As a rule, however, to the great disgust of the majority of the _suite_, only the works of Handel were performed. [238] _Diary and Letters of Madame D'Arblay._ [Illustration: _From an engraving by W. Woollett_ KEW PALACE] "The Kew life, you will perceive, is different from the Windsor. As there are no early prayers, the Queen rises later; and as there is no form or ceremony here of any sort, her dress is plain, and the hour for the second toilette extremely uncertain," Miss Burney wrote. "The royal family are here always in so very retired a way, that they live as the simplest country gentlefolks. The King has not even an equerry with him, nor the Queen any lady to attend her when she goes her airings."[239] At Windsor a certain degree of ceremony was observed, and many old customs preserved. "I find it has always belonged to Mrs. Schwellenberg and Mrs. Haggerdorn to receive at tea whatever company the King and Queen invite to the Lodge," Miss Burney noted, "as it is only a very select few that can eat with their Majesties, and those few are only ladies; no man, of what rank soever, being permitted to sit in the Queen's presence."[240] The King, who was an early riser, worked at affairs of state from six until eight o'clock, when a procession for chapel was formed, headed by the King and Queen, the Princesses following in pairs, and after them the ladies and gentlemen in waiting, who usually attended in full strength, for though it was not obligatory on the members of the suite, their absence was resented by the Queen. "The King rose every morning at six, and had two hours to himself. He thought it effeminate to have a carpet in his bedroom. Shortly before eight, the Queen and the royal family were always ready for him, and they proceeded to the King's chapel in the castle. There were no fires in the passages; the chapel was scarcely alight; Princesses, governesses, equerries grumbled and caught cold; but cold or hot, it was their duty to go; and, wet or dry, light or dark, the stout old George was always in his place to say amen to the chaplain."[241] [239] _Diary and Letters of Madame D'Arblay, June 28, 1786._ [240] When in 1788 the Royal Family went to Cheltenham for the benefit of the King's health, this rule was temporarily abrogated, partly owing to the small space at the disposal of the Court. "The Queen will dine with her equerries, though at first coming into this country German etiquette prevented her from sitting at her table with much greater personages than either Dr. Digby or Mr. Gwynn."--Anthony Storer to the Earl of Auckland. [241] Thackeray: _The Four Georges_.