BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 199
By those assembled, however, he was received with a degree of respect scarcely
to have been expected in the then excited state of the public mind. Amongst
those that pressed forward to bid him welcome was a jolly Newhaven fishwoman,
who, pushing every one aside, seized the hand of the King as he was
about to enter his carriage, and with a hearty shake exclaimed, “0, sir, I’m
happy to see ye again among decent folk.” Charles smiled, and asking her
name, she replied-“ My name’s Kirsty Ramsay, sir, and mony a guid fish I hae
gien ye, sir ; and mony a guid shilling I hae got for’t thirty years sin syne.”
On the Saturday following his arrival a dinner was given to between thirty
and forty respectable citizens, by several of the ex-monarch’s old tradesmen, in
honour of his return to Edinburgh. The entertainment took place in Johnston’s
Tavern, at the Abbey. After dinner the party repaired to the Palace
square, and serenaded its inmates with the old Scotch song “Should auld
acquaintance be forgot,” which was excellently sung in parts by about twenty
individuals. Three hearty cheers followed the conclusion of the song.
The Duc and Duchesse d’sngouleme, having travelled incognito by land,
arrived at Douglas’s Hotel on the 27th of October. From thence, in the course
of a few days, they removed to No. 21 Regent Terrace, where they passed the
winter, as apartments in Holyrood House had not been prepared for them.
Besides the parties already mentioned, the Duchesse de Berri, the Baron de
Damas, the Marquis de Barbancois, the Abbe de Moligny, and several other
persons of high rank, were in the train of the King: most of whom maintaining
separate establishments in various quarters of the city, diffused a considerable
custom amongst the merchants and tradesmen of Edinburgh. To the poor of the
Canongate Charles was extremely liberal, causing a daily supply of provisions
to be distributed ; and he allowed his medical attendant, Dr. Bugon, a considerable
sum weekly to procure medicine for poor patients, who also received advice
gratis from this distinguished physician.’ Nor was the generosity of his Majesty
limited to the immediate locality of the Palace. Both he and other members
of the family contributed frequently and liberally to the funds of the Poor’s
House, the House of Refuge, and other charities. They also gave a handsome
donation for the purpose of educating the children of the poor Irish resident in
Edinburgh.
Whilst they resided in this city, the conduct of the illustrious exiles was
unobtrusive and exemplary. Charles himself, it was remarked, appeared
thoughtful and melancholy. Be frequently walked in Queen Mary’s garden,
being probably pleased by its seclusion and proximity to the Palace. Here,
with a book in his hand, he used to pass whole hours in retirement ; sometimes
engaged in the perusal of the volume, and anon stopping short, apparently
absorbed in deep reflection. In dress and appearance on these occasions, he had
very much the appearance of a plain country gentleman, though he who paused
1 There were h all a hundred persons in hia suite.
3 The Doctor having been verysuccessful in the cure of disease, obtained the reputation of
considerable science and skill. He was consulted by numerous wealthy aa well as indigent persons.
I
200 EIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
to look again might easily discover, in his bearing and manner, enough to recall
the remembrance of his high lineage and unexampled misfortunes.
Charles sometimes indulged in a walk through the city ; but the crowds of
people that usually followed him, anxious to gratify their curiosity, in some
measure detracted from the pleasure of these perambulations. When he first
appeared in this manner, a few days after his arrival, he escaped observation
for some time ; but in Hanover Street the crowd became so great that, though
not the slightest insult was offered him, he deemed it prudent to abridge his
walk ; and passing along the Mound returned to the Palace by the High Street
and Canongate. With the exception of a slight stoop, the King appeared so
little altered since he had formerly sojourned in Edinburgh, that many old
people easily recognised him. Though far advanced in year$, he walked with a
firm step ; and his health and strength were such that he often went on shoot,-
ing excursions, accompanied by the Duc d'Angouleme and his suite ; sometimes
crossing the ferry to Fordel, the estate of Sir Philip Durham, but more frequently
enjoying himself on the property of the Earl of Wemyss. That his Majesty
was an excellent shot, the quantity of game brought home to Holyrood House
amply testified. In Dalmeny Park, on one occasion, he bagged thirty-six
pheasants, besides hares and partridges, in an incredibly short space of time.
In their habits and general deportment the Duc and Duchesse d'dngouleme,
or more properly speaking, the Dauphin and Dauphiness, were as unostentatious
as his Majesty. Early in the morning of a market-day, they might be met armin-
arm perambulating the Canongate and High Street, apparently much
interested in the busy scene around them ; the one attired in an old blue greatcoat,
the other enveloped in a cloak not mantle, or much superior in appearance.
Unlike the Duke, however, the Duchess was a well-proportioned, active-looking
woman. The former, strict in his religious observances, was a regular attendant
at mass ; the latter employed more of her time in the perusal of books, or in
carrying on a correspondence with the friends of the family in France.
Arthur's Seat and the King's Park afforded many a solitary walk to the
exiled party, and they seemed much delighted with their residence. It was
evident from the first that Charles, when he sought the shores of Scotland,
intended to make Holyrood House his home j and it may be imagined how
keenly he felt, on finding himself, after a residence of nearly two years, under
the necessity of removing to another country. Full of the recollection of
former days, which time had not effaced from his memory, he said he had
anticipated spending the remainder of his days in the Scottish capital, and
laying his bones amongst the dust of our ancient kings in the Chapel of
Holyrood.
. The unexpected departure of Charles and his suite is ascribed to a remonstrance
addressed by Louis Philippe to the British Government, which, having
recognised the latter as King of the French, felt it necessary to discountenance
the foreign correspondence alleged to have been carried on by the royal
inmates of Holyrood. The order, though couched in polite language, is under