ROYAL PROGRESS 
 
 ir^rii 
 
 &> 
 
 TO BURGHLEY 
 
 i liiii i 
 
 H[ 1D,.| 
 
 1 ;; 
 
*?e. 
 
 £*?-£/ 
 
 <4<tt 
 
 y 
 
4 #f 
 
 '4ffe 
 
 
 *$* 
 
 V"' 
 
 — 5 •"* y 
 
 ■ , •- ^ 
 
 raft, 
 
 
 
 
 / 
 
 
 ,SW..« V , 
 
 ' : # 
 
 
 S3 
 
 <Ti)c Progress of 
 
 
 JfysXCiOgal J^tsijncss Jctince ^Blitovt, 
 
 BDR6HLET HOUSE, NORTHAMPTONSHIRE, 
 
 NOVEMBER, MDCCCXLIV. 
 
 
 PUBLISHED BY ABEL AND SONS, NORTHAMPTON; ACKERMANN ANO CO. LONDON; 
 
 3IRDSALL, NORTHAMPTON; SHARP, STAMFORD; AND DASH, KETTERING. 
 
 tUl- 
 
 . . c* 
 
 
 A . . ' 
 
 
 :W'- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 .- 1-'. 
 
 
 
 
 _ 
 
 
§i£iS 
 
 SOUTH AM 1' 1'ON 
 
 PRINTED BY ABEL AND SONS. 
 
 
 fi^T 
 
.■-' 
 
 THIS WORK, 
 
 ILLUSTRATIVE <>F 
 
 fl 
 
 IP HIE PIRIDNEURESS A MB VISIT 
 
 i&et Most Gracious ittajestg (Queen Victoria 
 
 HER ROYAL CONSORT, 
 
 ](g^L¥ ^©SPWALOTCi ©¥ EWUQULEY, 
 
 IS MOST RESPECTFVIXY I\SCRIBED, BY PERMISSION, 
 
 TO THE MOST NOBLE 
 
 THE MARQUIS AND MARCHIONESS OF EXETER, 
 
 BY THEIR VERY OBEDIENT SERVANTS, 
 
 'Sfje $ubltsf)crs. 
 
 *1NP? 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 ->4H- 
 
 PAG I 
 
 PREFACE v 
 
 INTRODUCTION vi 
 
 COUNTY MEETING AT NORTHAMPTON TO ADDRESS THE QUEEN 1 
 
 THE ROYAL DEPARTURE FOR BURGHLEY HOUSE li 
 
 ARRIVAL AT WEEDON y 
 
 ARRIVAL AT NORTHAMPTON 10 
 
 ARRIVAL AT KETTERING 18 
 
 ARRIVAL AT STAMFORD , 23 
 
 ARRIVAL AT BURGHLEY 26 
 
 THE BANQUET IN THE HALL 27 
 
 CHRISTENING OF THE LADY VICTORIA CECIL 31 
 
 THE BALL ' 35 
 
 HER MAJESTY'S DEPARTURE FROM BURGHLEY HOUSE 37 
 
 SOME ACCOUNT OF BURGHLEY HOUSE 41 
 
 AN ACCOUNT OF THE CASTLE OF NORTHAMPTON 51) 
 
 THE ENTRIE OF HER MAJESTIE QUEEN ELIZABETH INTO THE TOWNE OF 
 
 NORTHAMPTON IN THE YEAR 1564 52 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 ->€?«- 
 
 The following pages have been compiled from various public and private sources, 
 with the view of meeting a very general as well as natural anxiety, that the 
 event therein recorded, fraught as it must have been with interest to every 
 man, woman, and child in this our highly- favoured county, should not be 
 allowed to pass away, without some local record of an occasion which called forth 
 the enthusiastic loyalty of its inhabitants, and united them heart and hand in an 
 affectionate and joyful homage to, and welcome of, their beloved Sovereign. 
 
 An event so heart-stirring in its association as the presence amongst us 
 of our Queen, has happily excited, too, a spirit of active benevolence and 
 charitable zeal, which has sought its appropriate relief in the proposed forma- 
 tion of an institution at Northampton, to be called " The Royal Victoria Dis- 
 pensary." In affording their ready sympathy, and by their subscriptions in aid of 
 this more solid memorial of the occasion, our Readers will, probably, best evince 
 their earnest desire, that it may be made to shed to the latest posterity its 
 benign influence, in the relief of the sick and the distressed amongst us. 
 
 Northampton, Dec. 1844. 
 
 The Publishers desire to acknowledge the advantages the two views of an Exterior and an Interior at 
 Burghley House in this Work have derived, from the liberality of Mr. Sharp, of Stamford, in per- 
 mitting their Artist to avail himself of Mr. Rudge's beautiful Drawings, published by him. 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 ^■viX^ 
 
 The intention of her Majesty to honour the Marquis and Marchioness 
 of Exeter with a visit, at the ancient family mansion of the Cecils, on 
 the 12th of November, having for some long period preceding its 
 <x^x> realisation become generally known, through the medium ot the public 
 press, it will not be necessary for us to prefix any further introduction 
 
 to this detail of the Royal Progress, beyond a report of the proceedings 
 that transpired at the County Meeting, which assembled at Northampton 
 a few days previously, to vote a loyal address to her Majesty, congra- 
 tulatory of this happy event. We shall, therefore, proceed without 
 further remarks to bring this report at once before our readers. 
 
)^ 
 
 THE ROYAL PROGRESS 
 
 TO 
 
 BURGHLEY HOUSE 
 
 ->>€*< 
 
 COUNTY MEETING AT NORTHAMPTON TO ADDRESS 
 
 HER MAJESTY. 
 
 W^^£rZ3%!> VERY numerous meeting was convened in the County Hall, on 
 > Saturday, November 9th, by requisition to the High Sheriff, for the 
 
 purpose of voting an Address to her Majesty on the joyful occasion 
 of her Majesty's visit to the county. The High Sheriff, Sir Henry 
 Dryden, Bart., took the chair at half-past eleven o'clock. He was supported, right 
 and left, by the Marquis of Exeter, Marquis of Northampton, Earl Spencer, Earl 
 of Cardigan, Lord Lilford, the Right Hon. R. V. Smith, M.P. ; the Hon. P. S. 
 Pierrepont, the Hon. Captain Spencer, Hon. R. Watson, Hon. and Rev. D. Finch 
 Hatton, Sir W.Wake, Bart.; Sir C. Knightley, Bart., M.P.; T. P. Maunsell, Esq., 
 M.P. ; A. S. O'Brien, Esq., M.P.; E. Bouverie, T. R. Thornton, H. B. Sawbridge, 
 C. Hill, A. A. Young, J. Thornton, P. Pauncefort Duncombe, W. T. Maunsell, 
 L. Christie, W. Willes, J. Nethercote, J. Reddall, A. Cartwright, — Lee, W. G. 
 Duncan, W. Watkins, G. Morgan, S. Percival, Esqs.; General Greenstreet, 
 Colonel Bouverie, Colonel Cartwright ; the Dean of Peterborough, the Revds. 
 Dr. Geldart, J. Wetherall, F. Clerke, F. Litchfield, B. G. Brydges, D. Morton, 
 P. Thornton, S. Cartwright, R. Wake, G. H. Vyse, C. Smyth, &c, &c. 
 
 jg I 
 
THE ROYAL PROGRESS TO BURGHLEY HOUSE. 
 
 The High Sheriff opened the business of the meeting by reading the requisition. 
 
 The Marquis of Exeter then addressed the meeting. He said, it was with 
 feelings of pride and satisfaction he rose to move an humble address to her 
 Majesty, expressive of the great joy and pleasure they felt at her Majesty's 
 approaching visit to the county, accompanied, as she would be, by her royal 
 consort, Prince Albert, who, by his example in support of the arts, and of the 
 scientific and charitable institutions of the country, had won the good opinion of 
 all her Majesty's subjects (cheers). Under any circumstances, her Majesty's 
 presence would be hailed with joy and satisfaction ; but when they considered 
 the great ability she had exhibited since she ascended the throne of her ancestors ; 
 when they considered the admirable manner in which she had fulfilled the high 
 duties of her station, and the pleasure she had shown on all occasions in sanc- 
 tioning any measure for the benefit of her people ; when they called to mind the 
 exertion she had used to maintain friendly relations with foreign powers, and the 
 success with which her endeavours had been crowned ; but, above all, when they 
 recollected that, in her private life, her Majesty set an example, as a wife and a 
 mother, which the most scrupulous lady in the land might be proud to follow 
 (great cheering), he thought cold must be the heart, and stagnant the blood, of 
 any person present, who would not agree in sending the address to her Majesty 
 which he held in his hand (loud cheers). It was the only legitimate means they 
 had of assuring her Majesty of their loyalty and attachment, and of making known 
 to her Majesty the high sense they entertained of the honour she was about to 
 confer on them by visiting their county. The noble Marquis then read the 
 address, as follows : — 
 
 " TO THE QUEEN'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY. 
 
 " We, your Majesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Nobility, Gentry, Clergy, and other Inhabitants 
 of the County of Northampton, in County Meeting assembled, beg to approach your Majesty with the 
 expression of the high gratification we feel at the honour your Majesty has done us in visiting our 
 County. We take this opportunity of assuring your Majesty, that however much your Majesty's conduct 
 has endeared you to every class of your subjects, none can feel more strongly than we do, the most 
 ardent wishes for your Majesty's health and happiness ; and it is our most earnest prayer to the Almighty, 
 that He may be pleased to grant to your Majesty a long and peaceful reign, during the whole course of 
 which you may witness the improving prosperity of your people." 
 
 < r|S£ 
 
-^? 
 
 THE ROYAL PROGRESS TO BURGHLEY HOUSE. 
 
 The Marquis of Northampton, in rising to second the address, said it was 
 unnecessary for him to use many words on such an occasion. He need only refer 
 to what his noble friend the Marquis of Exeter had so well and ably said, and to 
 the bright example her Majesty had set, both in her public and her private capacity, 
 to obtain an unanimous vote on this occasion. He was sure that the fact of her 
 Majesty honouring the county with her presence, was quite sufficient to call forth 
 an unanimous feeling of loyalty, and to induce them to come forward and con- 
 gratulate themselves and the county on such an event. He thought that when 
 her Majesty came to this county, on a visit to the descendant of the great 
 minister of the great Queen Elizabeth, she — also a female sovereign — could not, 
 without a feeling of pleasure and of pride, traverse the halls once inhabited by 
 one of the greatest statesmen that ever swayed the destinies of this country ; 
 and her Majesty would feel, and the county would feel, it to have been a proud 
 thing that a female sovereign, should have been able to command the services 
 of such a man as the great Lord Burghley {cheers). Her Majesty had always 
 been anxious to encourage the manufactures of the country, by patronising them 
 in her court ; therefore, that would be a reason for those among them who 
 resided at Northampton, for greeting her Majesty with a cordial welcome. With 
 respect to those who followed the most important of all arts — that of agriculture 
 — it was needless for him to say that Prince Albert was the first and greatest 
 farmer in the land — first in station, and most anxious for the promotion of 
 agriculture (great cheering). He felt it unnecessary to say more, because he 
 could not anticipate the possibility of a difference of opinion. They must all 
 agree, that their only object was to congratulate her Majesty and themselves on 
 that proud and happy occasion ; and that it would be extremely improper to 
 mix up with it any other subject on which there could possibly be any difference 
 (hear, hear, hear). Their object was to be unanimous ; and they must be well 
 aware, that unanimity gave its greatest grace to an address of that description 
 (loud cheers). 
 
 The address being unanimously agreed to, Earl Spencer then rose, and said, 
 he offered himself to propose a vote of thanks to the High Sheriff, for having 
 
THE ROYAL PROGRESS TO BURGHLEY HOUSE. 
 
 been kind enough to call that meeting. He did it with feelings of the greatest 
 satisfaction and pleasure, because they had voted the address unanimously ; 
 and it must be gratifying to every loyal inhabitant of the county, that an 
 address to her Majesty should have been adopted unanimously by this great 
 county of Northampton. Her Majesty, on the grounds which had been so 
 admirably stated by both his noble friends who had preceded him, deserved the 
 devoted attachment, as she had it, of the people of this county {loud cheers). 
 It was a good thing that it was her Majesty's habit to go among her people, 
 to see the people over whom she had the honour to reign — a people attached 
 to her by their loyalty generally, but particularly attached to her in consequence 
 of her own exemplary conduct. It was also important that the sovereign of 
 this country should know what it was that so endeared her to her subjects. 
 It was very desirable that, being an example, as she was, of domestic life, she 
 should see that it was that which contributed greatly to her popularity among 
 her people (cheers). But it was not only as an example of domestic life that 
 she was one of the best monarchs that had ever blessed the country, it was also 
 in her political capacity that she had greatly distinguished herself. He did not 
 recollect the history of any reign in which it had not been possible for some 
 surmises to be stated against the sovereign as to his conduct to his administra- 
 tions. They had seen her Majesty, however, at the beginning of her reign, 
 surrounded by an administration, in which she seemed to have the most perfect 
 confidence. That administration, by the will of Parliament and the country, 
 had been dismissed, and another placed in its stead. Had there been the slightest 
 want of confidence in the present administration ? Had she not, on the contrary, 
 given it the fullest and most complete support during the whole course of its 
 existence? It was very possible that there might have been other sovereigns, 
 who knew that such a course ought to be pursued, but he did not recollect any 
 occasion when, an administration having been changed, there had not been room 
 for some surmises that its successor had not the same complete and cordial 
 support. Such being his feelings with respect to what they ought to do, and 
 their having voted the address unanimously, he thought there was every reason 
 
 i ^ 
 
THE ROYAL PROGRESS TO BURGHLEY HOUSE. 
 
 why they should concur in thanking the High Sheriff for calling that meeting. 
 The nohle Earl concluded by proposing — 
 
 " That the above address be signed by the Sheriff on behalf of the meeting, and presented by him to 
 her Majesty ; and that the thanks of the meeting be given to the Sheriff for his readiness in calling the 
 meeting." 
 
 T. R, Thornton, Esq., seconded the resolution. He quite agreed with 
 the noble lords who had preceded him, that there never was a sovereign so 
 distinguished as her Majesty by personal excellence. Had they not every day 
 proofs of the excellence of her private conduct ; and, therefore, had they not 
 also reason to congratulate themselves on the way in which the successors to 
 the throne were likely to be brought up ? Had they not everything in her 
 Majesty's government to give them confidence in her mild and benignant sway ? 
 He cordially concurred with Lord Spencer, that her Majesty should be personally 
 known to her subjects, and that her Majesty should know how highly her subjects 
 valued such qualities in their monarch. 
 
 The resolution was canned unanimously. The High Sheriff returned thanks. 
 He could only say he was exceedingly glad to have had the honour of presiding 
 over this meeting. The meeting then, having given three cheers each, for the 
 Queen and the Marquis of Exeter, broke up. 
 
 ^s 
 
THE ROYAL PROGRESS TO BURGHLEY HOUSE. 
 
 
 THE ROYAL DEPARTURE. 
 
 HE Queen and Prince Albert left Buckingham Palace at five minutes 
 % "*m'f } \0 ji before nine o'clock on Tuesday morning, in a carriage-and-four, 
 *L' / escorted by a party of Lancers, for the Euston Square terminus of 
 the London and Birmingham Railway. Her Majesty was attired 
 in deep mourning, and appeared in perfect health. His Royal Highness Prince 
 Albert, who also looked extremely well, was enveloped in a capacious travelling- 
 cloak of a dark colour, lined with red. 
 
 Lady Portman, the Honourable Georgiana Liddell, Colonel Arbuthnot, and 
 Colonel Wylde, followed in a second carriage-and-four ; and the Lord Chamber- 
 lain and Mr. George Edward Anson followed in a third carriage-and-four. 
 
 The royal travellers arrived at the Euston Square terminus at a quarter- 
 past nine o'clock, and her Majesty and the Prince, on alighting from the royal 
 carriage, were received by Mr. Glyn, the chairman of the railway ; Mr. Ledsom, 
 the deputy chairman ; Mr. Young and Mr. Grenfell, directors ; Mr. Creed, the 
 secretary ; and Mr. Bruyeres, the chief inspector of the line ; and conducted into 
 the state-room. 
 
 The luggage belonging to the Court had to be properly disposed of in the 
 carriages appropriated to the use of the suite. This was effected in a few minutes, 
 and at seventeen minutes after nine o'clock, her Majesty and Prince Albert left 
 the state-room and proceeded to the royal carriage, amidst the hearty cheering 
 of a large and respectable concourse of spectators, who had been admitted within 
 the station. 
 
 The royal train, consisting of three carriages beside the royal carriage, left 
 the terminus at twenty-two minutes after nine o'clock, and was enthusiastically 
 cheered while it remained in sight of those at the station. The engine, which 
 had the royal standard hoisted in front, was driven by Mr. E. Bury, the superin- 
 tendent of the locomotive department. 
 
 Cm 
 
^sg 
 
 i 
 
 THE ROYAL PROGRESS TO BURGHLEY HOUSE. U ^ 
 
 The incline to Camden Town was passed up at a rapid rate, and upon 
 getting out of the cutting and obtaining a view of the horizon, it was seen that 
 her Majesty, whose " Royal Progresses" have been almost invariably made 
 " midst sunshine and smiles," would, on the present occasion, have but a dull 
 journey, so far as the weather was concerned. A drizzling rain beat against 
 the windows of the carnages, and the huge volumes of steam from the engine 
 dragged, or rather rolled, their slow length across the country, lending an 
 additional haziness to the atmosphere. 
 
 At the Camden Town works, belonging to the railway, the workmen had 
 arranged themselves along the line, and gave her Majesty a " hurrah," which 
 was none the less sincere for being most vociferous. The Primrose Hill tunnel 
 was passed through at great speed (about one minute), and the train went at 
 something like thirty-four or thirty-five miles per hour, with a fine easy motion — 
 the carriages having had improved springs attached to them — and passing Harrow 
 at twelve minutes to ten, the Watford station was reached at eight minutes 
 to ten, and the long tunnel immediately beyond it passed through in a minute 
 and forty seconds. 
 
 The train reached Boxmoor station about one minute past ten o'clock. To 
 the platform of this station several persons had been admitted, in order that 
 they might have an opportunity of seeing her Majesty as she travelled on the 
 railroad ; but, considering the rapidity with which the train proceeded, it is 
 hardly possible to conceive that their very natural curiosity could have been 
 adequately gratified. It was, however, an unusual sight to see a special train 
 of this kind at all. In the centre of it was a magnificent carriage, surmounted 
 with a royal crown. The spectators knew that it contained their Sovereign 
 and her Royal Consort ; and this was some gratification, even though they 
 might not be able to distinguish very clearly the illustrious individuals themselves. 
 Indeed, many a labourer and farmer on the railroad side left the labour of the 
 field to look at the royal special train as it rushed rapidly along. 
 
 The drizzling rain which was falling at the time, had not deterred a consider- 
 able number of persons from collecting together at Tring station. This station 
 
&g 
 
 THE ROYAL PROGRESS TO BURGHLEY HOUSE. 
 
 ^' 
 
 is situated thirty-one miles and three-quarters from London, and was reached 
 at fourteen minutes past ten o'clock, and here the train halted for a few minutes, 
 in order that the engine might obtain a fresh supply of water. 
 
 Among the persons assembled at this station, were the juvenile members of 
 the neighbouring population, boys and girls, who were drawn up in distinct 
 rows, and who strained their tiny voices to the utmost in welcoming their 
 Sovereign. Her Majesty appeared highly pleased with this specimen of infantine 
 loyalty and enthusiasm. A sufficient supply of water having been obtained, 
 the train again started on its course, at eighteen minutes past ten o'clock, 
 but its onward rate was not now so great as when it started from Euston 
 Square station. As the train approached its destination, the Weedon station, 
 the speed became less and less, and the cause of this slackening in the progress • 
 of the train was understood to be her Majesty's desire not to arrive at Weedon 
 much earlier than a quarter to twelve o'clock. 
 
 At Wolverton station, which was passed by the special train at eleven o'clock, 
 there was a large assemblage of persons on the platform, who all seemed most 
 anxious to catch a passing glimpse of her Majesty, and who most cordially 
 cheered her as the train passed along. At this station several enginemen and 
 mechanics, employed by the railway company, clambered upon some of the 
 engines which were lying on the side rails. It seemed that they had not had 
 much time to pay attention to their toilet, for they wore only their rough 
 working-dresses, and their smeared faces and hands gave sufficient proof of 
 the nature of their hard toil. Loyalty, however, is not confined to any par- 
 ticular class in this country, and the energetic cheers raised by these sons 
 of toil, expressive of their joy at beholding their Sovereign, seemed as heartfelt 
 and as honest as they were lusty. At Roade station, which was reached at 
 eighteen minutes past eleven, the special train passed the ordinary passengers' 
 train, which had left London for Birmingham at nine o'clock. 
 
 .tfSgT 
 
THE ARRIVAL AT WEEDON STATION. 
 
 
 PRECISELY at twenty minutes to twelve o'clock, the appointed 
 time to a second, the royal train arrived in sight, and passed 
 rapidly through the station. Three of the royal carriages had 
 arrived from town by the eight o'clock train, and the horses 
 having arrived from Northampton were put to, and the whole was in readiness 
 before her Majesty reached the station. 
 
 On the royal carriage bringing-up alongside the platform, the Marquis of 
 Exeter (who had slept on the previous night at Delapre Abbey, the seat of 
 E. Bouverie, Esq., near Northampton, in order to be near the spot to receive 
 the illustrious travellers) advanced to pay his respects to the Queen and the 
 Prince, her Majesty and his Royal Highness rising from their seats and greeting 
 his lordship. 
 
 Sir Henry Dryden, High Sheriff of Northamptonshire, Colonel Thome, 
 the Military Commandant of the district, Sir Charles Knightley, and several 
 magistrates of the county, were also present. 
 
 In the station-yard a guard of honour of the 47th Regiment, consisting of 
 one hundred men, a sergeant, and a corporal, with band and Queen's colours, 
 under the command of Captain Haly, were drawn up, the remainder of the 
 regiment forming in file through the village. 
 
 The Marquis of Exeter having received the Queen, and conducted her to 
 the apartments fitted up for her reception, shortly after left for Burghley, to 
 be in readiness to receive his royal visiters. The Noble Marquis rode the 
 whole distance on horseback. 
 
 On leaving the station, the royal cortege . drove slowly through the village 
 of Weedon, over the principal street of which, an unpretending arch, composed 
 of evergreens, was thrown. The inhabitants were all at their doors and win- 
 dows, and as the Queen and the Prince passed, they joined in loyal vociferations 
 
 y) 
 
 "^ 
 
J8& 
 
 THE ROYAL PROGRESS TO BURGHLEY HOUSE. 
 
 in honour of the royal pair. Increasing the pace on leaving Weedon, the royal 
 cortege proceeded rapidly on, the first object on the route being Brockhall, 
 the seat of Thomas Reeve Thornton, Esq. The village of Floore was next 
 reached. Here, the people were all out in holiday attire to meet the royal 
 pair, and the houses were gaily decorated. The villages of Heyford and 
 Harpole were next passed in succession. At Duston, a village closely adjoining 
 Northampton, and the property of Lord Melbourne, the preparations were upon 
 an extensive scale, and the royal pair were most enthusiastically greeted. 
 
 Entering the precincts of the town of Northampton by St. James's end, 
 the cortege soon arrived at the West Bridge, where the Mayor and corporation, 
 with the clergy, and numerous inhabitants, were drawn up. 
 
 ARRIVAL AT NORTHAMPTON. 
 
 |?§§lpsS A N Y a long year has passed since the ancient town of Northampton 
 ^i^'yl^ '■•"'' P resen ted a scene of similar bustle and activity to that which it bore 
 
 5-^MWHlP) ** or severa l days previous to her Majesty's visit, and as the hour of 
 ~<s&££Q* h er Majesty's approach arrived, the whole population appeared to 
 be vieing wi'h each other in their attempts to honour the auspicious visit of their 
 beloved Sovereign and her Royal Consort. Along the route through which it 
 had been arranged for the royal carriages to pass, every house exhibited, more 
 or less, the enthusiasm of its inhabitants in giving effect to this feeling of loyalty 
 and affection. Festoons of evergreens and flowers floated across all the principal 
 streets, and no fewer than four magnificent triumphal arches, tastefully designed, 
 had been thrown across the road at different parts of the town. The first of 
 these was situated just below the old castle hill, on the Dallington side of the 
 
 10 
 
THE ROYAL PROGRESS TO BURGHLEY HOUSE. 
 
 river. The second was placed in Mare Fair, the style of which was Eliza- 
 bethan, in keeping with Burghley House ; the design consisting of three arches, 
 a large one in the centre and two smaller ones on either side, — the span of the 
 centre arch was about fourteen feet that of each of the smaller ones measuring 
 five feet. Four pillars supported this ornamental piece of architecture ; the two 
 great ones, upon which the centre arch was formed, were six feet square and 
 twenty-eight feet high ; the other two were four feet square and sixteen feet high : 
 including the decorative turrets, the height of the two larger pillars was forty feet 
 each, that of the two smaller ones about twenty-one feet each, the whole being 
 surmounted by a crown, over which the royal standard floated. The inscrip- 
 tion, " Welcome Victoria and Albert," was painted in large characters at the 
 upper part, and the lower portion was decorated with evergreens and flowers. 
 The third arch, even more colossal, was situated at the side of All Saints' church- 
 yard, and nearly opposite the George Hotel ; this also bore a similar inscription, 
 and was, like the others, a very imposing structure. The fourth arch, the most 
 admirable of the whole, was erected at the eastern extremity of the town, at the 
 top of Abington Street. 
 
 In addition to these arches, a temporary wooden structure was erected on the 
 site of the ancient castle, of which only a small portion of the walls remain, the 
 extent and massive character of the fortification being gathered chiefly from 
 the rising ground or eminence on which the original building stood. The castle 
 which was thus theatrically restored, was built after the Conquest, by Simon de 
 St. Liz, on whom the Conqueror conferred the earldom of Northampton ; this 
 interesting scene, in some degree, partook of the scenic preparations for a tourney. 
 
 In front of All Saints' church, a spacious platform was also erected for the 
 accommodation of all the Sunday-school children in the town. It was intended 
 on her Majesty's arrival at this point, to greet her with the " National Anthem" 
 in full chorus by the juvenile choristers ; but an unfortunate accident, pro- 
 videntially attended with but slight personal injury, alarmed the children, and 
 destroyed the effect of a very pleasing arrangement. About an hour before her 
 Majesty's arrival, the centre of the platform gave way, owing to the looseness of 
 
 cm 
 
 n 
 
THE ROYAL PROGRESS TO BURGHLEY HOUSE. 
 
 the soil on which it was erected, and a scene of considerable confusion ensued ; 
 the children were, however, rapidly removed, and order was very speedily restored. 
 Another casualty occurred on Black Lion Hill, where a portion of the old castle 
 wall gave way, and forced down a temporary erection for the accommodation 
 of the public : fortunately, inconvenience was all the occupants had to com- 
 plain of. 
 
 Daybreak was ushered in by merry peals — the royal standard floated from 
 all the church steeples ; and from an early hour, notwithstanding the rain, which 
 continued falling for some time, the town presented an appearance of unwonted 
 animation. But though the morning broke thus inauspiciously, before noon 
 the clouds cleared off and the sun burst forth, adding to the beauty of the scene, 
 and setting off the preparations to the greatest advantage. 
 
 Every house was either decorated with laurels or festoons, and almost 
 every one had banners. Between ten and eleven o'clock preparations were 
 made for forming the procession. The " Odd Fellows" and " Protestant Con- 
 federates" appeared first ; shortly afterwards the Mayor, corporation, and several 
 of the gentry of the county and borough, headed by a numerous band, moved 
 from the Town-hall in procession through the principal streets to the West 
 Bridge, where it had been arranged they should meet the cortege, and precede 
 it through the town. About this time a detachment of the 64th Regiment, 
 with their admirable band, arrived from the barracks ; a portion of them 
 were stationed at short intervals throughout the line, to keep the road clear, 
 and the remainder formed a guard of honour opposite the George Hotel. The 
 appearance of the town at this time was exceedingly beautiful ; nothing could 
 be more picturesque than the line from Black Lion Hill, up Mare Fair, Gold 
 Street, Mercer's Row, and Abington Street, every house being most profusely 
 decorated with evergreens and transparencies, inscribed with mottoes and senti- 
 ments indicatory of the affectionate feeling towards the Queen and the Prince 
 Consort ; it is needless to add, that every window was occupied, and many 
 persons had taken up their stations on the roofs of the houses, to obtain 
 a view of the royal cortege as it passed. At half-past twelve o'clock the first 
 
THE ROYAL PROGRESS TO BURGHLEY HOUSE. 
 
 glimpse of the troop of Hussars forming the royal escort was obtained, and 
 immediately after, the bright liveries of the outriders came in sight, succeeded 
 by the Queen's carriage drawn by four splendid bays. A salute from the 
 cannon in the old castle grounds, announced to the inhabitants in the centre 
 of the town the arrival of her Majesty. On arriving at the West Bridge, the 
 outriders slackened pace, and the horses in the royal carriage were immediately 
 pulled up, and proceeded at a foot pace up Black Lion Hill, the Mayor and 
 corporation, clergy, and inhabitants, heading the cavalcade in the following 
 order : — 
 
 Superintendent of Borough Police. 
 
 Twenty-five 
 
 Special 
 
 Constables. 
 
 Six Special Constables. 
 Twenty-five 
 
 Six Special Constables. 
 Twenty-five 
 
 Gentlemen 
 
 with white 
 
 wands. 
 
 Gentlemen 
 
 with white 
 
 wands. 
 
 Twenty-five 
 
 Special 
 Constables. 
 
 Constables 
 
 of the 
 Borough. 
 
 John Jeffery. 
 T. B. Hewlett. 
 Wro. Higgins. 
 J. Adnett. 
 Wm. Borton. 
 
 G. Buxton. 
 T. Hagger. 
 
 \V. Hollis. 
 
 W. Dennis. 
 J. P. Lloyd. 
 W. Dunkley. 
 H. Marshall. 
 Geo. Jeffery. 
 
 J. Marshall. 
 T. Sharpe. 
 
 S. Walker. 
 
 r 
 
 Constables 
 
 of the 
 Borough. 
 
 Four Trumpeters 
 Flags. 
 Band of Music. 
 Gentry. 
 Clergy. 
 Corporation Flags. 
 Sergeants at Mace. 
 Coroner, George Abbey, Esq. ; and Officers of the Corporation. 
 Town Council — Four and Four. 
 Councillors : 
 John Groom. 
 Francis Parker. 
 Thomas Phipps. 
 Wm. Perrin. 
 Jos. Wykes. 
 Edward Cook. 
 Mace Bearer. 
 Magistrates : 
 H. L. Stockburn. 
 W. Williams. 
 Aldermen : 
 W. Porter. 
 
 The Mayor, 
 E. H. Barwell, Esq. 
 
 ROYAL CORTEGE. 
 
 Carriages and Horsemen. 
 
 Lodges of various Societies. 
 
 The Manchester Lodge of Odd Fellows. The Nottingham Lodge of Odd Fellows. 
 
 Three Lodges of the Protestant Association, &c, &c, &c. 
 
 The royal cortege consisted of three carriages-and-four, in the first of which 
 rode her Majesty and the Prince Consort, the second and third conveying the 
 
 13 
 
 Town Clerk, 
 John Hensman, Esq. 
 
 Chaplain, 
 Rev. W. Wales. 
 
THE ROYAL PROGRESS TO BURGHLEY HOUSE. 
 
 lords and ladies in attendance ; these were succeeded by carriages and horsemen, 
 the rear of the procession consisting of the members of the various lodges and 
 societies bearing wands, and having white favours on their breasts. Nothing could 
 exceed the enthusiasm of the people as the party passed through the town. On 
 arriving at the top of Gold Street, the royal carriage halted for a few moments 
 opposite the George Hotel, where the Mayor, by the express permission of her 
 Majesty, advanced and presented the address of congratulation from the corporation 
 and inhabitants of the borough, of which the following is a copy :— 
 
 "TO THE QUEEN'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY. 
 
 " The Humble Address of the Mayor, Magistrates, Aldermen, and Councillors of the Borough 
 
 of Northampton. 
 
 " Most Gracious Sovereign —We, your Majesty's faithful subjects, the Mayor, Magistrates, Alder- 
 men, and Councillors of the borough of Northampton, beg leave to approach your Majesty to hail your 
 Majesty's auspicious pre-ence in this ancient borough. 
 
 " We beg to assure your Majesty of the devoted loyalty and attachment of this town, and that all 
 classes of its inhabitants are deeply sensible of the benefits enjoyed under your Majesty's enlightened rule. 
 We most earnestly pray, that under the protection of Divine Providence, your Majesty's reign may be 
 long, prosperous, and peaceful ; and that your Majesty's subjects may long feel the benignant influence of 
 those private virtues which adorn your Majesty and your Majesty's illustrious Consort, and which endear 
 your Majesty to the hearts of the people." 
 
 To this address her Majesty was graciously pleased to make an immediate 
 reply, not reading from any previously prepared document, but framing her answer 
 on the spot as she uttered it. Her Majesty's answer was to the following effect :— 
 
 " Mr. Mayor, — We receive the address with great pleasure from the Mayor, Magistrates, and Cor- 
 poration of this town. We are grateful for the reception we have met with from the inhabitants of this 
 ancient borough. You will place the address in the hands of the Lord Chamberlain, and an answer will 
 be sent." 
 
 Renewed cheers followed the conclusion of this ceremony, and then the pro- 
 cession moved forward in the same order as before, passing in its course under 
 the other triumphal arches before described. Her Majesty expressed herself in 
 warm terms in approval of her reception, and evinced a considerable degree of 
 gratified surprise at the extent of the decorations, observing—" They are, indeed, 
 
 14 
 
THE ROYAL PROGRESS TO BURGHLEY HOUSE. 
 
 very beautiful ! " When the royal cortege had passed through the last of these, 
 raid reached the Kettering road, the municipal authorities defiled off, remaining 
 uncovered, while her Majesty proceeded towards Kettering, the horses of the 
 royal carriages resuming their former quick pace. 
 
 In the evening, the Mayor and corporation, with the principal inhabitants of 
 the town, dined together in celebration of her Majesty's visit, at the Angel Iim, 
 E. H. Harwell, Esq., in the chair, Christopher Markham, Esq., being vice- 
 chairman. A magnificent display of fireworks took place on the Market Square, 
 at seven o'clock, which was attended by some thousands of persons ; the wc^th^r 
 was fortunately fine during the display, and for a couple of hours the fireworks 
 and the illuminations of many of the principal houses gave the town a very gay 
 appearance. On the following evening there was a ball at the George Hotel, which 
 was numerously and fashionably attended. 
 
 The royal cortege soon reached Buttocks Booth, a spot about three or four 
 miles distant from Northampton. This i^ not a village or a hamlet, but a place 
 where a single road-side inn is situated ; yet, as it was known that the horses of the 
 royal carriages would here be changed, a very considerable number of persons, 
 were congregated near the place. Among them were the members of a friendly 
 club, belonging to a neighbouring village, who came to the spot with staves in 
 their hands, attended by their band, and with colours flying ; and while the horses 
 of her Majesty's carriages were being changed, which was of course only an affair 
 of a minute or two, the band of this society struck up " God save the Queen," 
 which they executed with great spirit, evidently inspired by the enthusiasm and 
 loyalty which manifested themselves in every quarter, and amongst every class. It 
 is a curious circumstance, that the day on which these villagers welcomed the 
 coming of their Sovereign, happened to fall in the week when their village festival 
 or wake occurs, and which they were then keeping. 
 
 In passing onto Kettering, the small roadside village of Bvoughton is passed; 
 this, like all the rest of 'he places on the route, was most gaily decorated 
 with triumphal arches : indeed, throughout the whole of her Majesty's progress 
 from Buckingham Palace to Burghley, there could not have been witnessed 
 
 15 
 
t^a^L 
 
 _^P 
 
 THE ROYAL PROGRESS TO BURGHLEY HOUSE. 
 
 J 
 
 more genuine loyalty and attachment to her royal person than was displayed 
 by the inhabitants of this rural village. From the head of the place, the Hon. 
 and Rev. James Douglas, down to the poorest inmate of a cottage, could be 
 heard but one expression of joy and gratification at an opportunity being 
 afforded them of seeing in person their youthful and beloved Sovereign. At 
 an early hour in the morning, numbers of the labouring population from the 
 neighbouring villages, clad in holiday attire, were to be seen hastening to the 
 place, and stationing themselves in such situations as each might think most 
 favourable for obtaining a sight of their beloved Queen. The entrance to the 
 village on the Northampton road was decorated with an elegant triumphal 
 arch, erected by Mr. Lea, bearing the inscription on one side, " Welcome 
 Victoria," and on the other "V. A. ;" there was also another triumphal arch, 
 equally admired for its tasty and appropriate decorations, erected at the 
 Kettering end of the village by Mr. Thompson, bearing the inscription on 
 one side, " Victoria, Albert," and on the other side, " Fear God, Honour the 
 Queen :" both these arches were surmounted by elegant crowns, covered with 
 dahlias and other flowers from the famed gardens at the Rectory, the Union 
 Jack floating from either side ; the evergreens of which they were com- 
 posed were also supplied from the same place, assisted by others from the 
 gardens of J. C. Rose, Esq., of Cransley, together with a magnificent holly 
 of many years' growth, which was cut down for decorations on the occasion by 
 Mr. W. Garratt, of Rroughton. Along the whole line of street through which 
 the royal cortege had to pass, were suspended various flags, bearing the royal 
 arms, " God save the Queen," and other appropriate inscriptions ; many others 
 projected from the windows of the houses ; the Union Jack, presented by 
 the Hon. Mr. Douglas, floated majestically from the spire of the church ; 
 and a device of autumnal flowers in front of Miss Roughton's house was much 
 admired. As the hour of her Majesty's arrival approached, an excellent band, 
 engaged for the occasion from Gilmorton, in Leicestershire, was stationed about 
 the centre of the village, and numerous carriages, filled with elegantly-attired 
 ladies, and the juvenile members of their families, were seen driving to the 
 
 16 
 
THE ROYAL PROGRESS TO BURGHLEY HOUSE. 
 
 residence of the Rev. H. R. Burdett, the curate of the place, and notwith- 
 standing the unfavourable state of the weather, many of the ladies occupied 
 places in his tastily-decorated garden, and seemed to enter most heartily into 
 the joyous occasion of their meeting. Loud huzzas at a distance announced 
 the approach of her Majesty; and as the royal cavalcade passed by, the band 
 played the National Anthem, when all around joined in singing with heart 
 and voice, " God save the Queen." Her Majesty passed through the village 
 at a moderate pace, and was cheered most enthusiastically as she passed along 
 by the anxious spectators on either side of the road. Immediately after the 
 royal passage, a general rush was made to the field appropriated to rustic 
 sports, which was kindly lent for the occasion by Mr. Douglas ; the weather 
 being still unfavourable, the ladies of the village and neighbourhood were accom- 
 modated with rooms commanding a view of the sports by Mr. T. Pulver. The 
 games commenced with climbing for legs of mutton on the top of high poles, 
 which was followed by foot-races of all descriptions for gown-pieces, shoulders 
 of mutton, geese, a couple of ducks, a smock-frock, a new hat, &c, together 
 with wheelbarrow races, donkey races, foot hurdle races, and every rustic game 
 that could be thought of. The whole of the prizes were contributed by the 
 farmers and tradespeople of the place, under whose direction the sports passed off 
 with the highest glee and good humour ; those prizes that were not competed for 
 on the Tuesday were run for on the following Friday. The day's amusements con- 
 cluded with fireworks, but in consequence of the rain, much of their beauty was 
 destroyed. The sum of money collected for the festivities amounted to £41 6s., 
 towards which sum his Grace the Duke of Buccleuch contributed £8, and the Hon. 
 and Rev. J. Douglas, £5. Too much praise cannot be given to the gentlemen 
 of the committee for their exertions on the occasion ; and it may be remarked, 
 that the behaviour of the inhabitants of Broughton, throughout the whole of 
 their festivities, was in every respect such as became true and loyal subjects, 
 who not only know but feel it to be their duty to " fear God and honour 
 the Queen." 
 
 e >3% 
 
 iT -<s* 
 

 KETTERING. 
 
 E inhabitants of this town had made extensive arrangements 
 C^y to demonstrate their loyalty. The Kettering troop of yeomanry, 
 j^- fo"& under the command of Captain Maunsell, M.P., were in readi- 
 tgZ&mSM^h ness to receive her Majesty at the White Hart Hotel, whilst 
 the elite of the town and neighbourhood crowded its windows and those of the 
 adjacent houses. At the entrance to Kettering a handsome triumphal arch 
 was erected, covered with laurel, and surmounted with a royal crown ; the 
 words " Welcome Victoria" being figured on it with various flowers. In front of it, 
 ranged on each side of the road, were a great number of wagons, which were occu- 
 pied by the juvenile population of the town, of both sexes, who evidently were 
 highly delighted at the opportunity thus considerately afforded them of getting 
 a peep at their Queen, for they raised their little voices in the most joyous 
 acclamations. These applauders of their Sovereign were the boys and girls 
 belonging to the different charitable institutions of instruction in the neighbour- 
 hood, including those of the Church of England and every other religious 
 denomination. Within the town itself the same loyal feeling was manifested 
 as at Northampton, and here likewise the inhabitants had resolved to make 
 the day one of jubilee ; the houses were gaily decorated, evergreens and flowers 
 being mixed together with admirable variety and taste. 
 
 Her Majesty arrived at Kettering about a quarter-past two o'clock, having 
 been preceded there by the Marquis of Exeter, who reached the place ten 
 minutes sooner on horseback, and whose arrival in advance served as a signal 
 to the multitude of the approach of their beloved Sovereign. The whole of the 
 population lined the streets through which her Majesty passed. Her Majesty, 
 during her progress through the town was received with the most loyal acclama- 
 tions ; and the shouts of welcome with which she was greeted were deafening in the 
 extreme. Her Majesty's carriages drove up to the hotel, where every suitable 
 
THE ROYAL PROGRESS TO BURGHLEY HOUSE. 
 
 preparation for the occasion bad been made ; and during the change of horses 
 which here took place, her Majesty and suite alighted, passing (in their way to the 
 apartments which had been prepared for them) through the entrance hall of 
 the hotel, which was lined with elegantly-dressed ladies. On her Majesty's alight- 
 ing the band of the Kettering yeomanry commenced playing "God save the 
 Queen," and simultaneously the whole of the multitude about the place joined in 
 the chorus. 
 
 About half-past two o'clock her Majesty left, on her way to Weldon, escorted 
 by a body of the Kettering yeomanry, under the command of Lieutenant Booth, 
 amidst the cheers and blessings of the population ; and the evening closed at 
 Kettering as harmoniously as the day began. This occasion, which will never be 
 forgotten by the inhabitants, was celebrated by a public dinner in the evening 
 (J. C. Gotch, Esq., in the chair), at which the healths of the Queen and Prince 
 Albert were toasted with the utmost enthusiasm. 
 
 At a distance of two miles from Kettering is the village of Weekley, on the 
 right of which stands Boughton House, the ancient seat of the Montagu family, 
 and now of the Duke of Buccleuch. A fine view of the magnificent front of this 
 mansion is obtained from the road. An arch was erected in the village. 
 
 The scenery here is extremely beautiful, and the attractions of the locality 
 are much increased by the remarkably fine timber with which the domain is 
 studded. It is estimated that on the Boughton estate there are avenues of 
 elm trees extending to no less than forty miles, all of which, now in full growth, 
 it is said were planted by John, Duke of Montagu, who, from his peculiar taste, 
 obtained the soubriquet of " John the Planter." Perhaps the most interesting 
 locality throughout her Majesty's journey on Tuesday was that which immedi- 
 ately succeeded to the one just described. At about the distance of one mile 
 from Weekley is situated the village of Geddington, where still exists, in a re- 
 markably fine state of preservation, one of those beautiful crosses erected by the 
 pious zeal of King Edward I., in memory of his beloved Queen Eleanor, at 
 the different stages where her remains rested on their route from the north 
 to the metropolis. Only three of these interesting memorials now exist, — one 
 
 rjm 19 
 
THE ROYAL PROGRESS TO BURGHLEY HOUSE. 
 
 within two miles of Northampton, one at Waltham, in Hertfordshire, and 
 another situated as above described, in the centre of the village of Gedding- 
 ton ; the latter, however, unlike the other two, is in a perfect state of 
 preservation. 
 
 The route from Geddington for a distance of five miles is rather uninterest- 
 ing, and nothing occurred worthy remark till they reached the ancient town 
 of Weldon — now dwindled to a village ; where, at the King's Arms, the royal 
 party again changed horses. Here a small arch of evergreens was erected, and 
 no less than five flags hung from different parts of the premises ; one bearing 
 the arms of the Winchilsea family, and another those of Lord Exeter, whilst 
 the others bore various loyal inscriptions. Of course a vast concourse of persons 
 had assembled here also, by whom her Majesty was most enthusiastically 
 cheered ; both her Majesty and the Prince acknowledging the salutations of 
 the people most kindly. A little further on, between Weldon and Bulwick, 
 the royal party passed the seat of the Earl of Cardigan, at Deene Park. Here 
 a very large and handsome arch was thrown across the road, constructed in 
 imitation of masonry, and very happily executed. But a more interesting sight 
 was the junction of Lord Cardigan's tenantry, who mustered in great numbers 
 by the roadside, and fell in with the royal cortege, saluting her Majesty with 
 hearty cheers. By this time the followers of the royal party had very considerably 
 increased; at every point of the wayside, some few additions were made of 
 horsemen or vehicles, and the appearance of such a large body proceeding at so 
 rapid a rate, preceded by the soldiers and the royal carriages with the outriders 
 in their scarlet coats, was particularly striking. 
 
 The next place of any importance which her Majesty reached, after leaving 
 Weldon, was the village of Bulwick, a long, straggling, winding street, not very 
 favourable to the rapid movement of a large body of people. Here there was a 
 triumphal arch : the houses were decorated, the wayside lined with people, the 
 windows swarming with faces ; and as the royal party passed through, the inha- 
 bitants cheered most enthusiastically. In the centre of the village there is a 
 bridge over the Welland, where also many people were collected. Shortly 
 
 ' : mi 
 
THE ROYAL PROGRESS TO BURGHLEY HOUSE. 
 
 after the royal party passed the seat of Lord Carbery, Laxton Park, and a little 
 further on, Fineshade Hall, the seat of Colonel Monckton ; at which place 
 another party of Lancers was ready to escort her Majesty, and, as they fell in, 
 the previous escort returned. 
 
 From Fineshade to Duddington, where the property of Lord Exeter com- 
 mences, the distance is short, the country fiat, and not very interesting ; but it 
 was rendered so on the present occasion by the numbers of people who, notwith- 
 standing the rain, thronged to see the Queen. At a short distance on this side of 
 Duddington the royal cortege received another accession, the Marquis of Exeter 
 having requested the whole of his tenantry to mount and form in line on either 
 side of the way to receive her Majesty. The nature of the road happens 
 to be favourable to such a display, as it suddenly widens at this part, and 
 as the royal carriages advanced towards the appointed spot, the tenants, to 
 the number of between four and five hundred, were seen drawn up, presenting a 
 really imposing sight. Having saluted her Majesty with a hearty cheer as she 
 passed by, they followed, headed by Mr. Higgs, Lord Exeter's steward, in the 
 wake of the royal carriages on to Burghley. With this immense accession, the 
 royal cortege had grown into an enormous moving column, swelled by the addition 
 of multitudes of vehicles ; the effect, as seen from a short distance, was exceed- 
 ingly grand. On no occasion during her royal visits has her Majesty met with 
 a reception or with an escort more worthy of the loyalty of the gentry and yeomen 
 of England. 
 
 At Duddington, a very splendid arch had been erected by the noble Marquis ; 
 where were also two smaller arches. In the village itself there was a number of 
 decorations, and the inhabitants were assembled in crowds ; the houses were also 
 decorated with evergreens and flags, and the children of a large school were 
 placed on a sort of platform in front of one of the houses, bearing flags and a 
 banner inscribed, " Long live the Queen — Bless Victoria and Prince Albert." From 
 Duddington to Stamford, a distance of about five miles, the road presented a con- 
 tinuous scene of excitement and enthusiasm ; and it can scarcely be necessary to 
 repeat that the wayside was filled, at intervals, with people and with vehicles of 
 
 & a 
 
THE ROYAL PROGRESS TO BURGHLEY HOUSE. 
 
 ^%r 
 
 $ 
 
 every kind, from the carriages of the gentry down to the humblest cart ; the 
 same scene that had presented itself all the way down being repeated here, 
 except that it was on a much larger scale from the greater number of people 
 collected. 
 
 At Easton, a small village close to Stamford, there was a triumphal arch ; 
 and at Wothorpe there was another splendid one, erected at the expense 
 of the Marquis of Exeter, having spires to the turrets which formed the 
 sides of the arch, and, in the centre, the royal arms. This point commands 
 almost the only good prospect on the road, presenting an excellent view of a part 
 of Stamford, and of the fine steeples of the churches, some of which are of par- 
 ticularly handsome architectural design. 
 
 From Wothorpe to Stamford the distance is very short. At the entrance to 
 the borough a handsome arch was erected, also an enormous platform by 
 the side of the road, for the accommodation of visiters and residents, which was 
 surmounted by a flag, and inscribed, " Long live the Queen!" There must have 
 been at least two or three thousand people there : it is needless to say that they 
 cheered her Majesty most warmly as she passed. As the progress of the royal 
 cortege was necessarily somewhat slower, owing to the conflux of people, those 
 who were stationed upon the platform must have had a good view of the royal 
 party. This platform extended to the corner of the road as it enters Stamford, 
 the road to Burghley turning off to the right. 
 
 The ancient town of Stamford has been frequently honoured with visits by 
 English sovereigns : in chivalric times it was the scene of tilts and tournaments ; 
 but its chronicle of splendour is dimmed with many a sad episode of battle and 
 siege, persecution, and unjust triumph. Parliaments and councils of war have 
 been held here ; and so severely did the town suffer in the protracted strife of 
 York and Lancaster, that it never afterwards recovered its ancient dignity. 
 Turning to its more pacific and festal celebrity, we find it to have entertained 
 Edward IV., Henry VIII. , Elizabeth, James I., and Charles I. ; Cromwell's 
 visit was a less agreeable event to the inhabitants. In 1646, Charles here 
 found a patriotic reception, on his escape from " the Protector ; " and the last night 
 
 I W 
 
THE ROYAL PROGRESS TO BURGHLEY HOUSE. ^ 
 
 e5] 
 
 the poor King may be said to have slept a free man, was at Stamford. Elizabeth 
 and James I. (the latter on his journey from Scotland, in April, 1603, to ascend 
 the throne of England) visited Lord Burghley's newly-built mansion, as did 
 William III. ; and George IV., then Prince Regent, passed through the town 
 in the winter of 1813. 
 
 ARRIVAL AT STAMFORD. 
 
 AVING so frequently recorded the loyalty and affection of her 
 
 ' M* IV subjects, we are at a loss for terms in which suitably to represent 
 
 Jliii'v 3 ^ ie reception of her Majesty by the inhabitants of the borough 
 
 ■ of Stamford. 
 
 The corporation held a meeting, at which the following addresses were 
 
 agreed to : — 
 
 "TO THE QUEEN'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY. 
 
 " We, the Mayor, Aldermen, Burgesses, Clergy, and other Ministers, and the inhabitants at large 
 of your Majesty's ancient and loyal borough of Stamford, most humbly and respectfully solicit permission 
 to approach your Majesty. 
 
 " We feel that we cannot adequately express the deep sense which we entertain of your Majesty's 
 condescension in honouring Stamford with your presence ; and we desire most gratefully to acknowledge 
 the distinguished privilege accorded to us of thus conveying to your Majesty the assurance of our 
 devoted attachment to your Majesty's sacred person, family, crown, and dignity. 
 
 " That your Majesty's life may be long preserved for the happiness of your faithful subjects, that 
 your reign may be distinguished by the continued glory and increasing prosperity of this great country, 
 and that a gracious Providence may visit your Majesty and your Royal Consort with every personal 
 and domestic blessing, is our most sincere and earnest prayer. 
 
 " Given under the common seal of the said borough, the 12th day of November, 
 in the eighth year of your Majesty's reign." 
 
 23 
 
THE ROYAL PROGRESS TO BURGHLEY HOUSE. 
 
 " TO HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCE ALBERT. 
 
 " We, the Mayor, Aldermen, and Burgesses, Clergy, and other Ministers, and inhabitants at large 
 of the borough of Stamford, beg to approach your Royal Highness with the tribute of our unfeigned 
 respect. 
 
 " As the faithful and devoted subjects of our Queen, we feel that we cannot but most thankfully 
 acknowledge the goodness of Divine Providence, in uniting her Majesty to a Consort so calculated to 
 promote her happiness. 
 
 " The personal qualities which distinguish your Royal Highness, while they add lustre to your 
 position, have greatly endeared your Royal Highness to the British people ; and we rejoice in the 
 opportunity thus specially afforded us of testifying the admiration which we, in common with the 
 rest of the people of this realm, entertain for your character and station. 
 
 " That every blessing may attend your Royal Highness is our trust and prayer. 
 
 " Given under the common seal of the said borough, the 12th day of November, 
 in the eighth year of her Majesty's reign." 
 
 The Mayor and corporation met her Majesty and Prince Albert at the boundary 
 of the borough, on the Wothorpe road to the Burghley lodges. The members of 
 the clubs and lodges, who accompanied the Mayor and magistrates, proceeded 
 on the road towards Wothorpe, where they formed in single lines on each side, 
 and on the arrival of the Queen, the municipal authorities formed in proces- 
 sion, and escorted her Majesty in the following order : — 
 
 The Clergy, Gentry, and Inhabitants, four abreast ; 
 
 The Members of the Council, the Magistrates ; the Mayor, with his Mace- 
 bearers ; and the several Clubs and Lodges, with their regalia and bands, bringing 
 up the rear. 
 
 The houses, even where the Queen did not pass, were decorated with ever- 
 greens and hung with flags, and there was an arch thrown across the street opposite 
 the George Hotel. At the other boundary of the town, on the way to Burghley, 
 there was also a very beautiful triumphal arch, handsomely decorated, and inscribed, 
 " Long live the Queen." Of course the streets were filled with people, and the 
 houses also swarmed with anxious and excited faces, betraying the utmost eager- 
 ness to obtain a glimpse of the royal visiters : by all classes of the inhabitants 
 her Majesty's reception was most enthusiastic. The procession continued at a 
 walking pace round Dr. Arnold's house, and so on towards Burghley : the arch 
 
 24 
 
THE ROYAL PROGRESS TO BURGHLEY HOUSE. 
 
 here was illuminated. A few hundred yards beyond this is the entrance to the 
 magnificent mansion of the Marquis of Exeter, and on arriving opposite the lodges, 
 the procession filed off on either side of the road. The grand entrance-gate was 
 very handsomely decorated ; also the preparation for its illumination at night, 
 with the words " Long live the Queen," and a splendid crown in variegated 
 lamps on each side. 
 
 In the evening about one hundred and fifty of the chief tenants dined at the 
 George, as guests of the Marquis of Exeter, and a great number of the tenantry 
 were also entertained, by the Marquis's invitation, at the other inns in the town. 
 
 Instead of an illumination, there was a subscription for an entertainment to 
 the school children and to the poor of Stamford, who were thus regaled at the 
 expense of their more wealthy neighbours — the Marquis of Exeter contributing 
 c£50 to the funds. At the Town-hall, the Blue Coat School, and at a large and 
 vacant house in Broad Street, committees met to carry out the arrangements. 
 
 Her Majesty is generally extremely fortunate as regards the weather, 
 in her excursions ; but this visit to the Marquis of Exeter threatened to 
 form a terrible exception to her general good fortune, — it rained heavily 
 during the latter part of the journey, and the deluge continued, with short 
 intervals, all night. Next day it was the same, or worse, — a weary, unbroken 
 pour, soaking the life, spirit, and beauty, out of everything and everybody. 
 The people of Stamford were loud in their lamentations, feeling that nothing 
 out of doors could be comfortably done in such weather ; but this did not 
 prevent Burghley from appearing what it is — one of the most magnificent 
 residences in England ; a stately palatial fabric, sometimes appearing, and 
 again hidden from the view among clumps of venerable trees, grey and moss- 
 grown, or forests of young saplings and underwood, growing in luxuriant 
 confusion over knoll and hollow, — here forming a noble vista of greenwood, 
 there tangled with the bosky growth of young forest, — and all this luxuriance 
 of vegetation extending far away, rising and falling in green slopes and hollows, 
 while the eye luxuriates in its richness of colouring, and its exquisite variety 
 of tone and tint. Amid this profusion of brake and glade rise the stately 
 
 25 
 
THE ROYAL PROGRESS TO BURGHLEY HOUSE. 
 
 towers of Burghley House, in all their quaint Elizabethan dignity ; their peaked 
 and arched windows, in all their variety of outline, recalling the days of the 
 stately cavaliers and dames of the court of Queen Bess, and realising most 
 perfectly the idea of those fine old English residences so beautifully sung 
 by Mrs. Hemans: — 
 
 " The stately homes of England! 
 
 How beautiful they stand, 
 Amid their tall ancestral trees, 
 
 Through all the pleasant land. 
 The deer across the greensward bound, 
 
 'Mid shade and sunny gleam, 
 And the swan glides past them, to the sound 
 
 Of some rejoicing stream." 
 
 -^7?&wfe- 
 
 THE ARRIVAL AT BURGHLEY HOUSE. 
 
 \ E R Majesty and Prince Albert arrived at Burghley House at half- 
 
 J| past four o'clock in the afternoon, and were received by the noble 
 
 H Marquis and Marchioness. Her Majesty saluted the Marchioness 
 
 ■^ very affectionately, and was immediately conducted by her noble 
 
 host and hostess to her private apartments. The Marquis of Exeter arrived 
 
 nearly three-quarters of an hour in advance, having, after leaving her Majesty at 
 
 Weedon, proceeded at a rapid pace, in order to be in time to receive her Majesty 
 
 at Burghley. 
 
 Altogether this reception of the Queen in Northamptonshire was as grati- 
 fying as any her Majesty had experienced in her different progresses. Nothing 
 could exceed the loyalty of her people : even the unfavourable state of the 
 weather, did not deter them from assembling, although, of course, they were 
 not in such numbers as they would otherwise have been. 
 
 26 
 
THE ROYAL PROGRESS TO BURGHLEY HOUSE. 
 
 THE BANQUET." 
 
 At eight o'clock in the evening a grand banquet was served in the Great Hall. 
 This vast apartment, of which a view is annexed, is situated at the south-eastern 
 angle of the princely pile, and is sixty-eight feet long and thirty broad, exclusive of 
 a recess, which is thirteen feet by nine, and is lighted by two large windows, one 
 pointed, the other square-beaded, and has an open roof of oaken arches, springing 
 from corbels, with handsome pendants. It has been supposed to be older than the 
 greater part of the mansion, but there is nothing in the style to warrant this 
 inference. The hall is paved with Ketton stone ; the chimney-piece is elaborately 
 sculptured in stone, with the arms of the Lord Treasurer Burghley in the centre, 
 and the back of the fire-grate bears the same arms in cast-iron, with the date 1571. 
 
 In the recess of the bay-widow stood a superb wine-cooler or cistern of 
 massive silver, weighing 3,800 ounces. Upon a sideboard at the south end of the 
 room, beneath a remarkably fine window, which is ornamented with richly 
 stained glass, representing the family arms and the insignia of the Most Noble 
 Order of the Garter, was a magnificent display of gold plate, some of which was 
 presented to the family by James II., Queen Anne, and George I. At the north 
 end of the room, at an elevation of upwards of twelve feet, is the music gallery, 
 which is capable of accommodating about fifty performers, and it is said that there 
 are few rooms in the kingdom more excellently constructed to give effect to 
 musical sounds. Among the fine pictures upon the walls is a portrait of Prince 
 Albert, which was hung up the previous day. The hall is lighted by ten superb 
 Gothic chandeliers, in character with the decorations of the apartment, which 
 are suspended from the roof. 
 
 Her Majesty sat at the centre of the table, Prince Albert being on her right, 
 and the Marquis of Exeter on her left hand. On the right of Prince Albert was 
 the Marchioness of Exeter, and on the left of the Marquis, Lady Portman. The 
 Duke of Bedford sat on the right of the Marchioness, and Lady Sophia Cecil on 
 his right ; Sir Robert Peel sat next Lady Sophia. The Duke of Rutland, Earl 
 
 :_ r ' 
 
 27 
 
THE ROYAL PROGRESS TO BURGHLEY HOUSE. 
 
 Delawarr, the Duchess of Bedford, the Earl of Jersey, Lord Stanley, and Lady 
 Willoughby sat opposite. 
 
 The following is a correct list of the company at the Banquet — The Queen, 
 Prince Albert, Lady Portman, the Lord Chamberlain, the Master of the Horse, 
 Mr. G. E. Anson, Colonel Buckley, Colonel Wylde, the Duke and Duchess 
 of Bedford, the Duke of Rutland, the Marquis and Marchioness of Exeter, the 
 Marquis of Northampton, the Marquis of Granby, Sir Robert Peel, the Earl 
 of Aberdeen, Earl Spencer, Lord Stanley, Lord Thomas and Lady Sophia 
 Cecil, Lord and Lady Charles Wellesley, Lord and Lady Willoughby, Lord 
 Lovaine, the Hon. Mr. Pierrepont, the Hon. Captain and Mrs. Spencer, Mr. and 
 Lady Caroline Tumour, Mr. and Lady Louisa Finch Hatton, Sir G. Clerk, 
 Sir Henry Dryden, Mr. Maunsell, Rev. Mr. Atley, and Mr. O'Brien. 
 
 The band of the Coldstream Guards was stationed in the gallery, and 
 performed several pieces of music. The Queen entered the dining-room at a 
 quarter past eight o'clock, the band playing the anthem. The only healths given 
 were " The Queen " (after which the anthem was again played), and " Prince 
 Albert" (the band playing the Coburg March). Her Majesty retired from the 
 dining-room at about half-past nine o'clock, and from the drawing-room at 
 a quarter before eleven o'clock. 
 
 HER MAJESTY'S APARTMENTS. 
 
 The gates of the entrance-porch are of a highly decorative arabesque pattern 
 of bronze, richly gilt, and approached by a flight of semicircular steps, which were 
 covered, as well as the vestibule and the various corridors, with crimson cloth. 
 All the apartments are exceedingly lofty, and of large proportions : those set apart 
 for her Majesty and Prince Albert are on the south side of the edifice, and com- 
 mand a series of delightful views over the surrounding country ; immediately in 
 front is a sloping lawn and a beautiful sheet of water. They are approached 
 between four pillars of lofty proportions, by the grand staircase, at the bottom 
 of which are two large and massive bronze vases, and in the centre a bust of Queen 
 
 W ~ T§^ 
 
t&KL JM 
 
 1m " " 1 
 
 ^ THE ROYAL PROGRESS TO BURGHLEY HOUSE. 
 
 Elizabeth, the walls being hung with tapestry, and the recesses ornamented with 
 sculptures. At the top is the ante-room, beyond this, the Queen's drawing- 
 room, the suite continuing into the private apartments of the Queen and his 
 Royal Highness, all the decorations of which were of the most elaborate and costly 
 description, the fauteuils, ottomans, couches, &c, being of the richest velvet, and 
 the fittings of the dressing-rooms, of silver gilt. The whole of these decorations 
 and arrangements were much praised by her Majesty, and were fitted up by 
 Mr. Browning, his lordship's architect, who also designed the triumphal arches so 
 much admired by the Queen on her entry into Burghley. 
 
 On the ground-floor, at the foot of the grand staircase, is the breakfast-room, 
 a noble apartment, and very magnificently furnished. The staircase is remarkable 
 for its elaborately decorated vaulted roof ; its pendants corresponding with those 
 of the timber-roof of the Great Hall. 
 
 THE STATE BEDS. 
 
 Burghley is sumptuously furnished with " state beds," and one of the most 
 superb of them is in " Queen Elizabeth's Bed-room," in the western first floor of 
 the mansion. This state bed has hangings of green velvet, on a ground of 
 gold tissue ; and in the room are a set of chairs, with covered seats of the 
 same manufacture. The apartment is hung with tapestry, the subjects being 
 Actaeon and Diana, Bacchus and Ariadne, and Acis and Galataea. Queen Elizabeth 
 is stated to have occupied the above bed on her visit to her Lord High Treasurer. 
 
 The state bed fitted up for her Majesty on the late visit, is altogether in a 
 different style from the Elizabethan meuble. Its carving is of very elegant design, 
 and the hangings are of the most costly description. The walls of this apartment 
 are also hung with choice paintings. 
 
 In one of the northern rooms, known as " the Black Bed-chamber," is an 
 ancient state-bed of black satin, superbly embroidered with flowers, and fined with 
 gold colour ; the whole of which has recently been restored by Miss Graham, and 
 is an exquisite specimen of needlework. This room is hung with fine old tapestry . 
 
 i 
 
 m® 
 
 29 ^-^-^ 
 
®s[J 
 
 THE ROYAL PROGRESS TO BURGHLEY HOUSE. 
 
 over the chimney are some of Gibbons's carvings, and the windows are beautifully 
 painted. 
 
 On Wednesday morning the Queen rose at an early hour, and breakfasted with 
 the Prince Consort in her private apartments. Before taking breakfast, however, 
 her Majesty, accompanied by Prince Albert, proceeded to the private chapel of the 
 mansion (where the other guests had already assembled) to perform her morning 
 devotions. 
 
 Throughout the whole of the day the rain continued to fall without inter- 
 mission until nearly four o'clock, when it ceased, and the evening became fine. 
 Her Majesty, in consequence of this unfavourable state of the weather, did not 
 leave the house, but devoted the day to inspecting the splendid collection of 
 pictures, one of the first in the kingdom, belonging to her noble host. Among 
 those which especially attracted her Majesty's attention was a painting of the 
 " Virgin and Child," by Castiglione, which was presented to Brownlow, Earl of 
 Exeter, by Gangannelli (Pope Clement XIV.), in 1774, under somewhat singular 
 circumstances : — His lordship being in the streets of Rome when the Pontiff was 
 passing in procession on a public occasion, joined in the adoration of the Catholics, 
 which so forcibly impressed his Holiness, that he wished to show some token of 
 respect to so polite a Protestant nobleman. Shortly afterwards the Earl, amusing 
 himself at the Vatican, expressed his admiration of this picture, and observed he 
 had none of the works of Castiglione in his collection at Burghley : this informa- 
 tion no sooner reached the ears of the Pope, than he ordered the picture to be 
 conveyed at an early hour the next morning to his lordship's lodgings. A 
 " Salvator Mundi," a chef d'ceuvre of Carlo Dolci, the " Death of Seneca," 
 by L. Giordano, and a fine picture of " Adam and Eve," by L. Caracci, 
 recently added to the collection of the present Marquis, also engaged her 
 Majesty's special attention. When it is considered, that in the collection at 
 Burghley there are paintings by Titian, Correggio, Raphael, Claude Lorraine, 
 Maratta, Spagnoletto, Rembrandt, Caravagio, Rubens, Guido, Domenichino, 
 Murillo, Baptiste, L. Da Vinci, and numerous others, it may be readily imagined 
 that her Majesty, who is a connoisseur in paintings, found ample subjects 
 
 30 
 
THE ROYAL PROGRESS TO BURGHLEY HOUSE. 
 
 of amusement. Her Majesty was conducted over nearly the whole of the 
 magnificent rooms in the house by her noble host, and afterwards went to 
 look at the kitchen, which is one of the most ancient and curious apartments in 
 the house, and is said to be a portion of the original mansion built by the 
 great Lord Burghley. It is situated on the south side of a spacious court, at 
 the east end of the building ; its dimensions are forty-eight feet by thirty ; the 
 roof is very lofty, and has a groined ceiling of earlier style even than the 
 old mansion. At one end is a large painting of a carcase of beef, an exhibition 
 of the true ensign-armorial of English hospitality. 
 
 THE CHRISTENING. 
 
 The ceremony of christening the infant daughter of the Marquis and Mar- 
 chioness of Exeter, took place in the evening at six o'clock, and was performed by 
 the Bishop of Peterborough, assisted by the Rev. H. Atley, the sponsors being 
 His Royal Highness Prince Albert, Hon. Lady Middleton, and Lady Sophia Cecil. 
 Her Majesty, who attended at the ceremony, and occupied the seat in which it 
 is stated Queen Elizabeth usually sat when attending Divine service at Burghley, 
 appeared to be very much interested, and, on the conclusion of the service 
 kissed the godchild of her Royal Consort. The infant, which was named after 
 Queen Victoria, was dressed in a white satin slip, over which was white muslin, 
 trimmed with elegant point lace ; her cap being also of silk, which was likewise 
 trimmed with point lace. Immediately after the ceremony, Prince Albert 
 presented to his little goddaughter a handsome gold cup and cover. This cup 
 stands about fifteen inches high, bearing a crown on the top; the sides are 
 ornamented with figures of Cupid bearing cymbals, and the whole elaborately 
 chased. This work of art bears the following inscription in the three compart- 
 ments into which it is divided : — 
 
 TO THE 
 
 LADY VICTORIA 
 
 CECIL, 
 
 FROM 
 
 HER GODFATHER, 
 
 ALBERT. 
 
 BURGHLEY, 
 NOVEMBER 13th. 
 
 1844. 
 
 31 
 
 M] 
 
THE ROYAL PROGRESS TO BURGHLEY HOUSE. 
 
 The whole of the nobility and other guests of the Marquis attended the cere- 
 mony, which took place in the chapel, a beautiful apartment, forty-two feet long, 
 thirty-five feet wide, and eighteen feet high, ornamented by festoons of fruit and 
 flowers, carved by Gibbons. The ceiling is of fretwork, and the sides are wains- 
 cotted half-way ; the pulpit, desk, and chairs, are of mahogany, and the commu- 
 nion-table and rails, of cedar — all modern. ' Arranged on the side are antique 
 figures, as large as life, in imitation of bronze, standing on altars, and bearing lamps 
 in their hands. 
 
 There is a large ante-room attached to the west end, and forming part of the 
 chapel, which is thirty-one feet six inches in length, and twenty-four feet in breadth ; 
 it is wainscotted from the ground to the ceiling, and fitted with open seats, for the 
 use of servants. Immediately over the altar is a painting, by Paul Veronese, of 
 " Zebedee's Wife petitioning Jesus Christ to dignify her Two Sons in Heaven." 
 There are six other paintings in the chapel, by the following masters : — " Solomon's 
 Idolatry," by Carlo Loti ; " Interview between Christ and Mary Magdalen, after 
 his Resurrection," by Liberi ; " Saul and the Witch of Endor," by Carlo Loti ; 
 " Adoration of the Shepherds," by Liberi ; " Jephtha's Vow," by L. Giordano ; 
 " Finding of Moses," by Carlo Loti. 
 
 The dinner party, besides her Majesty and Prince Albert, and the Marquis and 
 Marchioness of Exeter, included Lady Portman, Hon. Miss Liddell, Earl Dela- 
 warr, Lord Burghley, Mr. G. E. Anson, Col. Arbuthnot, Col. Wylde, Duke of 
 Rutland, Marquis of Salisbury, Marquis of Granby, Earl of Aberdeen, Sir Robert 
 Peel, Sir James Graham, Lord Stanley, the Bishop of Peterborough, Mrs. Davys, 
 Earl and Countess of Gainsborough, Earl and Countess of Aboyne, Viscount and 
 Viscountess Alford, Lord and Lady Thomas Cecil and Lady Charles Wellesley, 
 Sir William and Hon. Lady Middleton, Lord Lovaine, Hon. H. Pierrepont, Hon. 
 Capt. and Mrs. Spencer, Lord Brooke, Sir George Clerk, Sir John Trollope, and 
 Rev. H. Atley, 
 
 In the evening, after the christening was over, a discharge of fireworks took 
 place at the back of the mansion. A considerable number of people from Stamford 
 and the neighbourhood had collected in the park to witness the display, and the 
 
 32 
 
THE ROYAL PROGRESS TO BURGHLEY HOUSE. 
 
 fireworks were also seen from the windows of the house by her Majesty and the 
 royal suite : though the rain which had fallen during the day prevented the effect 
 from being so grand as it would have been, still there was quite enough to afford 
 great gratification. The bridge in the park was most tastefully and brilliantly 
 illuminated; seen from a distance, its architecture glowing with rich light and 
 reflected in the water below, it formed an object of exquisite beauty. 
 
 On Thursday the weather was remarkably fine, and formed an agreeable con- 
 trast to that of the preceding day. Immediately after breakfast his Royal Highness 
 Prince Albert, accompanied by the Marquis of Salisbury, Sir Robert Peel, Lord 
 Stanley, and the Marquis of Granby, went out to shoot in the preserves at 
 Butlands, adjoining the park. After luncheon, the Queen honoured the town of 
 Stamford with a visit. At two o'clock most of the shops in the town were closed 
 in honour of the occasion, and exactly at half-past two the royal cavalcade left 
 Burghley. The first carriage, which was drawn by four horses, and contained the 
 Queen, his Royal Highness Prince Albert, the Marquis of Exeter, and Lady Port- 
 man, was preceded by two of Lord Exeter's outriders. This carriage was an open 
 one, and every one had an excellent view of the royal and illustrious party. In the 
 second carriage, which was also an open one, were seated Sir Robert Peel, Earl 
 Delawarr, Lady Sophia Cecil, and the Hon. Miss Liddell. In a pony phaeton, 
 which followed, were the Hon. Mrs. Spencer, and Hon. Lady Middleton. The royal 
 cavalcade proceeded through St. Martin's Street, St. John's Street, up High Street, 
 to the west entrance of the Infirmary, and then by St. Leonard's ; returning in front 
 of the infirmary, through St. Paul's Street, Ironmonger Street, Broad Street, 
 and Red Lion Square, to Burghley. During the royal progress through the town, 
 the bells of the various churches of the borough rang merry peals ; every window 
 along the entire route was decorated with royal standards, union-jacks, streamers, 
 and flags of every description, or some other token of love and attachment. 
 When opposite the Bede House, in Broad Street, the carriage in which were the 
 Queen and the Prince stopped for a moment, which afforded the Marquis of 
 Exeter an opportunity of drawing the attention of her Majesty to that excellent 
 institution. The streets through which her Majesty proceeded were crowded 
 
 £W E 33 
 
THE ROYAL PROGRESS TO BURGHLEY HOUSE. 
 
 by her loyal and devoted subjects, who evinced their affection by hearty 
 greetings. 
 
 On leaving the borough, the royal and noble party proceeded to Wotborpe, 
 where they inspected the ruins of the mansion, and other antiquities in the 
 neighbourhood. This seat is stated by Camden to have been built by Thomas 
 Cecil, the first Earl of Exeter, who pleasantly said, he built it only to retire to out 
 of the dust, while his great house at Burghley was sweeping. After the Restora- 
 tion, the Duke of Buckingham, with his family, resided in it for many years. 
 There are only the turrets (with cupolas similar to those of Burghley), and the 
 fragments of some walls, remaining, the greater part of the house was taken 
 down in 1758-9, and the materials employed in building the stables at Burghley. 
 
 In the afternoon, the Queen and Prince planted each a tree in Burghley park — 
 her Majesty a lime, and his Royal Highness an oak. The Queen's tree was set 
 near to a great lime which had been planted by Queen Elizabeth, on the occasion 
 of her visit to Burghley. 
 
 The following is a list of the company who dined at Burghley on Thursday : — 
 Her Majesty, the Prince, and the royal suite, the Marquis and Marchioness of 
 Exeter, Sir Robert Peel, the Marquis of Salisbury, the Marquis of Granby, the 
 Earl of Aberdeen, Earl Delawarr and Lady Mary West, Lord Burghley, Viscount 
 and Viscountess Hood, Viscount Milton, Hon. Mr. Fitzwilliam, Lord Brooke, Lord 
 Lovaine, Lord Thomas and Lady Sophia Cecil, Lord and Lady Charles Wellesley, 
 Lord and Lady Lilford, Sir James Graham, Hon. Captain and Mrs. Spencer, Hon. 
 Mr. Pierrepont, Sir George Clerk, Sir William and Hon. Lady Middleton, and the 
 Rev. Mr. Atley. 
 
 THE BALL. 
 
 In the evening there was a grand ball, which was honoured by the presence of 
 her Majesty. The company invited began to arrive at nine o'clock, and the 
 carriages continued setting down without intermission for nearly two hours. The 
 night being fine, a large number of persons were congregated in the park and at 
 
 l£ ^ 
 
 34 
 
THE ROYAL PROGRESS TO BURGHLEY HOUSE. 
 
 the great entrance of the hall to see the guests arrive. The servants of the 
 Marquis of Exeter were in attendance in their state dresses at the grand entrance, 
 and the guests as they arrived were ushered up to the large drawing-room, where 
 they were received by the noble Marchioness. There were about five hundred 
 persons present ; most of the noblemen and gentlemen being in military 
 uniform, court-dress, or official costume : when these were combined with the 
 gay and varied dresses of the ladies, whose waving plumes and brilliant gems were 
 exhibited to the greatest advantage in the countless lights of the chandeliers — and 
 when all of these, with the gorgeous decorations of the apartment, were seen 
 reflected and multiplied in the mirrors with which the ball-room was hung, the 
 effect was extremely beautiful and striking, and formed a most magnificent picture. 
 The following are the names of some of the nobility and gentry who were 
 present : — The Marquis and Marchioness of Exeter and Lord Burghley, the Earl 
 Delawarr, Earl of Jersey, Col. Arbuthnot, Col. Wylde, the Earl and Countess of 
 Aboyne, Mr. G. E. Anson, the Marquis of Granby, Sir R. Peel, the Earl of 
 Aberdeen, Lord Stanley, Sir J. Graham, Countess Delawarr, Lady Mary West, Lord 
 T. and Lady Cecil, Lord C. and Lady Wellesley, Hon. Capt. and Mrs. Spencer, Sir 
 W. and Hon. Lady Middleton, Lord Brooke, Sir G. Clerk, Lord Lovaine, Hon. 
 Mr. Pierrepont, Viscount and Viscountess Hood, Lord and Lady Lilford, Viscount 
 Milton, Hon. Mr. Fitzwilliam. Rev. H. Atley, Lady Portman, the Hon. Miss Liddell, 
 Sir Wm. Knighton, Bart., Hon. Mr. and Mrs. Watson, the Ladies Cust, Hon. Mr. 
 and Mrs. Cust, Lord and Lady Carrington, Rev. H. and Mrs. Chaplin, Mr. and 
 Mrs. Russell Ellis, General and Mrs. Johnson, Mr. and Mrs. P. Wilson, Lord 
 George Gordon, Lieut.-Colonel Sutton, Sir Richard Sutton and the Misses Sutton, 
 Miss Belgrave, Mr. and Mrs. Dacre, Sir George and Lady Robinson, Rev. Mr. 
 Eastwick, Lord Cranley, the Misses Wake, Mr. George Stopford, Mr. Munroe, 
 Mr. T. P. Maunsell, M.P., Lady Isham, Mr. Isham, Mr. Hopkinson, Captain 
 Trollope, Mr. and Mrs. Heathcote, Mr. and Mrs. Smyth, Mr. Smith, Mr. 
 Ades, Mr. Gillham, Sir R. Gunning, Mr. and Mrs. Mackworth Dolben, Rev. 
 T. and Mrs. Roberts, the Misses Wingfield, Mr., Mrs., and Miss Wing, Mr. 
 Hungerford, Mr., Mrs., and Mr. Charles Harrison, Mr. Bates, Sir John and 
 
 35 
 
THE ROYAL PROGRESS TO BURGHLEY HOUSE. 
 
 Lady Palmer, Mr. and Miss Palmer, Rev. W. and Mrs. Hillyard, Mr. W. 
 Freke, Mr. C. Turner, Mr. Cooper, Mr. and Mrs. Cayley, Lieutenant-General 
 and Mrs. Reynardson, Dr. and Mrs. Hopkinson, the Rev. Noel Twopeny, Mr. 
 and Mrs. Mark Jackson, Mr. Boulton, Captain Orme, the Rev. C. and Mrs. Atlee, 
 Miss Barnes, M r. and Lady Louisa Finch Hatton, the Rev. P., Mrs., and Miss 
 Wilson, Rev. F. E. and Miss Jones, Mr. Monckton, Mr. and Mrs. Henry O'Brien, 
 the Misses Atlee, Mrs. Arnold, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Heathcote, the Rev. N. and 
 Mrs. Walters, Dr. and Mrs. Willis, the Rev. Thomas Brown, the Rev. W. Spencer, 
 the Rev. W. M. and Mrs. Charlton, Mrs. and Miss Jackson, Mr., Mrs., Miss, and 
 Mr. John Wingfield, Mr. and Miss Thompson, the Rev. R., Mrs., and Miss Lucas, 
 Mr. Boultbee, Mr. and Miss Eaton, Mr. and Mrs. John Egleton, the Rev. Charles 
 and Mrs. Swan, the Rev. Charles and Mrs. Arnold, the Rev. C. P. and Mrs. 
 Worsley, Captain and Mrs. Grantham, the Rev. Thomas and Miss Mills, Mr. 
 Yorke, Dr., Mrs., and Miss Augusta Arnold, Hon. Col. and Mrs. Hely Hutchinson, 
 Mr. S. R. and Mrs. Fydell, Mr. John and Miss Tryon, Mr. H. Finch, Rev. C. and 
 Mrs. Ellicott, Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Baker, Rev. G., Mrs., and Miss Bateman, the 
 Misses Belgrave, Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Hustwick, Rev. R. and Mrs. Decker, Mr. and 
 Mrs. William Stop ford, Mr. and Mrs. Isted, Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Argles, the Mayor 
 of Northampton, the Mayor of Stamford, &c. 
 
 Her Majesty and Prince Albert entered the ball-room shortly after 10 o'clock, 
 and were conducted to the chairs of state which had been prepared for them at 
 the end of the room, on a dais surmounted by a handsome canopy of crimson 
 velvet fringed with gold. The Queen wore a circlet of diamonds, with necklace 
 and ear-rings to match, and a robe of white satin with flowers in raised silver 
 tissue. Several presentations took place after her Majesty's entrance ; and quad- 
 rilles, waltzes, &c, were kept up with great animation during the night. Neither 
 her Majesty nor Prince Albert joined in the dance, and the royal pair withdrew 
 from the ball-room before eleven o'clock. 
 
 Supper was announced at half-past eleven, and her Majesty and Prince Albert 
 honoured the company with their presence in the supper-room. Her Majesty only 
 remained a short time, and then retired for the night. During supper the 
 
 Ml 
 
 CFW~ 36 
 
THE ROYAL PROGRESS TO BURGHLEY HOUSE. 
 
 Coldstream band performed a number of airs, including the music of " Macbeth," 
 the English Quadrilles, selections from Rossini's " Stabat Mater," and La Polka. 
 After supper dancing was again resumed, and kept up with great spirit. At two 
 o'clock the company began to retire, and it was past three before the entire of the 
 sruests had left the hall. 
 
 The following ladies and gentlemen received invitations to the ball, but were 
 prevented accepting them : — the Duke and Duchess of Grafton, Lord Charles 
 Fitzroy, Earl of Euston, the Bishop of Peterborough and Mrs. Davys, Earl Fitz- 
 william, Lord and Lady Carbery, Lady Mary and Miss Fludyer, Mr. Whitfield, 
 Sir William Wake, Mr. and Mrs. Doncaster, Miss Barker, Mr. Barton, Mr. 
 and Mrs. Berry, Miss Hurst, Mrs. Arbuthnot, Lady Sophia Freke, Lord and 
 Lady Bateman and Hon. Miss Hanbury, Mrs. Gillham, Mrs. Bates, Mr. and Mrs. 
 Jones, Mr. and Mrs. Arundell, Mr. and Mrs. Leland Noel, Colonel and Mrs. 
 Bouverie, Mr., Mrs., and the Misses Bouverie, Mrs. Ellicott, Mr. Nevile, the 
 Archdeacon and Miss Bonney, Rev. F. Litchfield, Miss Twopeny, Miss Booth, 
 Mr. and Mrs. Gretton, Mrs. Snow, Lieutenant-Colonel and Mrs. Cartwright, Mr. 
 and Mrs. Cartwright, Mrs. Boone, Miss Try on, Mr. and Mrs. Webster, Mrs. 
 Lovick Cooper, Mr. Sowerby, and Mrs. Belgrave. 
 
 HER MAJESTY'S DEPARTURE FROM BURGHLEY HOUSE. 
 
 PT half-past nine o'clock on Friday morning her Majesty, Prince 
 M. . Albert, and the suite, left Burghley, on their return to London, 
 ^f^^^t ner Majesty having previously taken leave of the Marchioness of 
 ^Z&iJsm. Exeter and the rest of the family. The Marquis accompanied 
 her Majesty on horseback one stage, and then went on in his carriage, to be 
 ready to receive her Majesty at Weedon. All along the route from Stamford to 
 Kettering the same demonstrations of loyalty and affection were made by the 
 
 rj 
 m 
 
THE ROYAL PROGRESS TO BURGHLEY HOUSE. 
 
 people as on her Majesty's journey down. The triumphal arches had all remained 
 up, and the houses were very gaily decorated with flags, evergreens, &c. ; the 
 royal party changing horses at the same stages as before. 
 
 At Kettering there was a great demonstration by the people. Her Majesty and 
 suite again alighted at the White Hart Hotel, where they remained longer than on 
 the former occasion. During this interval the National Anthem was played by 
 the yeomanry band ; and when her Majesty and the Prince returned to their 
 carriage, there was a hearty burst of applause, which was repeated at intervals till 
 the royal party had clearly left the town. Before her Majesty left, she was 
 pleased to say that nothing could be more perfect than the arrangements for her 
 reception at Kettering. 
 
 It is remarkable that her Majesty's escort to Weldon was commanded by 
 Mr. Cockayne Maunsell, 12th Royal Lancers, and from thence to Kettering by 
 Mr. William Maunsell, Kettering Yeomanry, sons of T. P. Maunsell, Esq., com- 
 manding the Kettering Yeomanry Cavalry, who received her Majesty as her guard 
 of honour at Kettering, on her arrival at that place on Tuesday, and on her return 
 on Friday. 
 
 At Northampton her Majesty was received by the Mayor and corporation, and 
 a procession of the town-trades, in the same manner as on her journey down. 
 They preceded the royal carriages as they went at a walking pace through the 
 town. 
 
 At Weedon, both in the town and at the station, great numbers of people had 
 collected. The military (47th Foot) lined the road, and there was a guard of 
 honour, under the command of Captain Gordon. The Marquis of Exeter, who 
 had arrived previously, and Sir Henry Dryden, the high sheriff of the county, were 
 at the station to receive her Majesty. 
 
 At a quarter past two the approach of her Majesty was announced by the 
 elevation of the royal standard, and in a few minutes more the royal party entered 
 the station ; her Majesty and the Prince immediately proceeding to their 
 apartments. 
 
 It was, we believe, her Majesty's intention to continue her journey with all 
 
 38 
 
THE ROYAL PROGRESS TO BURGIILEY HOUSE. 
 
 possible despatch ; but one of the carriages, containing some members of the 
 suite, having been delayed by the heaviness of the roads, her Majesty was desirous 
 of not leaving Weedon without them. Her Majesty remained at the station till a 
 quarter to three o'clock, when the missing carriage not having r.rrived, her Majesty 
 was pleased to signify her intention to proceed. At this moment the carriage 
 arrived, and at a few minutes to three o'clock her Majesty and the Prince left the 
 state apartment for the royal carriage, accompanied by the Marquis of Exeter. 
 Immediately her Majesty and the Prince made their appearance within the station 
 they were enthusiastically received by the company there assembled. Previous 
 to entering the royal carriage, her Majesty and his Royal Highness shook hands 
 most cordially with the Marquis of Exeter. At about five minutes to three 
 o'clock the royal train started, hearty and reiterated cheering accompanying its 
 departure from the station. The regular train had not long preceded it, so that 
 great precaution was required ; the special train, however, came on at a rapid 
 rate, and reached the Camden Town station at ten minutes past five o'clock 
 From here the train was backed, and turned on the down line, reaching the 
 Euston terminus at twenty minutes past five o'clock. 
 
 Some parts of the journey were performed at very great speed. At Watford, 
 where the train stopped for a few seconds, the Prince remarked to the Directors 
 how very fast they had come. At the terminus, her Majesty expressed to 
 Mr. Glynn her satisfaction at the arrangements which had been made for her 
 accommodation on the railway. 
 
 A detachment of the 1 7th Regiment of Lancers, under the command of Lieut. 
 Ames, arrived at the station about three o'clock, and remained until her Majesty 
 arrived. After the royal carriages entered the station yard, the crowd, which 
 before was inconsiderable, greatly increased, and the most intense interest was 
 manifested to obtain a view of the Queen and her illustrious consort. The 
 passage leading from the railway to the rooms appropriated for her Majesty's use, 
 was, as on Tuesday, covered with scarlet cloth. 
 
 Shortly before five o'clock, the workmen employed in the carpenters' shops, 
 and other departments of the railroad, amounting to upwards of 200, formed 
 
 tt=^€ 
 
THE ROYAL PROGRESS TO BURGHLEY HOUSE. 
 
 themselves into a line at the end of the terminus, and when the royal cortege 
 arrived, gave loud and hearty cheers, which were warmly responded to by those 
 who had been admitted to witness her Majesty's arrival. 
 
 The Earl Delawarr, Lord Chamberlain, accompanied her Majesty to town, 
 the Earl of Liverpool and Earl of Jersey having left the station at Weedon 
 about an hour before the royal train, in order to be in readiness to receive 
 her Majesty on her arrival at Windsor. The royal cavalcade then drove off 
 at a rapid pace for the terminus of the Great Western Railway at Paddington, 
 escorted by the detachment of Lancers, where a train was in readiness to convey 
 her Majesty to Slough en route to Windsor. The greeting which her Majesty 
 and her Royal Consort received was most loyal and enthusiastic ; the cheers of the 
 populace, as the carriages passed under the principal entrance to the station were 
 unanimous, and appeared as if given from the heart. 
 
 Among the lasting memorials of the Queen's visit to Northampton, is the foun- 
 dation of " the Royal Victoria Dispensary," the subscriptions to which at the time 
 of publishing this work, had exceeded £ 1,000. 
 
 During the week more than sixty pair of horses were supplied from the George 
 Hotel, solely on account of her Majesty's visit. 
 
 On Thursday, a pair of Wellington boots, manufactured by Mr. H. Hull, was 
 presented by E. H. Barwell, Esq., the Mayor of Northampton, to his Royal 
 Highness Prince Albert, at Burghley, as a specimen of the staple trade of the town, 
 the workmanship of which was of a superior description, the fronts being of scarlet 
 velvet, interlaid with scrolls of black patent leather, the Prince of Wales's plume 
 neatly stitched in the centre, the scrolls round the top and front in white silk, and 
 the royal arms inside the lining, in gold. His Royal Highness personally expressed 
 to the Mayor his approbation of the skill exhibited by the manufacturer, who has 
 since received a formal acknowledgment of the present. 
 
 40 
 
*2s® 
 
 SOME ACCOUNT OF BURGHLEY HOUSE. 
 
 PON the northern or Lincolnshire border of the county of North- 
 
 $ ampton, at about a mile and a-half to the south-east of the river 
 
 || YVelland, which here forms the boundary between the two counties, 
 
 and separates the borough of Stamford, in Lincolnshire, from Stam- 
 
 <--wjy9 ford-Baron, in Northamptonshire, is the precise locality of this fine 
 
 old manorial mansion. 
 Northamptonshire, at the present day, contains nearly one hundred and fifty 
 seats, many of them in picturesque parks or grounds, and interesting for their 
 architectural beauty and historical associations. Indeed, the county has been, 
 for centuries, celebrated as the abode of illustrious personages *, and during the 
 reign of Elizabeth there lived in it the Lord High Treasurer and Prime 
 Minister, the Lord Chancellor, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and the Speaker 
 of the House of Commons. 
 
 But the most important " proper house and home" in the county, either as 
 regards extent or architectural character, is Burghley House, either built or 
 greatly improved by the Lord High Treasurer Burghley. There has been some 
 controversy as to the propriety of the name Burghley, or Burleigh. The author 
 of a description of the manor, published in 1797, says, that "from ancient times 
 to the present, both antiquaries and historians have written it ' Burleigh,' 
 affixing to different orthography exactly the same sound." He goes on to say : — 
 " It was sometimes written ' Burwell/ and sometimes ' Burley,' the manner in 
 which the late Earl of Wiuchilsea spelt the name of his contiguous seat on the 
 hill. To put it, however, entirely out of dispute, the Earls of Exeter have caused 
 its true spelling to be carved in the arched ceiling at the western entrance, 
 
 41 
 
 
^7 
 
 
 
 THE ROYAL PROGRESS TO BURGHLEY HOUSE. 
 
 where, in the roof under the passage to the court are escutcheons of the 
 family arms, in one of which is carved the inscription, " W. DOM. DE 
 BVRGHLEY, 1577." 
 
 This manor had, after being held by a variety of persons, at length been 
 sold to Richard Cecil, the father of the great and first Lord Burghley, Secretary 
 of State under King Edward VI. and Queen Elizabeth, who, in consideration of 
 his great merits and eminent services, was, by the latter monarch, in the fourteenth 
 year of her reign, created Baron of Burghley, made a Knight of the Garter, and 
 appointed Lord High Treasurer of England in the year following. Thus, it should 
 always be remembered that this title was derived from the manor, and not the 
 name of the manor from the title. It would appear, from another statement, 
 that of Mr. Burgon, in his " Life and Times of Sir Thomas Gresham," that the 
 property was carried into the family of Sir William Cecil by his mother, Jane 
 Heckington, and to have been even regarded as the family seat, though Cecil 
 made Theobalds, in Hertfordshire, his usual country residence, in consequence of 
 its greater proximity to the metropolis. The Lord Treasurer himself, indeed, 
 writes, in 1585, " My house of Burghley is of my mother's inheritance, who liveth, 
 and is the owner thereof, and I but a farmer." 
 
 On the death of the Lord Treasurer, in 1598, the manor devolved upon his 
 eldest son, Thomas, the second Lord Burghley, who was elevated two steps in 
 the peerage by James I., with the title of Earl of Exeter. This, the first Earl of 
 Exeter, died in 1622. 
 
 Mr. Burgon further states, that Sir William Cecil demolished the old house 
 at Burghley, and on its site raised the magnificent pile which is at present 
 inhabited by his lineal descendant, Brownlow, the second Marquis and eleventh 
 Earl of Exeter. 
 
 According to Walpole, John Thorpe, the palace-building architect of Eliza- 
 beth's reign, gave the designs for Burghley, and superintended the greater part of 
 its erection. Cecil, however, appears to have taken upon himself to procure some 
 of the materials, in which he was assisted by Sir Thomas Gresham, who procured 
 them from Flanders, whence also he obtained the materials for his Royal Exchange. 
 
 so 
 
 42 ^-2^4 
 
^ THE ROYAL PROGRESS TO BURGHLEY HOUSE. 
 
 Thus, in " Gresham's Domestic Correspondence," in the State Paper Office, we 
 find a memorandum of articles for the building of Burghley, as follows : — 
 "Antwerp, Oct. 22, 1559 : xvi little pillars of marbill for a gallery .... xvi H. — 
 ix harthes for chimneys, at 21s. Ad. .... xl. 10s. (?) — vi chaires of velvet, at 
 iii li. the peece," &c, &c. Still, it is believed that Cecil only erected a portion of 
 the mansion ; and did not the several dates upon the building prove this, Cecil's 
 inadequate income would warrant such a conclusion, for it is well known that Queen 
 Elizabeth did not overpay her servants, and Cecil declared of himself, that, 
 during the twenty-six years of Elizabeth's reign, he had not been " beneficed" so 
 much as he had during four years under King Edward. Again, Cecil, shortly after 
 his promotion to the peerage, writes to a friend : " Yours, not changed in 
 friendship though in name ; and yet that not unknown to you when you were 
 with me nere Stamford. — W. Burghley. My stile is Lord of Burghley, if you 
 meane to knowe it for your wrytyng, and if you list to wryte truly, the poorest 
 lord in England ! " 
 
 In Hume, we read, however, in reference to the means of Lord Burghley, that 
 " he, of all the Queen's ministers alone, left a considerable fortune to his posterity ; 
 a fortune not acquired by rapine or oppression, but gained by the regular profits 
 of his offices, and preserved by frugality." 
 
 Although Thorpe may have designed Burghley, there is evidence that 
 Henricke, the architect of the Royal Exchange, procured some of the materials, 
 more especially the " pavying stones" for one of the halls, and "a patron how 
 they should be layd." Then we find Gresham recommending Henricke to Cecil, 
 as "reasonable;" and in January, 1563, Clough (Gresham's agent at Antwerp) 
 was corresponding with Cecil respecting the fashion of his gallery and pillars for 
 Burghley. 
 
 In Mr. Drakard's copious " Guide to Burghley House" (a work which will be 
 found to afford every information that may be desirable to visiters, not only with 
 respect to the building itself, but to the curiosities in art which it contains), we find 
 it stated, that " the east and north ends (the part looking down upon Stamford) 
 and the kitchen are considered to be portions of the original structure." Admitting 
 
 - 
 
m ^ ^ 
 
 THE ROYAL PROGRESS TO BURGHLEY HOUSE. 
 
 this account to be correct, the old building, upon which the present house was 
 founded, must have been very inconsiderable, not only from the appearance of the 
 existing mansion, but from the several dates observable in different parts of it. 
 
 The entrance to this noble domain is situated at the southern extremity of 
 St. Martin, Stamford, of which street it forms a chief ornament, and was built 
 by Mr. Legg, of Stamford, in 1801, under the superintendence of Henry, the 
 tenth Earl and first Marquis of Exeter, at an expense of about .£5,000. It consists 
 of two stone octagonal turrets, each containing three stories of apartments, 
 crowned with cupolas ; these turrets are connected by three arched gateways, 
 between which is solid masonry, faced with three-quarter Doric columns, and 
 niches, surmounted by a frieze, cornice, and other embellishments. Upon the 
 parapet, above the centre arch, are eight pyramidal ornaments, flanking the arms 
 of the Cecil family. Above the two side arches are balustrading and two small 
 arches, each of which is crowned with a pinnacle similar to those already men- 
 tioned, and encloses a carving of the family crest. 
 
 The park extends about two miles from north to south, and from half a mile 
 to a mile and a quarter from east to west. The grounds were much improved by 
 Mr. L. Brown, the famous horticulturist, who transformed the several fields sur- 
 rounding the house into the present spacious lawns and shrubberies. About 
 a mile from the lodges is a lake three-quarters of a mile in length, across 
 which is a stone bridge, having three arches, with palisades supporting four lions 
 couchant, also designed by Brown. Next is the dairy-house and the game- 
 keeper's lodge, — the latter a cottage in the old English style. This end of 
 the park is somewhat unpicturesque, and presents but few features of that 
 rich and beautiful scenery which is to be met with elsewhere, particularly near 
 the lake. As you approach the mansion, the trim beauties of lawns and fairy 
 groves prepare you for the storehouse of art which they environ. Romantic 
 grottoes and mossy cells, composed of Nature's rudest materials, appear on every 
 side ; and fancy has almost exhausted herself in forming to these retreats Gothic 
 doors of wild-grown limbs, and paving them with the small leg-bones of sheep. 
 A boat-house, and a Gothic temple of great beauty, may be enumerated among 
 
 44 
 
THE ROYAL PROGRESS TO BURGHLEY HOUSE. 
 
 the other embellishments ; and in a recess, surrounded by evergreens, stands an 
 elegant monument to Hannah Sophia Chambers, Countess of Exeter, bearing an 
 inscription tributary to her excellence. On this side of the house, at the distance 
 of a few yards, is a large oval basin, 140 feet in circumference, for gold and silver 
 fish. Adjoining other outbuildings, leading from the east wing of the house, are 
 the stables, composing three sides of a square of about 2,500 yards, with indented 
 parapets, and pointed gateways and windows, of the same Gothic structure. 
 
 The first appearance of the mansion itself is extremely imposing: on approaching 
 it from Stamford, after winding through the noble park, the stately pile suddenly 
 opens upon the visiter from the north-west, where its singular chimneys, the 
 variety of its turrets, towers, and cupolas, and the steeple of the chapel rising 
 in the centre, give it the appearance more of a small city than a single building. 
 
 Burghley is, altogether a magnificent exemplar of the architecture of Elizabeth 
 and James I. ; but many of its details are in objectionable taste, and overloaded 
 with ornament. It is built of freestone, in the form of a beautiful parallelogram, 
 measuring by the inner court one hundred and ten feet by seventy feet. The 
 chimneys are formed of Doric columns, connected at the top by a frieze and 
 cornice of the same order. 
 
 The North Front consists of an oblong centre, with an octagonal turret, 
 crowned with a cupola at each angle ; this is flanked by three stories of 
 apartments, and a tower, nearly square, also surmounted with a cupola ; the 
 centre containing four stories above the principal entrance. On this side 
 between the windows, we observe the date, 1587. On each side of the door 
 is a platform, extending ninety feet by eighteen feet each way, which, with 
 the intermediate breadth of the threshold, completes a frontage of two hundred 
 feet. The pierced parapet of this front adds considerably to its richness. The 
 ascent to the house is by nine large semi-circular steps, and the entrance is by 
 a semi-circular headed doorway. 
 
 The Inner Court, or Quadrangle, with a drawing of which this work is embel- 
 lished, is approached by a grand hall, forty-eight feet long, and twenty-four wide, 
 the roof supported by twelve Ionic columns of imitative Sienna marble, and the 
 
 m 4o _ 
 
THE ROYAL PROGRESS TO BURGHLEY HOUSE. 
 
 floor paved with small squares of black and white marble. There is another 
 entrance-hall on the west side, though of small dimensions, and a similar hall in 
 the south front. 
 
 The effect of this court, with its massive piles of building, is very striking. 
 The three stories on the east side consist of Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian columns, 
 flanking large niches ; and above the Corinthian order, the uppermost of the 
 three, are two large stone lions, rampant, supporting the family arms. The spire 
 of the chapel rises from hence, which, although far from being ornamental, is of 
 admirable workmanship. This part of the building appears, from the date above 
 the dial, to have been finished in 1585. Over an arch, in front of the chapel, is 
 a bust of King William III. The columns in the opposite, or western side, are 
 plain Doric ; and the windows in the north and south sides of the court are 
 pointed. Four capacious gateways, with parallel corresponding folding doors 
 behind them on the four sides, face each other ; each extending in an elliptical 
 arch, about nine feet in width, and the same in height. On the rail, and at the 
 angles of the balustrades are several small stone urns and water vessels. 
 
 Gilpin, the excellent artistical critic, says, " Burghley House is one of the 
 noblest monuments of British architecture in the times of Queen Elizabeth, when 
 the great outlines of magnificence were rudely drawn, but unimproved by taste. 
 It is an immense pile, forming the four sides of a large court ; and though deco- 
 rated with a variety of fantastic ornaments according to the fashion of the time, 
 before Grecian architecture had introduced symmetry, proportion, and elegance, 
 into the plans of private houses, it has still an august appearance. The inside of 
 the court is particularly striking. The spire is neither, I think, in itself an orna- 
 ment ; nor has it any effect, except at a distance, where it contributes to give this 
 immense pile the consequence of a town." 
 
 Another beautiful feature of Burghley is its fine architectural gardens — the 
 invariable accompaniment to the Elizabethan mansion. " We delight," says Mr. 
 C. J. Richardson, the tasteful architect, " in its wide and level terraces, decorated 
 with rich stone balustrades, and these again with vases and statues, and connected 
 by broad flights of stone steps — its clipped evergreen hedges — its embowered 
 
 ■J6 
 
THE ROYAL PROGRESS TO BURGHLEY HOUSE. 
 
 alleys — its formal yet intricate parterres, full of curious knots of flowers — its 
 lively and musical fountains— its steep slopes of velvet turf — its trim bowling-green 
 — and the labyrinth and wilderness which form its appropriate termination, and 
 connect it with the ruder scenery without." 
 
 At the magnificence of the interior, and the costly productions of art therein 
 contained, we have incidentally glanced in the preceding pages — to attempt more 
 would be as inconsistent with the object as with the limits of a work of this nature ; 
 but we have reserved to the last the following interesting account of 
 
 "THE COTTAGER'S DAUGHTER" AT BURGHLEY. 
 
 In the billiard-room, where are impannelled in a wainscot of Norway oak a 
 succession of family portraits, is a large picture, from the pencil of Lawrence, 
 which visiters to Burghley generally request to be shown, and to which is attached 
 a romantic interest. The circumstances are narrated as follows : — 
 
 The present Marquis of Exeter's father was married three times ; first, to 
 the only daughter and heiress of Thomas Vernon, Esq., which marriage was 
 dissolved by Act of Parliament ; secondly, to Sarah Hoggins (" the Cottager's 
 Daughter") ; and thirdly, to Elizabeth, Duchess Dowager of Hamilton. By the 
 second marriage there were three children, viz. : — Lady Sophia, who died in 
 November, 1823, after marrying the Right Hon. Henry Manvers Pierrepont ; 
 Brownlow, the present and second Marquis ; and Lord Thomas Cecil. This 
 picture, which is known as " the Cottager's Daughter," contains three portraits — 
 the late Marquis, the Countess Sarah (his second wife, to whom he was married 
 October 3rd, 1791, and who died January 18th, 1797, aged 24 years), and Lady 
 Sophia, their daughter. The Marquis died in 1804. 
 
 The following extract is from an article entitled, " Authentic and Interesting 
 Memoirs of the late Countess of Exeter:" — "This amiable woman, whose 
 virtues gave a lustre to the title of Countess of Exeter, and who died lamented 
 by all who knew her, has something so uncommonly interesting in the history 
 of her life, that a detailed sketch cannot but be acceptable to every reader 
 
 JM 
 
 & 
 
 47 
 
THE ROYAL PROGRESS TO BURGHLEY HOUSE. 
 
 of sensibility. When the late Earl was a minor, he married a lady from whom he 
 was afterwards divorced. After the separation had taken place, the Earl (his 
 uncle) advised him to retire into the country for some time, and pass as a private 
 gentleman. Mr. Cecil accordingly bent his course into a remote part of Shropshire ; 
 and fixing his residence at an inn in a small village, he amused himself there for 
 some months, passing by the name of Jones, and representing himself to be a 
 landscape painter. He took a dislike to this situation, and sought out a farm- 
 house where he might board and lodge. Several families refused to receive him, 
 but at length he found a situation which answered his purpose ; and, in considera- 
 tion of his liberal offers, and the knowledge of his possessing money, a farmer fitted 
 him up rooms for his accommodation. Here he continued to reside for about two 
 years ; but time hanging heavily on his hands, he purchased some land, on which 
 he built himself a house. The farmer, at whose house Mr. Cecil resided, had a 
 daughter, about seventeen years of age, whose rustic beauties threw at an infinite 
 distance all that he had ever beheld in the circle of fashion. Although placed in a 
 humble sphere, Mr. Cecil perceived that her beauty would adorn, and her virtues 
 shed a lustre on the most elevated situation. He, therefore, frankly told the 
 cottagers that he was desirous of marrying their daughter, and the celebration of 
 their nuptials accordingly took place. Shortly afterwards, the news arrived 
 of his uncle's death, when he found it necessary to repair to town. Mr. Cecil (now 
 Earl of Exeter), taking his wife with him, set out on his journey, and called at the 
 seats of several noblemen, at which places, to the great astonishment of his wife 
 (now, of course, a Countess), he was welcomed in the most friendly manner. At 
 length they arrived at Burghley, where they were welcomed with acclamations of 
 joy. As soon as he had settled his affairs, the Earl of Exeter returned to 
 Shropshire, discovered his rank to his wife's father and mother, put them into the 
 house he had built there, and settled on them an income of <£700 per annum. He 
 afterwards took the Countess with him to London, introduced her to the 
 fashionable world, where she was respected, admired, and adored, until it pleased 
 the Great Dispenser of events to call the spirit of life to a more lasting region of 
 happiness." 
 
 48 
 
THE ROYAL PROGRESS TO BURGHLEY HOUSE. 
 
 Upon the preceding interesting subject, Mr. Alfred Tennyson (a son of the late 
 Rev. Dr. Tennyson, rector of Somersby, Lincolnshire, and nephew of the Rio-ht 
 Hon. Charles Tennyson d'Eyncourt, formerly M.P. for Stamford), has produced the 
 following beautiful ballad-form composition : — 
 
 THE LORD OF BURGHLEY. 
 
 In her ear he whispers gaily — 
 " If my heart by signs can tell, 
 
 Maiden, I have watched thee daily, 
 And I think thou lov'st me well." 
 
 She replies, in accents fainter, 
 
 " There is none I love like thee." 
 He is but a landscape painter, 
 And a village maiden she. 
 
 He, to lips that fondly falter, 
 Presses his without reproof ; 
 
 Leads her to the village altar, 
 And they leave her father's roof. 
 
 " I can make no marriage present ; 
 
 Little can I give my wife ; 
 Love will make our cottage pleasant, 
 
 And I love thee more than life." 
 
 They by parks and lodges going, 
 See the lordly castles stand ; 
 
 Summer woods about them blowing. 
 Made a murmur in the land. 
 
 From deep thought himself he rouses, 
 Says to her that loves him well, 
 
 " Let us see these handsome houses, 
 Where the wealthy nobles dwell." 
 
 So she goes by him attended, 
 Hears him lovingly converse ; 
 
 Sees whatever fair and splendid 
 Lay betwixt his home and hers ; 
 
 Parks with oak and chesnut shady, 
 Parks and ordered gardens great ; 
 
 Ancient homes of lord and lady, 
 Built for pleasure and for state. 
 
 All he shows her makes him dearer : 
 
 Evermore she seems to gaze 
 On that cottage growing nearer, 
 
 Where they twain will spend their days. 
 
 O but she will love him truly ! 
 
 He shall have a cheerful home ; 
 She will order all things duly, 
 
 When beneath his roof they come. 
 
 Thus her heart rejoices greatly, 
 
 Till a gateway she discerns, 
 With armorial bearings stately, 
 
 And beneath the gate she turns ; 
 
 Sees a mansion more majestic 
 Than all those she saw before, 
 
 Many a gallant gay domestic 
 Bows before him at the door. 
 
 And they speak in gentle murmur, 
 When they answer to his call ; 
 
 While he treads with footstep firmer, 
 Leading on from hall to hall ; 
 
 And, while now she wonders blindly, 
 
 Nor the meaning can divine, 
 Proudly turns he round and kindly, 
 
 " All of this is mine and thine." 
 
 Here he lives in state and bounty, 
 Lord of Burghley, fair and free ; 
 
 Not a lord in all the county 
 Is so great a lord as he. 
 
 All at once the colour flushes 
 
 Her sweet face from brow to chin ; 
 
 As it were with shame she blushes, 
 And her spirit changed within. 
 
 49 
 
THE ROYAL PROGRESS TO BURGHLEY HOUSE. 
 
 Then her countenance all over 
 
 Pale again as death did prove ; 
 But he clasped her like a lover, 
 
 And he cheered her soul with love. 
 So she strove against her weakness, 
 
 Though at times her spirits sank ; 
 Shaped her heart with woman's meekness, 
 
 To ail the duties of her rank. 
 
 And a gentle consort made he, 
 And her gentle mind was such, 
 
 That she grew a noble lady, 
 
 And the people loved her much. 
 
 But a trouble weighed upon her, 
 And perplexed her night and morn, 
 
 With the burden of an honour 
 Unto which she was not born. 
 
 Faint she grew, and ever fainter, 
 
 As she murmured " O that he 
 Were once more that landscape painter, 
 
 Which did win my heart from me ? " 
 So she drooped and drooped before him, 
 
 Fading slowly from his side ; 
 Three fair children first she bore him, 
 
 Then before her time she died. 
 
 Weeping, weeping, late and early, 
 Walking up and pacing down, 
 
 Deeply mourned the Lord of Burghley, 
 Burghley House, by Stamford Town. 
 
 And he came to look upon her, 
 And he looked at her and said, 
 
 " Bring the dress, and put it on her, 
 That she wore when she was wed." 
 
 Then her people, softly treading, 
 Bore to earth, her body, drest 
 
 In the dress that she was wed in, 
 That her spirit might have rest. 
 
 NORTHAMPTON CASTLE. 
 
 N order to the completeness of the narrative of her Majesty's Pro- 
 gress to Burghley, we extract, from " Bridges's Northamptonshire," the 
 following account of this castle, the general effect of which was on 
 the late occasion represented hy a temporary structure in wood : — 
 " This castle was built by Simon St. Liz, the first of that name Earl of 
 Northampton, in the reign of the Conqueror ; but as no mention of it 
 is made in Domesday Survey, it appears not to have been erected until 
 after that survey was taken. In the twentieth year of Henry II. it was in 
 the hands of the Crown, Hugh de Gundevill, the sheriff of the county, being 
 allowed lxxvs. issuing from the Manor of Torp, towards the custody of the 
 
 50 
 

 CO 
 
 o 
 
 z 
 < 
 
 O 
 a: 
 

 THE ROYAL PROGRESS TO BURGHLEY HOUSE. 
 
 said castle, for one quarter of a year. In after times, it was occasionally 
 entrusted to such castellan or constable as the King appointed. In the first 
 of Edward III., the custody of it was committed to William de Pilarton, 
 yeoman of the butlery, who was to answer for the profits arising from the said 
 castle. But in the third year of the same reign, Thomas Wake, of Blisworth, 
 at that time sheriff, laid claim to the custody of it, as annexed to the 
 county, and belonging of right to the jurisdiction of sheriff, and being found 
 by inquisition then taken to have been immemorially annexed to that office, till 
 granted by Edward II. to Nicholas de Segrave, it was ordered to be given back to 
 be held by him, the said sheriff, and his successors, by the usual services. The 
 sum of xs. out of every knight's fee held of the fee of Chokes, in the counties of 
 Northampton, Bedford, Buckingham, Lincoln, and Leicester, was paid yearly, as 
 rent appropriated to the guard of the castle. In the thirtieth year of Henry VI., 
 the said rent, and all weyfs belonging to the constableship of the said castle, with 
 the herbage within the walls and in the trenches ; as also, a certain meadow and 
 right of fishing in the river, were granted to Robert Caldecote, for the term of 
 twenty years, at the annual rent of cs. Within the castle was a royal free 
 chapel, dedicated to St. George, to which a stipendiary chaplain was presented by 
 the Crown, with a salary of is. yearly. Before the year 1675, the castle was used as 
 the county gaol, and part of a round bastion on the south side, formerly the 
 prison, and now called the Castle Ring, is still standing. Part also of a bastion on 
 the east, and another on the west, were pulled down a few years ago : and here, 
 likewise, were kept the two courts of justice, at some distance from each other, 
 the nisi prius court joining to the west end, or entrance to the chapel. The 
 ground enclosed within the walls is about three acres. The site of it belongs now 
 to Sir Arthur Haselrig, whose grandfather purchased it of one Read, soon after 
 the Restoration. In 1662, pursuant to an order of the King and Privy Council, the 
 walls and gates, and part of the castle of Northampton were' demolished. It 
 appears, indeed, from the account of Norden, who lived in 1593, that the castle at 
 that time was much decayed, and the walls in a defenceless state." 
 
 Of this ancient fortress nothing now remains but a small portion of the walls. 
 
 « % 
 
/ 
 
 THE ROYAL PROGRESS TO BURGHLEY HOUSE. 
 
 ^# 
 
 £337 
 
 CTjc (Bntvit of %cr jttajcsttr &umt gltoxbtty 
 
 INTO THE TOWNE OF NORTHAMPTON, IN THE YEAR 1564. 
 
 ^o LOUDLESS appered the morning, and the sun shone with mickle 
 'M fll splendoure. At the outsideof the gate, the Maier, attended by the 
 
 magistrates and burgers, mett her Majestie, and led her with muche 
 gallantry into the towne, where all was gaietie and joie. The towne 
 gates were painted, and above them was a curiously-shaped shield of 
 goodly workemanshipe, on which was scored the towne arms, shaded 
 with laurell; the walles, which were stronge and thicke, were stuck 
 wyth habbitants, who waved divers coloured banners, wyth divers local devyces. By 
 the gates, upon the wall, were two brasse cannon, which, on the Queen's 
 touching the inside of the gate, were fired off, accompanyed by the vocifferous 
 shouts of the people, but to the great perill of some of her Majestie's traine, 
 who were allmost styfled by the smoke. 
 
 Having entered, they moved on in goodly array ; furst marched an attender 
 of the Maier's, with the armes emblassoned on the toppe of a long polle, 
 followed by others of the Maier's company, wyth battel axes, wyth which they 
 mennaced those of the rabblement, who nocked in thousands to see her Majestie 
 and intruded within the pathe beaten out for the progresse. Then a companye of 
 sodyers on foote, lyveried with cotes of blewe clothe, garded with redde, with 
 cappes fitted on their sculls, and a band of dromes and phiphes, which, in turne 
 wyth other music, played the warre march, allarme, approche, assalte, battell, 
 and other callings of necessity wich might, forsoothe, be requyred. Then the 
 Maier, followed by the bailies and burgers, the Maier robed in a long redde cloke, 
 wyth a congrattullatory address to the throne : the others had a long wande in 
 their handes. Then came a hundred choosen young bowyers, with eugh and 
 ashe bowes, each with a sheave of acerated arrowes. Then the jolly yeomen of 
 
 £ 
 
$& 
 
 "5j\ 
 
 THE ROYAL PROGRESS TO BURGHLEY HOUSE. 
 
 guard, ycladd in Scarlett cotes, reachinge downe to the knees, garded with garter 
 blew velvett, and rich badges royale on their breastes and backes, with cappes of 
 black velvett, with broade crownes, with ribbons of roial couloures, some haveing 
 large swordes by theire sides, and bowes and arrowes, and others with swordes and 
 harquibusses. Then came her Maiestie, in a sorte of triumphal car, drawn by six 
 milk-white palfreys, with the harnish silver-gilted, the gyfte of the towne ; on each 
 horse rode a strippling, ycladd in cotes of purpel velvett, lyned wyth crimsone of 
 the same texture, the backes of theire cotes craftily worked with golden lace. The 
 car was fashioned in shape of three shells, like as Neptune's is wont to be graued, 
 on which was scored by an handey worke-man the most rare devyces of deities, 
 mongst which the most prominent was the portraiture of the Queen, who was 
 always the principall of the groupe. 
 
 Our Soveraine was decked in a long crimsone cote of velvet, righte gailly 
 fretted with gold-lace, with edgings, a foot deep, of curiouslie-worked wire mettle ; 
 a sorte of cappe on her head, 'tween the foldes of which her haire was twined 
 and secured with gold pynnes, vvith massey heads of rubie ; her snowey neck and 
 breasts were completely hid in the chaines of frilles, dymonds, rubies, and other 
 precious stones, which dangled round her in profusion, and shewed off the fine 
 symmytry of her lovelie forme ; a vele wauved o'er her shoulders and backe ; her 
 haire, of the richhest auburne, hung in tresses round her faire cheekes, whose 
 coulour was encreased by the effusions of loialtie from everie classe, and the 
 thousands which surrounded the progresse to see theire royall Soveraine. 
 
 She was followed by her counsellors and chief officers of state, and a goodly 
 traine of faire ladies, who were encompassed by a large body of men with battel 
 axes, also pikemen, bilhnen, calivers, and halberters. 
 
 The houses on each side of the streets were fined with flowers and ribbons, 
 among which were geniousley displaide on silk, &c, inscryptiones of loialtie and 
 devoute prayers for her Maiestie, with other pleasing and right goodley devyces, 
 Haveing reeched the church of All Hallowes, the Maier stept forwardes with the 
 burgers, up two alleis, thro' to a doore thro' which her Maiestie walked to the 
 chaunsel (the dromes and phiphes playing the Royal March), and was seated by 
 
THE ROYAL PROGRESS TO BURGHLEY HOUSE. 
 
 the Maier on the regal chaire, where, with mickle pleasure, she received the towne 
 addresse, and the habbitants joious welcome, and manye other like ceremonies. 
 
 After which the people departe at sound of trumpet, and spended the reste of 
 the daye in bulle and bear baiteing, and other royall sportes and amusements, the 
 poorer habbitants kindleing a fire in the maior-holde, and letteing off divers 
 ordonnance and fire-works. 
 
 Extract from tfjc journals of fyt Corporation. 
 
 SSEMBLY holden at the Guildhall the 
 
 dav of August, A.D. 
 
 1564, Richard Wharloo then being Mayor of Northampton, and John 
 
 KJJL Belger and Thomas Calls, Justices of Peace, by the consent of his 
 
 "\f^yf co-brethren and all the comburgesses, and the forty-eight of the same 
 
 «3£« town, these ordinances were made, constituted, and ordained for the 
 
 receiving of our Sovereign Lady the Queen's Majesty Queen Eliza- 
 beth, by the Grace of God, Queen of England, France, and of Ireland, 
 Defender of the Faith, in the sixth year of her Majesty's reign. 
 
 At the which Assembly it was ordained and decreed, that there should be 
 levied among the commons and inhabitants of the town of Northampton, to be 
 presented unto the Queen's Majesty, one hundred marks sterling. 
 
 Item. — It is considered and agreed that Richard Wharloo, then being Mayor, 
 should have allowed him toward his charge at the Queen's Majesty being in 
 Northampton £20. 
 
 54