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Kay's Originals Vol. 2

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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
Volume 9 Page 269
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