110 
author, Gough, discredits the story, 
which he affirms to be an invention of 
the monkish writer of the life of Arch- 
bishop Scroope, who says, this was a 
judgment for the condemnation of this 
venerable prelate, without trial. The 
tale, whether true or false, proves the 
great prevalence of the disorder. 
At the suppression of monasteries, 
St. James’s was surrendered to the 
King, Henry VIII., in 1531, who erect- 
ed onits scite the present palace, which 
Stow calls “a goodly manor.” It does 
not appear that this residence was in- 
habited by any of our monarchs until 
after the fire at White Hall. James I. 
presented it to his accomplished son 
Henry, whose untimely death occasion- 
ed so much calamity to England; his 
unfortunate brother, Charles I., was 
brought -here from Windsor when the 
Parliament had determined on_ his 
death; and James II. was compelled 
to make an offer of the palace for the 
accommodation of William of Nassau, 
who accepted the invitation, intimating 
at the same time the expediency of va- 
cating the neighbouring residence at 
White Hall; to which the father-in- 
law of the new sovereign was obliged 
to submit. 
- During the life time of William III. 
St. James’s was allotted to the Prin- 
cess Anne and her husband, Prince 
George of Denmark. She held her 
court in it, when queen; and three of 
her successors regularly employed it for 
the same purpose. Pennant observes, 
that uncreditable as the outside of St. 
James’s may look, it is said to be the 
most commodious, for regal parade, of 
any palace in Europe. 
Amid the numberless amusing anec- 
dotes which might be collected during 
the residence of the Georges, there are 
few more diverting than the stratagem 
resorted to. by Queen Caroline, who 
used to plant herself at a small window, 
which overlooked the court wherein 
the lodgings of Lady Suffolk were situ- 
ated, and, by that means, detected the 
private visits of those noblemen and 
gentlemen, who were unwise enough 
to esteem the influence of the mistress 
superior to that of the wife; an error 
which, she never failed to punish by 
effectually impeding their preferment. 
To the architect’ who. designed it, we 
are indebted for the drama, which has 
just been the subject of our thoughts, 
the witty songs in the Beggar’s Opera 
had never been written, had not the 
queen espied the author and his patron 
in close attendance on her rival. 
Walks in Dieniions S06: II. 
[ Mar. 1, 
Frederick, Prince of Wales, when 
upon civil terms with his parents, 
formed a company of soldiers, consist- 
ing of courtiers’ sons, to which he de- 
clared himself corporal, and as such 
relieved guard between the acts of the 
Indian Emperor, performed before their 
Majesties and the Court, in the great 
ball-room. St. James’ Palace is closely 
associated with the fashions of the last 
century, with hoops, and powder, and 
embroidered coats, with which the ima- 
gination is pleased, though the judg- 
ment submits to the alteration which 
a purer taste has introduced. 
To that diligent chronicler of his 
times, Horace Walpole, we are obliged 
for the account of the arrival of the 
late Queen Charlotte at St. James’s 
Palace. So long a period has elapsed 
since the introduction of a queen to the 
throne of England, that the ceremonial 
attached to it must be imperfectly 
known, except by the few who are tho- 
roughly versed in all the formula of 
court etiquette. Walpole enlightens 
us a little on the subject: he says in 
one of his letters to General Conway, 
** The queen looks very sensible, cheer- 
ful, and is remarkably genteel. Her tiara 
of diamonds was very splendid, her sto- 
Thacher of diamonds sumptuous: she wore 
a violet velvet mantle trimmed with er- 
mine. She talks a great deal, is very civil, 
and not disconcerted. She was pleased 
when she was to kiss the peeresses, but 
Lady Aguste was forced to take her hand 
and give it to those who were to kiss it, 
which was pretty, humble, and good na- 
tured. While they waited for supper she 
sate down, sung, and played. You don’t 
presume to suppose that-we are thinking of 
you, and wars, and misfortunes in these 
festival times, Mr. Pitt himself would be 
mobbed if he talked of any thing else but 
clothes, and jewels, and bridemaids.”’ 
The admirer of modest worth must 
not pass through Pall-Mall without be- 
stowing a moment upon Dodsley the 
bookseller, the most fashionable and 
erudite publisher of his day; a man 
who, in the humble capacity of a foot- 
man, evinced a taste for literature, 
which, being united to industry and 
good conduct, raised him to a respect- 
able station in society. He was courted 
and patronized by several learned men, 
and particularly by Pope; and he has 
the honour of being the first discoverer 
of the merit of Dr. Johnson’s poem, 
“ London,” a work which drew this 
eminent genius from poverty and ob- 
security. Dodsley’s collection has pre- 
served specimens of the writings 4 = 
olden 
