tinent under the title of the Countess de Villiers. The distinguished personages, with their suites, including the above arrivals, then numbered about 60. Dr, Muser had also joined them. On the 2nd of July the French yacht St. Marie arrived off St. Leonards and fired a gun, at the same time it ran up the tricolour.
Soon after, the Count de Neuilly, the Duke de Neymours, the Duke d’Aumale, the Count de Paris, the Duke de Chatres, the Duchess d’ Orleans, Gen. Dumas, Gen, Chambonnes and Gen. Moerkerke put off in two boats to the yacht, and when they had got on board a second flag was hoisted and hats were waved. The party cruised for about two hours and then returned, with the master of the yacht to dine altogether. On the same day an elegant present was sent off to Capt. F. W. Paul, as elsewhere described, under
the heading of Personalities. Also on the same day some of the Royal exiles, together with the Queen of the Belgians, visited the Castle ruins.
On the 31st of July the ex-Royal Family took their departure from the Victoria Hotel, after a stay of 16 weeks, for Claremont. They expressed themselves highly gratified with Mr, Chamberlin’s arrangements and general attention. There was a large concourse of people at the hotel to witness their departure, and after again thanking Mr. Chamberlin, sen., Louis Phillipe turned to Mr, Chamberlin, jun., and assured him that he had very greatly enjoyed the loveliness of the scenery and the courtesy of the inhabitants.
When narrating the journey of the ex-King and Queen of the French and others of the family to meet the Queen of the Belgians and the Duchess of Orleans at Lewes for the purpose of accompanying them to St. Leonards, I intended to have added a description of that meeting as reported by a correspondent of the Brighton Herald; but as a copy of that paper — now before me — could not then be found, it was necessary to proceed with the account in its absence. Taking for granted, however, that their(sic) is truth in the aphorism “Better late than never,” the description is as follows:—
“ There was a considerable number of people at the station, and when the Queen of the Belgians and the Duchess of Orleans alighted from their carriage it was with difficulty that the way was made for the royal ladies to pass to the room which had been given up to Louis Phillipe, who, while advancing eagerly from it exclaimed “Ou, Ou?” (Where, where?) as though searching for the new comers, These now advanced — the Duchess first, with the young Count de Paris in her hand, who directly he saw the aged Queen, ran up to her, and placing his hand affectionately on her arm, looked up and exclaimed “Ma bonne Maman!’ Louis Phillipe met the Duchess with every sign of joy and affection. It was the first time he had seen her and the young Count since the fatal day when they were separated at the Tuilleries. The Duchess has a firm, almost a martial carriage. Her step is that of a heroine, but the deep marks round her eyes show that her woman's spirit has deeply mourned her own calamities and that of her husband’s house. The King, who never looked better, led her to the carriage. The aged Queen, who is tall and erect as ever, followed with the young Count de Paris — a fine boy, whose height and bearing make him look much older than his real age of ten years. The Queen of the Belgians followed, with the young Duke de Chartres, a beautiful boy, the second son of the Duchess of Orleans, and after her the other members of the Orleans family now in England. Thus they entered the large saloon carriage which had been prepared for them to proceed to St. Leonards. As the old King entered the carriage with his young grandson, the people raised a cheer, which appeared to be not unpleasing to him, as he turned round on the step and bowed. He also said something which our correspondent did not hear, and then the fortunes of the Orleans were whirled away.”
ANOTHER ROYAL EXILE
At about the same time that the ex Royal Family; of France came to reside at St. Leonards another illustrious visitor arrived at Hastings on his way to Bexhill, where a residence had been taken for him.
This was no other than the Portuguese Dom Miguel de Braganza, a legitimate descendant of the Kings of Portugal. As compared with the wealth of Louis Phillipe and his family, Dom Miguel was decidedly poor, he having declined a good pension offered to him by the Government of Donna Mana (his niece) to renounce his right to the Crown of Portugal. His lack of wealth, therefore, necessitated his living in a quiet way, surrounded only by a few faithful domestics; and as his sojourn was at Bexhill rather than at Hastings or St. Leonards, I had thought that a notice of him would be more appropriate under the heading of ”The Brooks of Bexhill.” But, while reserving a portion to be thuswise told, there are some letters written by a gentleman at Hastings having special reference to the Prince, which thus connects him with the Premier Cinque Port. There: are also allusions by the exile himself to the French exiles at St. Leonards, which further suggest that the narrative of the one should follow that of the others. The letter written from Hastings was as follows :—
“July 2nd, 1849, My dear Marquise,—
You wish me to give you an account of my visit to Dom Miguel, and as you were the means of my being introduced to his Majesty, I owe a ready compliance with your request; and it is a duty I most willingly perform as I dwell on the recollection of my most agreeable visit. Upon my arrival at. Hastings, I called with your letter of introduction on Senor de Pereda, and found him on the point of starting for Bexhill, where Dom Miguel is now residing. The Senor's cordial reception showed his reciprocity of friendship towards you. He made me quite his friend in a few moments, and it was soon agreed that be should solicit for me the honor of being received by the Portuguese King on the following day. Next morning. we proceeded together to Bexhill, a village six miles from Hastings, delightfully situated on the sea-coast, and one of the neatest looking places I have seen in England. Dom Miguel’s house is at the south west end of the village. very retired and with extensive sea and land views. Although the outside looks rather mean for the residence of a crowned head, still the part that fronts the garden and the interior are quite comfortable enough to satisfy a man who, like the Prince, cares more for independence than ostentation, Indeed the abode and the situation are quite fit for a philosopher such as I found the Prince practically to be, when, after the loss of wealth and power he was living cheerfully in the recollections of a proud conscience and in the fullest conviction of the justice of those rights the exercise of which he lost by violence, and for the recovery of which he has always determined to struggle, Dom Miguel received me with that noble frankness of manner — that truly polite simplicity which I have always found in the high born and high minded, These qualities, had I accidentally met such a man without knowing who he was, I should not for a moment have hesitated to ascribe to him, I will not undertake to relate to you in a letter all I remarked in his conversation that gave me an exalted idea of his sound sense, his discretion, his magnanimity, and — when speaking of his enemies — his Christian and philosophic resignation to his position. But I cannot refrain from mentioning two circumstances which are strongly characteristic and do him infinite honour. Having myself purposely turned the conversation upon another royal personage staying also with his family in the neighborhood(sic) [St. Leonards]. (and to whom Dom Miguel might reasonably be supposed not to entertain the most friendly feeling) I was surprised to hear from him no other observation than an acknowledgement of the particularly kind attention and obliging reception he had experienced from the Duc d' Orleans and his family in Paris in 1828. The other instance is that in speaking of the parties who now destroy Portugal, and of the difficulty in the event of his restoration being effected of bringing the nation back to unity and civil concord, he earnestly observed that the thing did not appear to him of such a hopeless character as night be imagined. The people would at once see — firstly, that he had no other interest than that of doing justice to all; secondly, that he had no wish to be a party King, but the King of all the Portuguese. The Prince lives a very retired life; and, Senor Pereds assured me, the villagers and neighbours show him the greatest respect. His suite is now reduced to three or four domestics, besides Viscount a Queliz, a most worthy and amiable gentleman, entirely devoted to his master and his constant attendant for the last 27 years. I must now conclude, although I know the subject is most interesting to you.”
Although living in comparative seclusion at his chosen residence at Bexhill, Dom Miguel of Braganza was often to be seen walking or riding with other persons in attendance. He was at the Hastings Races, which took place in the Filsham Vale on the 27th and 28th of September, 1849. He there witnessed some exciting sport, particularly on the first day, which, in consequence of favourable weather, was the most enjoyable The stakes on that day were the Town Plate of £40, added to a sweepstake of £2 each, the Ladies’ Plate of £25, added to a sweepstakes of £2 each, and a match for £100 between Mr. Edney’s and Capt. Ottway’s horses. On the second day, the stakes competed for were the South-Coast Railway Plate of £25, added to a sweepstakes of £2 each, a hurdle-race of £2 each, -with £20 added, the St. Leonards Plate of £40 added to a sweepstakes of £2 each, and a Plate of £20 for losing horses. It was so nearly dark when the last heat was run, and the horses reached the goal so near together that it was impossible for the umpires to decide which was the winning horse. But the circumstance which has induced me to describe thus much of that year’s races, is a generous act of Dom Miguel’s which called forth the admiration of those who witnessed it. That act of the Prince is referred to in a letter written by Senor Pereda, a Spanish gentleman, several years a resident in Hastings. The said letter was sent to a friend of the Senor’s in London, and published in the Hastings News as well as in the London Morning Post. It was as follows :—
“ Hastings.
Sept 29th, 1849.
My dear Friend,—
As you could not come and join us on St. Michael’s Day, you naturally wish to know how we spent it. The relation, though simple, will not be uninteresting to you and to all our friends. Dom Miguel, whose unobstrusive(sic) retirement becomes his position and marks his judgment, made no display on this occasion; indeed, I was his only guest. O, that all his people could have similar opportunities of observing his noble character! We met this morning at the Catholic Chapel, [in St. Leonards] and after mass he drove us himself to his peaceful retreat, where amidst quiet pastures, we gave full scope to the recollection of past events. The King delighted me with several entertaining anecdotes of his youth in the Brazils, of his family, and of his past political life, interspersed with thoughtful reflections of his own. To my expression of a hope that I wight on some such day present to his Majesty my congratulations at his palace of Queluz (which, as you know, he loves as his birthplace), he replied ‘I cordially thank you, for I see that your good wishes arise from the interest you take in my cause; and as far as might be conducive to the happiness of Portugal, and especially to the majority of the Portuguese nation who love me, and would view with delight my restoration to the country, I cannot but have the same wish. As far, however, as concerns me personally, you may well imagine how many more cares, troubles and anxieties I should then be required to sustain; and that under such circumstances we could hardly pass there so quiet, and may say, so happy a day as here it is our lot to enjoy.’ And, indeed, I cannot. but be of the same opinion myself. I much wish you had been with us, but as it has otherwise happened, I imagine, from your fondness for national dishes, you will be interested to hear that besides the historical goose, religiously eaten to-day throughout all England, we had excellent riza la Portuguese, not that wretched French riz ou lait, but the genuine Portuguese arroz doce. Apropos of the national goose, while the King was helping to some, the Viscount remarked, ‘Your Majesty, I think, ought not on this day, without apology, help a Spaniard to goose.’ ‘On the contrary.’ he rejoined, ‘a Spaniard, in my opinion, may feel pride in joining the English people at their goose, which commemorates the defeat of the great Armada by the winds. Its memory thus maintained for nearly three centuries is a clear testimony to the awe which Spanish power and greatness once inspired in Britain.’ Before I conclude I must relate to you a trait which, yesterday, publicly exhibited the King’s character in an amiable light. We were at the Hastings Races, a sport of which the King is fond, feeling, as he does, a great interest in all that is national and peculiar to a people whether English or Portuguese. At the first heat of the last races two jockeys were thrown and bodily hurt. Being conveyed past the King’s carriage, wine was called for as one of them was famishing. On the instant, the King opened our provision basket, drew the cork of a bottle, filled a glass with wine, and himself presented it to the injured man, with the most unaffected kindness, I remarked the surprise and admiration of the bystanders at such an act of kingly good nature — the action of a Samaritan which sprang from a feeling heart and a religious soul. Happily, this time he displayed himself unawares in his truly amiable character in the presence of hundreds of people, and many in this neighborhood(sic) will be slow to forget so affecting an incident. Always affectionately yours,— V.M.P”
The celebration of St. Michael’s Day by Dom Miguel and a few of his friends at Bexhill, had a complimentary observance in Portugal, which was described in a legitimist Portuguese paper. and, as translated by the Spanish gentleman at Hastings, was inserted in the Hastings News, with the following editorial introduction:- ‘The deep feeling in which it expresses. the affection and almost heroic attachment of the party of Dom Miguel towards its exiled head is a testimony of no common political devotion, which does honour to the people who show so much constancy, and to the Prince, who by his personal character
inspires such lasting fidelity.” The translation of the paragraph is as follows:—
“Lisbon. Sept. 29th, 1849
We to-day commemorate an anniversary which prosperity has already seen saluted by the cannon of our fortresses and the vivats of a whole people, but to which misfortune at present scarcely allows the demonstration of fond and affectionate remembrances. The salutations of that time were, sincere ones, but those of to-day were more valuable, Those were pompous, brilliant, and public; these are without pomp, without display, and almost in secret; and although both came from the heart, the last one is refined by pure affection, and therefore less liable to the suspicion of flattery. We hail this day. We are not paying a tribute to a sceptre that now lies broken in a foreign land. but homage to a character noble in itself and rendered sacred by adversity. Our homage is not the compliment of a courtier which might yet he imagined as possible towards a brow that once shone adorned by the crown; it is but the continuance of a faith, the respect and love due to the incarnation of a principle which we defend. Let no adversaries blame us for this; we offend no one by it; we only perform the right of opinion.”
Aug 17/95
MORE NOTES OF ROYALTY
To the accounts already given of the French and Portuguese exiles at St. Leonards and Bexhill may be added some obituary notices of the Dowager Queen Adelaide, whose residence at St. Leonards in 1837 has been described in this History. The death of Her Majesty occurred at Bentley Priory at 7 minutes before two o'clock on Sunday morning, December 2nd, 1849, at the age of 57 years. The remains of the Queen Dowager were interred at Windsor on the 13th of December, and the shops at Hastings and St. Leonards were closed from twelve to two. o'clock, in obedience to the Mayor's request. Flags were flaunted at half-mast, minute guns were fired from the East Hill, and the church bells rang a muffled peal. A sermon was also preached at St. Mary’s, by the Rev. T. Vores, from 2 Chronicles, xxxii, 33. Her late Majesty gave directions for her funeral, and which directions she desired should be made public. They were worthy of her exalted piety, and, notwithstanding that they differed from the ceremonial usually observed in the funeral of our kings and queens, they were, as far as possible, carried into effect. The publicity of her desires, as issued from Whitehall, was as follows:—
”I die in all humility, knowing well that we are all alike before the throne of God, and: request, therefore, that my mortal remains be conveyed to the grave without any pomp or state, They are to be removed to St. George’s Chapel, Windsor, where I request to have as private and quiet a funeral as possible. I particularly desire not to be laid out in state, and the funeral to take place by daylight; no procession, and the coffin to be carried by sailors to the chapel. Those of my friends and relations, to a limited number, who wish to attend, may do so, My nephew, Prince Edward of Saxe Weimar, Lor ‘Howe and Denbeigh, the Hon. William Ashby, Mr. Wood, Sir Andrew Barnard, and Sir D. Davies, with my dressers and those of my ladies who may wish to attend. I die in peace and wish to be carried to the tomb in peace, free from the pomps and vanities of the world. I request not to be dissected nor embalmed;' and desire to give as little trouble as possible.
— Signed Adelaide, Nov. 1849.”
It was only eleven days before the Queen’s death that the St. Leonards Oddfellows — who adopted the title of the Adelaide Lodge in compliment to Her Majesty — celebrated their anniversary by the customary dinner. The vice chairman on that occasion in proposing the health of the Queen Dowager, remarked that she was an estimable lady, whose benevolence and virtues were the admiration of Englishmen and whom some persons then present had a personal knowledge. If not too egotistical, it may here be permitted to state that the present writer who had had the privilege of serving the ex-Queen's household when at St, Leonards — was called upon at the said anniversary dinner, as Permanent Secretary, to respond to the toast of the "Adelaide Lodge", in that response he remarked it had been in bygone days the custom of the world to view with indifference those societies with which its human constituents were not immediately connected, and to regard them as things which existed in name only, and unattended with benefits to the great mass of mankind. But, thanks to the intelli-
