93 
from the city, she was met by ‘a handsome company of citizens” 
all clad like grenadiers, and also by two hundred virgins with 
bows and arrows, and others with gilt sceptres, with them being 
a set of dancers who danced by the side of the coach. At the 
West Gate she was met by the Corporation in their “ formalities,” 
and a procession formed. Preceded by the High Sheriff and his 
men well-mounted and in blue cloaks, there came divers citizens 
as artillerymen with arms, then the dancers, the Corporation 
two and two, the M.P., and then the Mayor before the coach. 
By the side of the coach flambeaux were carried, and after it came 
- music, and then the maids. With the streets illuminated and 
the bells ringing for joy, her Majesty was conducted to the Abbey 
_ House (Dr. Peirce’s), where the Mayor and Corporation kissed 
_ the Royal hand. 
It was at the Abbey House, or Abbey Gate House, says 
A Compunion to the Watering and Bathing Places of England, 1800, 
that King James II. and his Queen also stayed ; why should not’ 
Elizabeth have used it too? It was destroyed in 1755, when the 
Kingston Baths were built, but its site is marked in Johnson’s 
map of 1634, in that very scarce little work “‘Mercurius Botanicus.” 
- During her stay the Queen touched, but the practice was clearly 
declining. A “great number” came, but Dr. Thomas Gardiner, 
her Majesty’s physician, after an examination, chose to find only 
thirty fit, and these were touched privately ; because there was 
not “a proper conveniency for the solemnity.” 
Thus the reason which James had used to get off his trick in 
the Abbey Church, was used now to get rid of a troublesome 
business. 
_ After a stay of six weeks, during which time there had been 
a daily mail, the post went and came every day of the week, the 
Queen left Bath for Windsor on the 8th October. The 
Corporation accompanied her to the North Gate, and the 
‘Mayor there presented a silver gilt cup with a cover, and a salver, 
all in a rich case of crimson velvet lined with gold. The visit is 
_ commemorated in— 
e 
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3Y 
Seon! 
