministers and Great Officers of State gave splendid banquets to their political adherents. In the morning there was a grand inspection of the Household troops in the Tilt Yard, by Prince Albert and the Duke of Wellington. After the inspection there was a re- view of the Chelsea Pensioners, in Hyde Park. The day finished with illuminations; the club-houses, theatres, and other public places, making a brilliant display, after the most approved fashion. "God save the Queen" was sung at both the Operahouses.] On Saturday last, the Queen held a Court at Buckingham Palace; and gave audience to the Prince of Lucca.
Her Majesty, accompanied by Prince Albert, went on Wednesday to the fancy bazaar in the Regent's Park Barracks; and in the evening gave a dinner-party to the royal personages now visiting this country. On Tuesday and Thursday the Queen went to Her Majesty's Theatre.
The Queen gave a concert last night, at Buckingham Palace, to the Queen Dowager and various members of the Royal Family, the illus- trious foreigners, and many of the nobility and gentry. The music was very Various; the pieces combining the voices of Grisi, Lind, Alboni, Mario, Gar- demi, Tam burini, Staudigl, and Lablache. A sumptuous supper followed.
Prince Albert dined at Willis's Rooms on Tuesday, with the officers of his regiment, the Scots Fusileer Guards.
Prince Albert attended a grand review of the Chelsea Pensioners yes- terday, in Hyde Park. He afterwards transacted business at the Dutchy of Lancaster Office; and in the afternoon presided over a meeting of the Fine Arts Commission.
The Grand Duke Constantine arrived at Woolwich on Saturday morn- ing, in the Black Eagle, and proceeded at once to klivart's Hotel. Ms Royal Highness had an audience of the Queen on Tuesday; and has en- joyed the round of sight-seeing and theatre-going usual with royal visiters.
The Hereditary Grand Duke and Dutchess of Saxe Weimar arrived at Woolwich on Monday, in the Cyclops, on a visit to the Queen Dowager. leuritplupaIllwere conducted by her Majesty to visit Queen Victoria.
Previous page
