England -- Social life and customs -- 19th century; Great Britain -- History -- William IV, 1830-1837
"You would perceive, from the newspapers, that the Grand Terrace
was thrown open to the public yesterday week. From the walk
immediately under the castle you may see portions of the
magnificent rooms--the splendid ceilings, window drapery, and
chandeliers. I was delighted with the sight, and again visited
the terrace on Sunday. The terrace was then crowded, and I am
sorry to add, English-like, some of the people, (of the lower
class, certainly) had behaved so ill, that the public were
excluded from that part adjoining the building. Some of the
creatures who abused the privilege thus extended to the public,
not only ascended the steps leading to the state apartments, but
actually climbed up into the windows to look into the rooms, thus
intruding their rudeness on the King. It is said that his Majesty
himself, from a window, saw a person writing his name on one of
the statues, and observed on the occasion, 'I shall be compelled
to do as my brother did, exclude the public from this part, if
such conduct is continued.' The grass was all trampled and
injured, the people would not confine themselves to the gravel
walks."
By the way, about this time, the King gave the Zoological Society the
whole of the collection of beasts and birds belonging to the late
King, amounting to 150.
England has frequently afforded shelter to unfortunate
princes--notably, in late times, to Louis XVIII., who resided at
Hartwell, in Buckinghamshire--and now another French King, Charles X.,
sought her protection, arriving at Portsmouth on August 17th, and
proceeding to Lulworth in Dorsetshire, where he was welcomed at the
castle, which was placed at his disposal by Joseph Weld, Esq., a
relative of the cardinal of that name. Here he remained some time,
afterwards residing at Holyrood Palace, and finally retired to
Austria, where he died.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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