[CHAPTER XXII.]
Visit of William IV.—Alterations contemplated—Visit of the King and Queen—Story of the Duke of Cambridge—Alterations in the Pavilion—The Royal Family snowed up—Queen Victoria's first visit—Second visit—Third, with the royal children—Fourth, and last—The Pavilion dismantled—Sold to the Corporation of Brighton.
GEORGE the Magnificent was buried on July 16, 1830, and at the earliest opportunity his brother and successor William the Fourth visited the Pavilion (August 16), and at once began to plan alterations. The following is the account, from the Brighton Herald of August 21, of his reception:
'On Monday last, it being generally known that his Majesty would arrive at the Palace on that day, the town, at an early hour, was in full bustle and active preparation for receiving the Sovereign; and, by two o'clock, the various public bodies and institutions were assembled, and proceeded to take up their stations on the line of road by which the King would pass, as allotted to them by a Committee appointed at a public meeting, on Saturday, to conduct the various matters. By three o'clock, Brighton had poured forth its thousands of every grade, and dense masses of people flanked the road, from the Palace gates to Preston, and even beyond; while vehicles of every description, from the gay barouche of the Peer, to the humble hackney fly, formed a continuous line for nearly a mile. The manner in which the various authorities were stationed to receive his Majesty, was as follows:
'At the Palace gates,—the local Magistrates, the High Constable, and the Clergy, in their Canonicals; at St. George's Place, the body of the Commissioners and their officers; opposite St. Peter's Church, the Overseers, Directors, and Guardians; at the Elephant and Castle, the Revenue Officers; at the Hare and Hounds, the Friendly and Benefit Societies of the town; and, from the Dairy to Preston, the children of the various Charity Schools.