Some Selected Reports from The Windsor and Eton Express
23rd June 1827
Windsor and Eton
On Monday afternoon our town presented an animated appearance, in consequence of the expected arrival of the Queen of Wirtemburg, at the residence of her sister, at Frogmore. At a quarter before five o'clock, her Majesty, accompanied by her Royal Highness the Princess Augusta, arrived at the above beautiful seat, in am open barouche, drawn by four horses, with outriders, in the King's livery; they were enthusiastically greeted by the assembled concourse. The Queen was received by his Majesty, who had previously arrived at the Royal Lodge. On her Majesty's arrival, the bells of the Castle and Parish Church commenced ringing merry peals, which continued throughout the day. In the evening a general and brilliant illumination took place in the town.
On Tuesday morning, pursuant to a notice issued by our worthy mayor, a respectable body of the inhabitants assembled in the Town Hall, for the purpose of addressing her Majesty, the Queen of Wirtemburg, on her Majesty's arrival at Windsor.
J.Voules, Esq., the Mayor, having been called to the chair, proceeded to the meeting the object for which they had assembled. A requisition had been presented to him, signed by many respectable inhabitants, and convening a meeting to take into consideration an address, to be presented to her Majesty the Queen of Wirtemburg, on her arrival at Windsor. He was gratified in being thus able to further the views of his townsmen (and his own views in particular on this occasion); and he accordingly issued a placard for the purpose, in which all would so cordially unite. He was sure that the breast of every individual must beat high on this joyful occasion of congratulating her Majesty on her return, after an absence of thirty years.
The Rev.I.Gosset thought we were bound by every feeling of regard for the royal family to express our joy at the arrival of the Queen of Wirtemburg, after so long an absence; he need hardly mention the eminent qualities of her Majesty; her character was well known. When in England she was the pride and ornament of the British court. In foreign countries, her dignified manner and benevolence obtained for her the regard and affection of all. She had now returned, and with joy had received the congratulations which had been bestowed on her; surely, then, we ought not to be the last to welcome her back to her native shore. He should propose that an address be presented to her Majesty, expressive of the sentiment of their attachment to her, and the rest of the royal family, as a Princess of England, and a daughter of the late George III, and sister of our present monarch.
G.Hayes, Esq., in seconding the motion, conceived and hoped that the presence of her Majesty would tend to renew that familiar intercourse which had been so gratifying to the inhabitants of the town.
The Rev.I.Gosset, then proceeded to read the address, which was received with great marks of satisfaction, and was as follows:-
"To her most gracious Majesty, the Queen of Wirtemburg.
"May it please your Majesty,
"We, his Majesty's most dutiful subjects, the Mayor, Bailiffs, Burgesses, Recorder, Town Clerk, Vicar, and other Inhabitants of the Borough of New Windsor, in the county of Berks, beg leave to approach your Majesty with loyal and devoted attachment, which binds us to your illustrious family; and with feelings of heartfelt gratification at the opportunity which the safe return of your Majesty to the favoured residence of the Royal Family of England, affords us of expressing that attachment in common with all orders of our fellow subjects.
"We are not without hope that the remembrance of earlier years, when your Majesty's presence and royal accomplishments adorned the Court of Windsor, may render acceptable to your Majesty this proof of the feeling of its inhabitants, of whom, many regretted your departure, are now rejoicing at your return to your native land. Whilst there are among us those who have for many years cherished the recollection of the virtues which then dignified the character of Princess Royal of England, and have witnessed, with pride, the uniform progress of that excellence in another station, and in another country, - all heartily unite in cordial congratulation on the happy return of your Majesty to the scenes of your earliest attachments, and in sincere and loyal wishes that your residence in them may be long lasting, and accompanied with health and happiness."
On the question being put, the address was unanimously adopted, and ordered to be left at the Town Hall for signature till Thursday morning.
It was also suggested, that proper means should be used to have the address presented to his Royal Highness the Duke of Clarence, the Lord High Steward.
J.Ramsbottom, Esq., M.P., said, that no small debt of gratitude was due to Mr.Gosset, for his readiness on this, as on every other occasion, to carry into effect our views. He should propose a vote of thanks for his admirable address.
Mr.Gosset briefly returned thanks.
Mr.Ramsbottom then proposed a vote of thanks to the Mayor, for his able conduct in the chair.
On Wednesday evening, about a quarter past ten o'clock, an alarming fire was discovered in the extensive stables adjoining the dwelling house of Mr.Willis, farmer and coach proprietor, at Englefield Green. The inmates of the house had retired to rest; and such was the rapidity with which the fire communicated to the dwelling, that Mr.Willis, with difficulty saved his children (eight in number) from the destructive element. Six valuable horses were destroyed, together with a coach and harness. The Barley Mow public house, a few yards distant, sustained but trifling damage, owing to the exertions of those who had the management of the fire engines which had arrived. Great mystery is attached to the cause of this awful conflagration, as no light is, on any account, allowed in the stable after the 26th of May.