On the death of Lord Grenville, the Duke of Wellington was made Chancellor of the University of Oxford. He had previously received the distinction of having been made (in absentiâ) a D.C.L. of the University in 1814, when this honour was also bestowed on the Emperor of Russia, the King of Prussia, and Marshal Blücher. At his installation on June 10th he wore his Chancellor's robes of black silk and gold, and H. B. has given us a very graphic portrait of him on this occasion: and he was attended by the Marquis of Londonderry, Lord Montague, Lord Apsley, Lord Hill, Lord Mohun, Sir George Murray, Sir Henry Hardinge, Sir S. Acland, Sir Robert Inglis, and Sir Charles Wetherell. There were likewise present eleven members of the episcopal bench. Among the ladies were to be seen the Princess Lieven, the Marchioness of Salisbury, and the Countesses of Clanwilliam and Brownlow. The Rev. John Keble of Oriel, so well known to us as the author of The Christian Year (then professor of poetry), wrote the installation ode—and the Duke's reception was magnificent.
The Princess Victoria had not long entered into her fifteenth year when she had a lover, whose story is thus told by the Courier of July 24th:—
"A Suitor to Royalty.
"A good deal of talk and merriment have been created in Kensington, in consequence of the eccentricities of a gentleman, said to hold a rank of some importance in the army, who has fallen desperately in love with the Princess Victoria, and who, for some months past, has taken every opportunity of manifesting the ardour of his passion for her Royal Highness. From what can be gathered of this eccentric gentleman's movements, it appears that about the beginning of last spring he made some very particular inquiries of the keeper at the Mount Gate, Kensington Gardens, as to the Princess, wishing, in particular, to know the best way in which he could obtain an introduction, and whether it was most likely an interview would be granted at Kensington Palace.
"The gatekeeper referred the gentleman to the proper authorities at the palace; after which he received three cards, containing, as the gentleman said, his titles and dignity, with a request that they should be immediately forwarded to her Royal Highness the Princess Victoria. On the cards were written "The King of Rome," "The Emperor of the Austrias," and "The Grand Lama of Thibet." Several letters were sent to the palace by this tripartite potentate, who was constantly seen promenading before the palace and in the gardens, waiting to obtain the desired interview with the Princess. One day, while the gatekeepers were at dinner, he contrived to jump over the palings into the shrubbery, and there plant a laurel, to which he affixed another letter to the Princess Victoria; which, of course, when discovered, was speedily removed.
"From that time, this gentleman continued to pursue the same system of eccentricity, and yesterday morning, having made some further inquiries of the gatekeeper respecting the Princess, the gatekeeper considered it to be the most prudent course to inform Sir John Conroy of the persevering conduct of the enamoured suitor. The gatekeeper having received his instructions, proceeded to the station-house, and returned to the gardens accompanied by Inspector McManus, of the T division. The gatekeeper and the inspector then proceeded towards a bench in the garden, where the individual in question had taken a seat. The inspector told him he must take him into custody, unless he would pledge his honour to abstain, in future, from the ridiculous system of annoyance he had practised. The individual, after some demur, gave the required promises, and was allowed to leave the gardens, after having given a card, which contained, as was presumed, his real name and rank, which was stated to be that of a lieutenant-colonel. He was a tall, military-looking man, with an umbrella and a bunch of lavender, and apparently about forty-five years of age."
CHAPTER XVII.
1834.
Crockford's and game — The chef in trouble — Burning of the Houses of Parliament — The tapestry in the House of Lords — Story of one piece — Temporary House of Lords — Tithe riots in Ireland — Change of Ministry.
One would imagine that Crockford's gambling "hell" was too solemn a place to extract laughter from, but yet there is a police case in connection with that place, and in which the celebrated chef Ude was principally concerned, which is the reverse of serious.