uncle Tom, and our six cousins to sup at the good woman's farm. We were regaled with hot bread, butter, and fresh milk. She was in a high state of delight at the attention Papa paid her, and the praises he bestowed on her farm, her delicious fare, &c. The repast ended, she took us into her garden, and we (the children) dispersed ourselves in all directions. After a little time, I came suddenly on Papa and our hostess; she, listening with a face of mingled awe and delight, while he was enlightening her, and improving his French, on the subject of 'Marie Stuart, Reine d'Ecosse.' He delighted to dwell on the ancient alliance between the Scottish and the French nations; and it was so amusing to hear him recall the fact in his best French, and with a look full of fun and playfulness, to the woman from whom he was buying flowers or eau de cologne. "One bright morning, Papa and I sallied out before breakfast into the market,—a lively scene was that marketplace in front of St. Nicolas, crowded with the peasants from the neighbouring country in their dazzlingly white caps and gay petticoats!—and after an animated conversation with some good woman, we returned in triumph with a turkey for the dinner of the family. Alas, when it appeared on table, there was a misgiving look on old William's face, and a certain difficulty in carving it, which prepared us for the extreme toughness of the bird. It was pronounced to be a grandfather. Not all William's skill in cooking could conceal its venerable age. Aunt Annie solemnly charged us never to attempt such an important transaction as buying a turkey again; and William himself devoutly 'hoped that Master would never buy another ding dong,'-his nearest approach to correct French." The trip to Paris was also made, and "very delightful impressions I have of it" (writes the same lady). "From the time we set off in the intérieur of the diligence till we 1843.] PARIS. 329 returned, he was in such boyish spirit, entering into conversation with his fellow travellers, and determined to make use of every opportunity for practising the language. Intensely exasperated was an Anglo-Saxon who sat opposite, and had evidently nothing to say for himself in any language but his own; probably little enough in that. On arriving at Paris, we were greeted by a very officious little official, who took for granted, to our indignation, that we could not speak a word of French, and began in the most patronizing manner settling our affairs for us. We were standing by our belongings, when he cried to a porter, (pointing in our direction,)-Otez ces objets. Travelstained, dusty and tumbled as we were, there was something so peculiarly apposite in this remark, that Papa and I burst into a fit of laughter. Otez ces objets. Pretty greeting on our arrival at the capital! Papa related the story with infinite glee to our cousins. It was in vain that they assured him that objets related to the luggage, not to the travellers. The joke was far too good to be spoiled by any considerations of idiom." CHAPTER XV. (1843-1849.) Tytler waits upon Her Majesty at Windsor Castle-Letters from ScotlandMemoir of Col. Patrick Tytler-Tytler receives a pension-Impressions of society-His literary plans-His second marriage-His long illness abroad— The cold-water system-Return to England-His Death-POSTSCRIPT. IT was, I presume, in consequence of what had happened in April, that in the ensuing November Mr. Tytler was honoured with her Majesty's commands to dine at Windsor Castle. "You must not look for me to-morrow," he wrote to his sister late at night, " for the Queen has been pleased to command me to remain another day here, that I may see some of the historical curiosities, drawings, pictures, MSS., &c. which they are now arranging." Of the events of that day, to himself so memorable, he wrote down a particular account for the private gratification of the same sister, to whom he well knew how precious every detail would be; and there seems to be no sufficient reason for withholding the following extracts from a narrative of what was so good and graceful on one side,—so honourable and gratifying on the other. He relates that he went to prayers, where her Majesty and Prince Albert with all the servants of the household attended, at 9. After a delightful hour and a half spent in the Library, "Mr. brought me word that a horse with a groom would be ready for me to ride through the Park at 12, and that Mr. Murray had left a route for me on my table. At 12 it rained a little, but at half past 12 it cleared beautifully, and I went from the Library across the Quadrangle, where I found the horses waiting. I had a delightful horse 1843.] THE ROYAL FAMILY. 331 called 'Liverpool,' which carried me beautifully, and an intelligent young groom who showed me all the best points of view. I went by the Obelisk to Virginia Water, rode round it, enjoyed many noble points of view, and as I was obliged to be at the Castle again by 2 o'clock, rode rapidly there at a hard canter, Liverpool carrying me like the wind. I got to the Castle as 2 o'clock was striking." 66 He had communicated to his friend Mr. Murray his ardent desire to see the Royal children, and his wishes had found their way to her Majesty. Accordingly, soon after luncheon," (he says,) "Mr. came with a message from Mr. Murray to say I must meet him immediately to go and see the Prince of Wales and the Princess Royal, who were coming into the corridor with the Queen. Away I went, joined Mr. Murray, and got to the corridor, where we found some of the gentlemen and ladies of the Household; and after a short time, the Queen, with the two little children playing round about her, and a maid with the Princess Alice, Prince Albert, the Duke of Cambridge, the Duchess of Kent, Prince Hohenlohe, and some of the Ladies in waiting, came up to us; and her Majesty bowed most graciously, having the Prince of Wales in her hand, trotting on and looking happy and merry. When the Queen came to where I was, she stopped, and on my bowing and looking very delightedly, which I could not help doing, at the little Prince and her, she bowed, and said to the little Boy, ́ Make å bow, Sir!-When the Queen said this, the Duke of Cambridge and the rest stood still; and the little Prince walking straight up to me made a bow, smiling all the time and holding out his hand, which I immediately took, and bowing low kissed it. The Queen seemed much pleased, and smiled affectionately at the gracious way in which the little Prince. deported himself; and the Duke of Cambridge, who speaks very loud, called out, Well done! quite right, quite right!'— - It seemed to me as if both the Queen and all felt as if the young Prince was already taking the oath of homage from his subjects. "All then passed on through the corridor; and after an interval of about a quarter of an hour Prince Albert, followed by a servant bearing two boxes, and having himself a large morocco box, came up to where I was, and told me he had brought the miniatures to show me, of which he had spoken last night. Then, in the sweetest possible way, he opened his treasures and employed more than half an hour in showing me the beautiful ancient miniatures of Holbein, Oliver, Cooper, and others,-most exquisite things! embracing a series of original portraits of the Kings, Queens, Princesses, and eminent men of England, and the continent also, from the time of Henry VIIth to the reign of George IIIrd. The Prince then gave me the written catalogues, pointed out the different drawers containing many unknown miniatures, and bade me in going over them mark with a pencil on the margin of the catalogue any errors in the catalogue, and any hints as to the unknown portraits. He also asked me whether there was preserved anywhere any original portrait of Bothwell. I told him that much research had been made for some authentic portrait of Bothwell; but as yet, so far as I knew, without success. He then left me, and I continued my pleasant work. By and by, little feet came pattering up, and I saw the Princess Royal with her French Governess. I bowed to the little Lady as she passed, and she kissed her hand and bowed, trailing a little horse behind her, and having a skipping-rope in her other hand. She played about for a long time whilst I was engaged in examining the miniatures. Presently, the day overcast and a page came with another servant and proposed to carry the miniatures into an adjoining room; which they did, and placed the boxes and catalogues on the table. Here I |