Queen Victoria by Richard Rivington Holmes Read Free Book Online Page A

Duchess with the Princess made many excursions to Southampton, Ryde, and the back of the Island; they attended divine service at the church at Whippingham, and were present at the consecration of the new church at East Cowes. On the 18th of July they went on board the
Emerald
and were towed by the
Messenger
steamboat to Portsmouth. Here in the Admiral’s barge they visited his flagship the
Victory
, and saw the spot on the deck where Nelson fell and the cockpit where he died. “The whole ship,” notes Princess Victoria, “is remarkable for its neatness and order.” A contemporary account states that the Duchess and the Princess tasted some of the men’s dinner at one of their mess-tables, and much liked the fare.
    On the 29th the
Messenger
again took the
Emerald
in tow for Weymouth, where the night was passed on shore at the Hotel. Addresses were presented and the town was illuminated in honour of the royal visitors, who next day left by road, escorted by the Dorsetshire Yeomanry, for Melbury, the seat of Lord Ilchester. where a stay was made of two nights; leaving again by road, and, passing Beaminster and Bridport, they embarked on board the
Emerald
at Lyme Regis for Torquay, where they slept. During this journey the Duchess and Princess always slept on shore, as the accommodation on board was very scanty. On the afternoon of the 2nd, as the yacht was approaching Plymouth, the Admiral, Sir William Hargood, who had served under Nelson, and under the King, came on board. When entering the harbour, the little
Emerald
ran foul of the
Active
hulk, and those on board were in considerable danger. The mast was broken in two places by the collision, but did not fall, though many stories were current at the time of falling spars and rigging. No one was hurt, though everyone was greatly frightened. The repair of the mast caused a delay of a couple of days. On the 3rd an address was presented by the Mayor and Corporation of Plymouth, and afterwards Their Royal Highnesses and suite were present at a review of the 89th, 22nd, and 84th Regiments. The Duchess of Kent made a speech, in which she referred to her residence in the Isle of Wight, which enabled her. in pursuance of her system of education for her daughter, to visit the great ports and arsenals so intimately associated with the naval power and glories of the country. The Princess Victoria then presented new colours to the 89th Regiment, giving them into the hands of Ensigns Miles and Egerton. After the troops had marched past, and luncheon had been served at the Admiral's house, a visit was paid to the
San
Josef
, the flagship, which had been taken by Nelson from the Spaniards at St. Vincent, a fine vessel of 120 guns, after which the
Caledonia
, 120, and the
Revenge
, 74, were inspected. On Sunday the Duchess and Princess attended morning service in the Dockyard Chapel, and in the afternoon rowed across to Mount Edgecumbe. Next day, on board the
Forte
frigate, Commander Pell, they sailed to the Eddystone Lighthouse. After lunch on board the sailors danced a hornpipe, and the royal party danced a quadrille and a country dance. The Princess danced first with Lieutenant Baker, and afterwards with Captain Thiringham. They afterwards landed on the Breakwater, whence they rowed to Mount Wise, and drove home. On Tuesday, the 6th, they re-embarked on the
Emerald
, the repairs to which had been completed, and, accompanied as far as the Sound by the Admiral and his captains, were again towed as far as Dartmouth, where they landed and drove to Torquay in the carriage of Mrs. Seale, as there were no post-horses to be had. They were expected to arrive by sea, and the change of plan caused some disappointment; however, a procession was formed of young girls with flowers, a little girl in the middle, the daughter of a sailor named Pepperill, carrying a crown. Leaving Torquay early next morning, and passing through Teign-mouth and Dawlish, Exeter was reached, where the usual addresses were