THE HAILEYBURY OBSERVER. Liberius si Dixero quid, si fortè jocosius, hoc mihi juris Cum venia dabis. Hor. Lib. 1. Sat. iv. 103. NOVEMBER 1, 1843. A MATTER OF HISTORY. "Are not these woods More free from peril than the envious court?" It is hardly necessary to make any apology for introducing into the pages of the "OBSERVER," an unvarnished and historical account of the proceedings of the East India College towards the Queen, on the late occasion of her visit to Cambridge. It is an epoch in the annals of the College it is at least an important event, when, for the first time, the men of Haileybury were seen as a loyal collegiate body by the eyes of a Queen of England. We might also remark, that some simple statement of the facts is necessary, for the sake of those other articles on the same subject which appear in the present Number; as a foil to set off their wit more clearly now; as an explanation to future readers, both of their real meaning and intended point. We will, therefore, assume the Reporter's mantle, and begin our Chronicle. It was on Tuesday, the 24th of October, 1843, that the news first reached the East India College, that the Queen, on her visit to Cambridge, would certainly pass through the town of Ware. Almost simultaneously, intelligence was received from Ware, that the inhabitants had zealously provided superb accommodation, and platforms in their principal street, and in the best places, for all the members of the College, thereby almost necessitating their attendance. But a bare attendance, a hearty cheer, was not considered a sufficiently marked and reverential welcome to her Majesty. An address must be presented. But then, connected with an address, there are certain forms on each side, which are necessary to be gone through, preparatory to its being presented. In the first place, it must be written; in the second (more properly in the first) place, leave must be obtained to present it. Accordingly, at five o'clock on Tuesday afternoon a special messenger was despatched to Windsor, with a note to the authorities, more NO. III.-VOL. III. H particularly to the Lord Chamberlain, to ask permission to present an address from the members of the East India College, the next morning, at Ware. We hear that the special messenger walked once or twice round the castle, locking for a bell or a knocker; but not being able to find one, he at last asked the way in, of a sentinel, and finally reached the lodge of the Porter. But, unfortunately, the Lord Chamberlain had just sat down to dinner with the Queen; and though it was suggested to put the note under his soup plate, or into some paté, and thus convey it to him; yet that would not have been of much use, for even in these mild times, to be seen even reading a note at dinner, and much more to write an answer there, might be easily construed into a misprision of treason. The messenger, however, left his note (and his own card, it is said, that his patent of knighthood might be made out), but finding himself too late for the train, patiently awaited the morning, when he might return to Haileybury, with his important intelligence,-that he knew nothing. Meanwhile, in College great had been the excitement. An address, anticipating the success of the messenger's expedition, was drawn up, and signed by all the members of the College. Extensive preparations were everywhere made for conveying the students down to the scene of action, in all manner of vehicles at the Company's expense: caps and gowns were gratuitously dispensed for the use of the next day only. All was uproar and anticipation. The balmy influence of tranquil night alone quieted the universal anxiety and excitement. The morning of Wednesday at length beamed forth radiant with smiles and zephyrs to greet the auspicious, and ever-to-be-remembered, arrival of England's beautiful and beloved Queen !* In College, even before day-break, men in very large coats were to be seen walking about. From the earliest dawn until nine o'clock, the general excitement increased among the students, and was at its utmost height perhaps, when the arrival of various coaches, barouches, phaetons, post chaises, "onehorse shays," gigs, and carts of all and every degree, in most tumultuous confusion, announced that the hour at which the procession was to set out to meet her most gracious Majesty was at hand. In the extreme confusion attendant upon such a large procession, it * As our Reporter was not up very early, he begs to state that, if he has not described the real state of the morning with sufficient simplicity and accuracy, he would insert the following account. "The morning of Wednesday at length broke, but though clouded by mists and embittered by the piercing winds, it was only to give an opportunity to the softer breezes of the south, and the meridian sun, ever following the footsteps of our lovely Queen, like her, to shine forth, and at once dissipate all fears; like her to diffuse new warmth and lustre on the hearts and feelings of mankind.” is extremely fortunate that no upset or accident occurred, although the negligent driving of some of the vehicles coming in an opposite direction at times endangered the safety of some valuable lives. At length the town of Ware, and its appointed platform were reached in safety; and the authorities of the College were discovered, in a most unpleasing and perplexing state of uncertainty concerning the fate of their address, but at the same time agreeably enlivened and adorned by the company of nearly all the female beauty and fashion for which this part of the County is so deservedly celebrated. Expectation was now on the alert; the crowd momentarily became more dense, the special constables and policemen more vehement and energetic. Small boys were violently rebuked, shaken and removed. The road was cleared of all intruders, except sweeps and game-cocks. The band broke out with a splendid impromptu concerto of "God save the Queen" and "Rory O'More" simultaneously. The general interest and anxiety became intense. Every eye, every telescope was directed to the end of the street, vainly endeavouring to look round the corner. length the escort appeared precisely at thirteen minutes past ten, and, after a few moments of awful eagerness the long desired, much loved forms of the Queen and her royal consort appeared. At The cheering and tumult were now immense. Alone amidst the general confusion, dignified and unmoved, stood the venerable landlady of the Bull Inn, bearing in her hand a humble tribute of superb grapes to be presented to her Majesty. The carriage dashed up, but stopped unfortunately about fifty yards from the platform; the horses were taken off, the Queen let down the window, evidently in expectation of some formal address, when to her agreeable surprise, a basket of grapes appeared, most timidly, but respectfully, insinuated, by a neatly gloved hand. The horses were again put to, and forward came the carriage; it approached the platform, and then-it passed on-without attempting to stop. The uplifted voices, the swelling cheer of the students, sunk the same instant. They knew-they saw-their address rejected, and unnoticed. What was to be done? The only thing that remained, was to go home. Various were the reasons suggested for the impatience of her Majesty, or rather her neglect of the College address. Some said she knew nothing about it. Others shook their heads, and said she did it on purpose. Many said that the people of Ware had purposely put the platform in the wrong place; and by others it was suggested that the Queen looked offended and disgusted by the strong smell of smoke which emanated from the front parlour of the Bull Inn. The wisest people said it was dreadfully cold, and went home to warm themselves. The next day a humble apology arrived from Cambridge for the unintentional disregard of the East India College Address, as it had been the wish of her Majesty to receive it, only the shortness of the time prevented her. It was further suggested that the address might be either sent up to the Secretary of State, to London, or be presented to the Queen on her return from Cambridge on the following Saturday. The authorities of the College wisely pursued the former course; but still malicious rumour has whispered, that her Majesty, not being informed of what they had done, waited at Ware at least a quarter of an hour, on the Saturday, whilst messengers hurried about in every direction to see if the address was coming or not. But the members of the East India College were better engaged; they were holding Council among themselves. However this may be, the above is the simple, unexaggerated, unornamented and inartificial account of A PENNY-A-LINER. MOORE. THE JOYS OF EARTH. "Poor race of men !" said the pitying spirit, Some flowerets of Eden ye still inherit, But the trail of the serpent is over them all!" And is it true this world is all A passing scene of tears and woe? Who ever yet knew friendship stay In spite of pain, and fear, and sadness? Then friendship cheers us with her smile : The chill of gloom, the breath of care, Though long it may have flourished there, But Love, they say, has firmer root, Love can resist the storms of heaven, When Friendship's tones are cold or mute, When hushed the music of her lute, And all it's chords are riven— Still Love, they say, will linger then, And yet, hath love it's anguish too, Perchance the fond heart may have dreamed Who e'er can paint the fell despair, The pangs of young love unrequited, When all the heart can offer there, And e'en when all Love's flowing stream Still who can say how long his pleasure, His days of happiness may last? Stern Death may rob him of his treasure,Who e'er the sands of Time can measure, Or check its progress past? Ah, yes! 'tis better far to live In utter darkness, Stygian gloom, Than see the sole light hope could give, Flicker awhile, then wholly leave Our sight beneath the tomb |