Zig Court.
SOSLE public business, and a constant coming and going of visiters, have enlivened the week at Windsor Castle.
On Tuesday, the Queen held an investiture of the Order of the Bath. The Chapter of the Order was attended by Prince Albert, the Duke of Cambridge, the Duke of Wellington, Viscount Strangford, Sir Edward Paget, Sir George Murray, Sir George Cockburn, Sir Edward Codring- ton, and the Earl of Clarendon. The Queen, accompanied by Prince Albert, and preceded by Officers of State, with a numerous train of attendants, entered the Reception-room about one o'clock ; her Majesty, and all the Knights Grand Cross present, wearing the costume of the Order. Sir Arthur Aston and the Earl of Ellenborough were succes- sively introduced by the junior Knights Grand Cross, knighted by the Queen with the sword, and invested with the star of Civil Knights Grand Cross and the other insignia ; each kissing the Sovereign's hand.
In the evening, the Queen gave a grand dinner to the Knights of the Order, in the Waterloo Chamber ; the tables displaying the riches of the plate-treasury. Besides the Knights, the Royal visiters, the Dutchess of Kent, Sir Robert Peel, and a few other guests, were of the party. After dinner, there was a concert in the Reception-room. The Knights slept at the Castle, and took their departure next day ; except the Duke of Wellington, who staid a day longer. Her Majesty held a Court and Privy Council on Thursday. The Council was attended by Prince Albert and most of the Cabinet Minis-
ters. Parliament was ordered to be further prorogued, from the 12th December to the 4th February; then to meet for the despatch of busi- ness. Sir Henry Pottinger took the oaths as a Privy Councillor, and his seat at the Board.
At the Court, her Majesty gave audiences to Sir Hamilton Seymour and the Honourable John Duncan Bligh.
The Queen has taken frequent walks and drives with her illustrious guests. On Saturday and '1 hursday, Prince Albert, with the Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha and Duke Ernest of Wurtemberg, hunted with the hounds; on Wednesday, the party went out shooting.
Among the visiters at the Castle have been, the Earl of Aberdeen, the Marquis and Marchioness of Normanby, Sir Henry Wheatley, Sir Robert and Lady Peel, the Earl and Countess Cowper, Lord and Lady Willoughby de Eresby.
The Duke of Cambridge arrived at Kew, on Monday, from a visit to Colonel Wyndham, at Petworth.
Wednesday was the Princess Mary's birthday; which the Dutcbess of Gloucester celebrated by a grand dinner ; the young Princess, the Duke and Dutchess of Cambridge, the Hereditary Grand Duke and Grand Dutchess of Mecklenburg So elitz, being present.
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