Page:Account of the royal visit of George the IVth to Scotland (2).pdf/23

 usual rumour. The King retired from the Box about eleven, and even at that hour, a numerous crowd were waiting to cheer him as he passed in a close carriage to Dalkeith-house.

His Majesty, on Wednesday the 28th of August, visited Newbattle Abbey, the seat of the Marquis of Lothian. As his Majesty drove up the avenue, he was loudly cheered by the Marquis's numerous tenantry, who lined each side of it. Immediately on his Majesty's alighting from his carriage, ‘God save the King’ was played by Mr. M Grath, who attended on the occasion, upon a very superior organ. His Majesty was conducted to the dining-room, where a very choice and splendid collation was prepared.

His Majesty, having graciously condescended to visit the Earl of Hopetoun, had selected Port Edgar, near Queensferry, as the most eligible place of embarkation, from its immediate vicinity to Hopetoun-house.

His Majesty, about twenty minutes past eleven o'clock, prepared to bid adieu to Dalkeith-house. He walked down stairs firmly, and observing Mrs Povar, housekeeper to the Duke of Buccleuch, he walked up close to her, his countenance expressive of the greatest benignity, and said, “Mrs Povar, I must return you, and all of you, my best thanks for your great kindness and attention. We have wanted for nothing. To have wished for, or desired more, would have been unreasonable,” adding, “I shall never forget the kindness I have received, May God bless you all !!!” These were the last words -spoken by his Majesty on leaving Dalkeith-house.

Shortly after his Majesty got on board the