7 DECEMBER 1844, Page 2

Int (Tout.

THE death of the Princess Sophia Matilda has put a check upon all Court gayeties. On Saturday, none of the Royal family left the Castle, and the music at dinner was discontinued. Subsequently, however, the walks and other out-door exercise have been resumed.

The Dutchess of Kent and the Dutchess of Cambridge, with the Hereditary Grand Dutchess of Mecklenburg - Strelitz, visited the Dutchess of Gloucester on Saturday. The Duke of Cambridge arrived in town from Mr. Sloan Stanley's seat, Paulton's, on Monday, and visited her Royal Highness on the same day. The Dutchess of Cam- bridge and her daughter repeated their visit on Wednesday.

Tuesday's Gazette contained an order from the Lord Chamberlain's Office for a Court mourning for the Princess Sophia Matilda, to com- mence on Thursday last the 5th instant, to change on Thursday the 12th instant, and to terminate on Sunday the 15th. The Earl Marshal also issued an order for a general mourning, to commence on Thursday the 5th and to continue for one week.

It is understood that the body will lie in state at Blackheath on Mon- day next, from twelve till four o'clock ; that the funeral will take place on Tuesday the 10th; and that the remains will be interred in St. George's Chapel at Windsor.

The health of the Princess Sophia had declined for about two years ; up to the Wednesday before her death there was no marked change for the worse. On Thursday she took an airing. On Friday morning, she sent for her medical attendant, Dr. Wattsford ; who found her labouring under some oppression of the chest, and administered a com- posing-draught. He had scarcely returned home before he was again summoned ; and going back with the messenger, he found that the Princess had expired.