Star.
London, England, 1828-06-30 00:00:00

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ANECDOTE OF THE KING. ~
__,......_ . .
On the death of the late Organist to St. GeOige's
Chapel, Winchor, great interest was ovule by 'mini
Professors of eminence to succeed to that situation. -01 d
Horne, the music master, who taught the King, and,
ocher members of his august Family, in their juvenile
days,was at this time very low in circumstances, at ising
horn unfavourable events. The fact was mentioned to
his Majesty by one of the Lords in Waiting, who yen-
turned• to add, that the vacancy would enable the poor
old man to pass the remainder of his days in compe-
tency and ease. His M +jest! expresied his astonish•
vont that his old tutor was,still in existence, or that, if
to, he had not applied to his former pupils, stating his
embarrassment. Modest merit is always dumb—Horne
•• knew if he had made his case known, be should have'
been rebeired ; but he dared not intrude himself on his
;rations. Mastees attention."—The fact, powever, being
thus brought obis Majesty's notice, he proceeded im-
mediately to canvass the Canons and other Dignitaries
in whose gift 'the appointment lay; they had made
theil promises; but the King's wishes were a law, and
Horne was nominated to the vacancy. Wishing,,how-
ever, to gratify the old man, by himself announcing
the joyful tidings, his Majesty commanded hiin to at-
tend at the Royal Liiiige. The summons was distress.
iag : " how could he appear before the Presence,-with
a wardrobe not fit to visit a private friend.? But," con-
tinued the gratified-veteran, " it is not the coat, it is
the man, the King wants to see: I must —I will go:"
and he proceeded to Windsor. On his arrival at the
Lodge, he was received with kindness by the Maj'sr
Douro, and reftes'iments were placed bef ire him, with
an intimation that I is attendance would be requited in
the course of the evening in the drawing town. Tne
4 tinicairiverd, and-the old..man;.on eatringy was over-
?erected iiy the ccrodevrending affability with•whieh he
was received. Tne King, surrounded by theibtilliant
circle of his private Mends, rose from his seat, and
taking poor Horne by the hand, led him to the piano,
requesting him to give once more a specimen of that
skill which had entranced his juvenile mind. This was
too much—he sat down overpowered with contending
emotions, and the modest tear trickled from his aged
eye. He forgot every thing, ran his fingers over the
keys in the most abstracted manner, and was any thing
but himself. ' A few affectionate words revived him ;
and, as if inspired by the recollection of days gone by,
struck off a fantasia, which he performed with all the
execution of his best days. The King was delighted,
and asked what it was. The old man could no longer
contain his joy—" That air, your Majesty, was com-
posed by my pupil. his Royal Highness the Prince of
Wales, whets he was 18 years of ave." We need not
say that the King was highly gratified. The dignity'
of. the Monarch sank for a moment to the familiarity
of the friend; he pressed the old man's hand. told him
of his good fortune, and bade him retire and compose
himself. He remained at the Lodge 10 days, and was
then inducted into the organ gallety. He is now be-
tween 70 and 80, and performs his duty with all the
enthusiasm of his early days.

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