had devoutly joined in their prayers, and met with them in that house where all are equal in their Maker's presence. He had founded a glorious monument to their martial fame. But he had not yet relaxed, in their presence, from a certain solemn state, with the impression of which he must have left them, but for his visit to the theatre. There the humour of the inimitable Bailie Jarvie doubly delighted the crowded audience, because it delighted their King, and because it seemed to bring them nearer to the range of his ordinary sympathies-into more of a sort of fellowship with him, than on any of the former occasions. It is not merely to see the King, that the theatre is eagerly thronged which he visits. It is to feel with him, to applaud with him, to laugh with him, to weep with him. It is this love of sympathy with him that leads every eye to his countenance, when any thing is said or acted that strikes or pleases. It is this that makes the lively

air more spirited, to which he moves his head in cadence the song more sweet which he applauds-the actor more valued whom he encourages the humour more irresistible which makes him smile -and, if he laughs, there is a burst of merriment in every tier of the house. Never were king's emotions more gazed at, watched, obeyed, reflected,—than those of George the Fourth in the theatre of Edinburgh; and never yet did theatre echo and rebound with more unanimous, more tumultuous peals of affection and applause.*

As his Majesty sojourned amongst us, the public feeling towards him had softened—had mellowed from unmingled awe to something of kindliness, and almost friendship. Every thing he had done had been considerate, disinterested,

* The performers are said to have observed, that the spectators in the pit were so engrossed with the King, that they presented their profiles only to the stage.

and condescending; every thing testified his high regard and love for his people. There could not have been a more beautiful, a more hallowed result of his visit, than this growth of affection for his person; or a more heart improving triumph over all the vile arts which had been long used to traduce him.

The hour of his departure came, and there was more of melancholy in the parting salvo, told gun by gun from the dark castle rock, as if it too sorrowed, than there was even of joy in its arousing welcome. The King was soon out of hearing of the final greetings and blessings of assembled thousands; and after doing honour to the lordly hospitality of a nobleman whose name is written in the most dazzling page of his country's history, the Monarch of Britain was again on Britain's element, the Deep.

* The Earl of Hopetoun. As Sir John Hope, second in command in the Peninsular war.

It was said by many, and truly said, that there was an aspect of cheerfulness and health manifest in the King's countenance, which had visibly increased during his stay; as if he had felt himself at ease among his people, and had found salubrity in the northern air. It is known, indeed, from good authority, that his Majesty declared that he had not been better for years.

That intense public excitement, which the royal presence occasioned, naturally moderated, and its expression gradually disappeared, after the curtain had dropped upon the most memorable drama which Scotland had seen for centuries. But its impression will never fade from the hearts and memories of those who witnessed it. It will ever be a subject of delightful retrospect and interesting discourse, and its moral and political effects will interweave themselves with the well-being of the country for ages to come.

LETTER IV.

"We look up with awe to kings. Why? Because it is natural to be so affected."

Edmund Burke.

ALTHOUGH, in the very inadequate description which I have given, in the two preceding Letters, of one of the most striking events of our peaceful times, I may have appeared to have been guided, or it may be said impelled by no ordinary feeling, it is very essential to the more didactic views which I now beg leave to submit to you, that I shall not be held in any degree to have given an exaggerated picture of the public enthusiasm on the occasion. I have endeavoured to set a guard upon my own feelings, and have abstained from imputing to others any sentiments which have not the clearest warrant, in the concurring testimony of