removal of the regalia.-Want of precedents to guide the preparations.-Exertions of Sir Walter Scott.-Embarkation and rapid approach of the King.-Resort of eager multitudes to Edinburgh. -First appearance of the squadron.—Arrival.— Landing;-deep feeling of the people.-Advance of the royal procession.-Summons at the barrier of the City.-Entrance of the King.-Beauty of the vistas.—Sublimity of the crowded Calton Hill.-Spontaneous burst of loyalty from a crowd of mechanics.-Silent and solemn entry into Holy- rood;-associations of the moment.-Final ac- No details given but such as lead to important moral King, on the Land.-The King attends divine ser- LETTER IV. More didactic views No exaggeration of public feel- Charlotte and her infant.-Opinion of Edmund LETTER V. Page 102 A more interesting inquiry how the natural impulse - 188 1 ALTHOUGH nearly two months have elapsed, Sir, since the visit of our gracious Sovereign to his Scottish dominions, the writer, who now uses the freedom to address you, is unwilling to abandon the hope that the task of telling the tale and pointing the moral of that auspicious event, with all the poetry, the painting, the high excitement of which it is susceptible,—will yet be performed by B you. The page of chivalry is your own; and when you hold high discourse of kings and heroes, who, besides, shall hope to be listened to? Assured, nevertheless, that no one that ventures into this field can anticipate, although he may have the good fortune to incite you, he begs to be allowed, while you yourself are yet silent, to submit to you some views of this inspiring subject which have occurred to him; for if it have been his good fortune, to catch even a breathing of that lofty sentiment, which glows with so much fervour and purity in your bosom, to whom else can he impart his feelings, if permitted to commune with you? Although much has been said on the subject of the late Royal visit, some of its nobler features have not yet been steadily looked upon. The lessons of deep moral import which it inculcates, are more likely to stand revealed, now that the glare of its externals has vanished, and its political bearings more likely to be observed, |