In the meantime, matters of costume, as connected with court etiquette, were not considered beneath her Majesty’s notice. Her birth-day was kept on the 18th of January, to make it as distinct as possible from the King’s, kept in June, and to encourage both winter and summer fashions. For the latter anniversary a dress was instituted of ‘stiff-bodied gowns and bare shoulders;’ and invented, it was said, ‘to thin the drawing-room.’ ‘It will be warmer, I hope,’ says Walpole, in March, ‘by the King’s birth-day, or the old ladies will catch their deaths. What dreadful discoveries will be made both on fat and lean! I recommend to you the idea of Mrs. Cavendish when half stark!’ The Queen’s drawing-rooms, however, were generally crowded by the ladies; and no wonder, when seventeen English and Scotch unmarried dukes might be counted at them. The especial birthday drawing-room on the anniversary of the King’s natal day was, however, ill attended, less on the King’s account than on that of his minister, Lord Bute. Meanwhile, court was made to the Queen by civilities shown to a second brother who had come over to visit her, allured by affection and the success which had attended the elder brother. _Lady Northumberland’s fête_ to this wandering prince was a ‘pompous festine;’ ‘not only the whole house, but the garden was illuminated, and was quite a fairy scene. Arches and pyramids of lights alternately surrounded the enclosure; a diamond necklace of lamps edged the rails and descent, with a spiral obelisk of candles on each hand; and dispersed over the lawn with little bands of kettle-drums, clarinets, fifes, &c., and the lovely moon who came without a card.’ Queen Charlotte knew how to perform a graceful action gracefully as well as any queen who ever shared the throne. Thus, Lady Bolingbroke having been trusted by the Duchess of Bedford with a superb enamelled watch to exhibit to her Majesty, the latter desired her to put it on, that she might the better judge of its ornamental effect. She was obeyed, and thereupon she made a present of it to the happy lady, remarking, that the watch looked so well upon her ‘it ought to remain by Lady Bolingbroke’s side.’ But the great event of the year was the birth of the heir-apparent. It occurred at St. James’s Palace, on the 12th of August. In previous reigns such events generally took place in the presence of many witnesses; but on the present occasion the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Lord Chancellor alone were present in that capacity.