'ire yours.
THE incidents of Court history this week are not very striking. The Queen and Prince Albert have appeared a good deal in public. A Court was held at Buckingham Palace on Saturday afternoon ; at which S. Gonzales, the Spanish Plenipotentiary on a special mission to this country, and S. Fortique, the Venezuelan Minister, were presented by Lord Palmerston. A Court and Privy Council were held on Thursday. At the Court, Chekib Effendi, the Turkish Ambassador, had an audience of the Queen, to deliver a letter. The Privy Council was attended by the Lord President, the Lord Chancellor, the First Lord of the Treasury, the Lord Privy Seal, the Secretaries of State for the Home and Foreign Departments, the President of the Board of Control, the Secretary at War, the Lord Steward, and the Lord Cham- berlain.
The Queen and Prince Albert continue to "assist" at the musical theatres. On Saturday they went to the Italian Opera ; on Tuesday they paid their first visit to the English Opera. On Saturday afternoon the Royal pair made a private visit to the British Museum ; seeing every part of the place, and all in it that is to be seen. The print-room was visited last, and detained the Royal party long. The Courtly chronicler states that "the never-to-be-equalled etchings by Rembrandt were most minutely examined by her Majesty ; and the remarks her Majesty made upon the occasion proved how much she admired them, and how fully capable she was of estimating their value as works of art." Yesterday, the Queen and Prince Albert went to the National Gallery. The Dutchess of Kent was at Covent Garden Theatre on Thursday. A round of family visits has diversified the occupations of the Court. The Queen gave Sir William Newton a final sitting for his Corona- tion-picture, on Monday. Her Majesty is also sitting to Mr. W. C.
Ross.
There has been a robbery of plate at Windsor Castle. Additional rooms were about to be fitted up, and some furniture which was lying by was required for the purpose. It was sought out on Thursday week, and then it was discovered that a great many articles kept among the stores had either been taken away or mutilated. A solid silver table had the metal stripped from the framework of the top, and the four legs torn off. Two figures of angels of solid silver were gone. [The greater portion of the valuables first missed had been brought over from Hanover during the fear of an invasion by the French.] As soon as the loss was discovered, the servants of the stores department were questioned. Among them was a porter, whose replies were observed WI be confused and evasive. He has since absconded, and no trace of his retreat has been discovered : his wife even seems quite ignorant of his movements, for she sent to the Palace on the same evening to inquire for him. He is not known to have taken any thing with him on his journey except two razors, which are the only things missed at his home. He pawned Lis watch in the town of Windsor ; which has led to the conclusion that be had no money with him. He has been tracked as far as the Railway Station at Slough, whence he came to London ; where, it is reported, he has subsequently been seen several times—a most improbable circumstance.
Since the first discovery of the robbery, each day has brought new
losses to A silver crown belonging to Charles the Second is missing ; and the most valuable portions of a tent, called " Tippoo Saib's tent," taken by the Marquis of Cornwallis at the storming of Seringapatam, have disappeared. It was last used when it was erected for the accommodation of William the Fourth at Egham Races. Seve- ral things have been found packed up, as if for removal by the thief. It excites remark that no reward has been publicly offered for the dis- cOvery of the offender. The Metropolitan Police, however, are making active search for him. Yesterday, the Lord Chamberlain went to the Castle and instituted an inquiry ; and he returned in the afternoon to Buckingham Palace to make a report.
Previous page
