1831-1841.] 
ROYAL VISIT TO OXFORD. 
147 
available vehicle, were filled with anxious subjects, whose 
loyalty and curiosity kept pace with each other. Nuneham 
Park, with its velvet lawns sloping down to the Thames, 
was thrown open to all by the courtly hospitality of its 
venerable owner. The result was that thousands of spec¬ 
tators (and among them the village schoolchildren in their 
white dresses) witnessed the arrival of the Royal Party, 
escorted by the Oxford Yeomanry. From all sides the 
progress of the distinguished visitors was saluted with 
tremendous cheering. 
On the following day, June 13th, 1841, Prince Albert 
drove into Oxford to be present at the annual com¬ 
memoration in the Sheldonian Theatre. It was hoped 
that the Queen and Prince would both attend it ; but 
Her Majesty was “dissuaded,” says the Times , by cogent 
reasons from accompanying her Royal Consort. Amongst 
these reasons it is sufficient to particularise this one. The 
University authorities would have been compelled, by 
ancient prescription, to grant an additional vacation of an 
entire term, a concession which would have been attended 
by great inconvenience. The Prince Consort was met 
at the Schools by the Duke of Wellington, who was 
the Chancellor of the University; the Vice-Chancellor, 
Dr. Wynter, President of St. John’s College ; and by the 
Heads of Houses, all wearing Court dress. At 10.30 a.m. 
the procession, headed by Prince Albert, entered the 
theatre. After the proceedings in the theatre 1 were over, 
1 Professor Keble delivered the Crevveian Oration in Latin. The 
prize essays were then recited. The Latin essay was by Benjamin 
Jowett, late Master of Balliol. 
