498

DUCHESS OF BRUNSWICK.

into conversation with the Prince, during which there was a profound silence throughout the assembly, as though all present had felt the same sentiment, and thought that the perfect restoration of harmony and future felicity depended upon this interesting moment. But there was nothing in the scene beyond the forms of politeness; and whatever might be the public wish, there were not wanting persons, who, from their opportunities of observation, concluded that any further connexion was impracticable.

The arrival of the Duchess of Brunswick in the following month had a considerable effect upon the national sympathy; and the interview between the King and his sister, after a separation of forty years, was the more affecting, from the circumstances of these venerable personages, the one being almost in a state of darkness, and the other a widowed exile.

On the part of Her Majesty, and indeed of the whole royal family, the most studied attentions were paid to the comforts of the aged princess, who, as long as she resided with her daughter at Blackheath, and ever after, experienced nothing but respect and kindness from her illustrious relatives.

During this session of parliament, an act was passed, pursuant to a message from the crown, for the settlement of Frogmore, with other lands in Berkshire and Buckinghamshire, appertaining to

Windsor Forest, upon the Queen, for the period of ninety-nine years, or the lives of Her Majesty and the five youngest princesses.

This estate was sold, with other lands of the crown, in the time of the civil war, but reverted after the restoration, and ultimately became the leasehold property of Mrs. Egerton, from whom the Queen purchased it, and made great improvements, both in the house and grounds.

Frogmore stands about half a mile east of New Windsor, in a pleasant vale that separates the Little Park from the Forest. It is surrounded by a number of very fine old oaks and elms, many of which are in the garden, a delightful spot of thirteen acres, admirably laid out, and enriched with a vast variety of plants, shrubs, and flowers, both indigenous and exotic. Many fanciful buildings are also interspersed between the trees and along the walks; but though art has done much, the whole is made to assimilate most judiciously with the adjacent forest scenery. The house is not large, but plain, neat, and fitted up throughout in a style of elegant simplicity. Most of the apartments, however, contain very valuable cabinet paintings; which, together with Mr. West's original sketches,. and, above all, the library, exhibit a striking memorial of the refined taste and solid judgment of Her Majesty. Among the literary treasures here col

k k

500

QUEEN'S PRINTING-PRESS.

lected, are several important works, illustrated at a great expense; and adjoining to the library, which looks into the garden, is a room containing a printing-press, and every necessary apparatus, from whence have issued some small pieces, under the immediate direction of Her Majesty, who, on being informed that the place must be entered according to act of parliament, facetiously replied to the librarian, "Well, let it be so I believe there is no danger of our being sent to Reading gaol for printing libels."

Besides many single sheets on religious subjects, there have been printed at this royal press sets of cards, exhibiting chronological abridgments of the history of Rome, Germany, France, Spain, and Portugal, all of them extremely well calculated to assist the memory and exercise the faculties of young persons.

Two books only, of sixty copies each, have been here printed, and both in the year 1812: the first, a small octavo of one hundred and eleven pages, bearing this title, "Translations from the German, in Prose and Verse," is thus inscribed: "The Gift of the Queen to her beloved Daughters, CharlotteAugusta-Matilda, Augusta-Sophia, Elizabeth, Mary, and Sophia and with her permission dedicated to their Royal Highnesses, by Ellis-Constantia Knight." The other is a foolscap quarto, of ninety

pages, with the simple title of "Miscellaneous Poems." Both have an etching, by way of vignette, representing a garden view of the library. All the translations in the first book are religious, consisting of prayers, meditations, and hymns; the prose part being chiefly taken from the works of Dr. Seiler, whose explanatory works on the Scriptures may be considered as models of rational and enlightened piety, which are equally calculated to improve the understanding and touch the heart.

The volume of "Miscellaneous Poems" consists chiefly of fugitive pieces, which appear to have struck the fancy of the selector, who has also interspersed some original versions from Italian and German writers. The following "devotional piece, to be sung to Pleyel's German hymn," will speak for itself:

Oh! my God, thy servant hear;

To my prayer

incline thine ear:

When ruddy morning streaks the skies,

To thee I lift mine op'ning eyes.

When the sun conceals his head
Beneath the western ocean's bed,
Of thee, my God, I ask repose,
To calm with sleep my pains and woes

When I press the bed of death,
Take, oh take, my parting breath!

Save me by thy gracious power
From all the horrors of that hour.