Star.
London, England, 1818-04-30 00:00:00

tzti-Ekr. VISIT TO THE titsi.
Yesterdly, at a quarter before one o'Elock, the
QUEEN, accompanied by the Princess AUGUSTA and
the Princess of HESSE HOMBREG, attended by the
Countess of CARDtGAN, left the Queen's Palace in'
her carriage, preceded by the Duke of KENT and the
Prince of liEssE Hobnail°, attended by Earl Moa-
vox, her Majesty's Chamberlain, and Earl Hatiscouar,
the Master of the Horse to the Queen, proceeded to-
wards the Mansion Hotise, to be present at the exa-
mination of the National Schools of the three Dis-
tricts in the City. The Duke and Duchess of Yogic
went about the same time. The Royal Party were
preceded by Mr. LEE, the High Constable for West-
minster. It was the first instance of such a visit of

Royalty for almost a century, and; as might be ex-
pected, thousands filled the streets, and business was
in a great measure suspended in those streets through
which her MAJESTY passed.
The arrangements made in the Egyptian Hall
were of the most admirable nature. A small chair
of state was placed in front of the hustings for the
QUEEN, as also chairs on either side for the other
branches of the Royal Family and their immediate
attendants. This division of the hustings was thickly
carpeted, and covered over with thick scarlet cloth.
Three other divisions were made behind, for the re-
ception of the Ladies of Nobility, persons of distinc-
tion, the Aldermen and their Ladies, and other City
Characters. 'The north, south, and west ranges of
the Hall, extending some distance without the pillars,
were fitted up with elevated benches for the Subscri-
bers to the Schools and the Ticket-holders.
The seats exhibited I display of female beauty and
crowded elegance rarely witnessed. It was difficult
to imagine how such a scene should be preserved,
after such a struggle to obtain admission. The centre
of the Hall, which formed a square area, was set
apart for the exhibition of the children ; and, about
one o'clock the latter entered the room, preceded
by the Rev. Mr. Ilissimit, Secretary to the London
National Schools. Their appearance excited the most
lively feelings, and the admirable order in which as
they entered they formed themselves into a solid
square, produced astonishment. The number, com-
posed of males and females, which could be thus ac-
commodated, was at least one thousand.
About half-past one o'clock the arrival of her MA-
JESTY was announced from without by trumpets and
the acclamations of the populace. The QUEEN and
her suite, and the other branches of the Royal Fa-
mily, entered at the western door of the Mansion
House, and were conducted to the receiving-room by
the LORD MAYOR and LADY MAYORESS, Lady SYL-
VESTER, and other personages appointed to receive
them. Shortly before two o'clock, the great state
door of the Egyptian Hall was thrown open, and the
entrance of her MAJESTY announced. The Alder-

men and other City Officers having ranged them- I
selves on either side, the Earl of MORTON, Colonel.
DESBROWE, and others of her MAJESTY'S attendants,
ascended the hustings. The QUEEN immediately fol-
lowed, and her appearance elicited a spontaneous
burst of applause from the whole assembly, who stood
bowing as she entered.
Her MAJESTY was led to her seat by the LORD
MAYOR, and her entrance was succeeded by those of
the Princesses ELIZABETH of HESSE HOMBERG and
AUGUSTA, the Duke and Duchess of YORK, the Duke
of KENT, and the Prince of HESSE HOMBERG. Upon
'casting a glance at the immense assembly around
her, and particulirly upon the children who stood
before her, she seemed deeply impressed.
The Reverend Mr. HESKETII and the other officia-
ting Gentlemen of the Institution having made the
necessary arrangements, the examination of the
chil-
dren commenced. After a hymn had been sung,
appropriate to the occasion, two boys, monitors, read
1 the prayers in a singularly impressive manner, and
in which her MAJESTY and the other branchessof the
Royal Family joined the children with fervency.—
These being concluded, the whole of the Schools de-
parted, in the order in which tlry entered the Hall,
and being comparted into classes, they again entered
successively, and.exhibited in the most extraordinary
manner the results of that information and instruction
which, under the system laid down by the celebrated
13r. BELL, they had obtained. Spelling, reading,
numeration, an acquaintance with the Catechism,
and the knowledge of the Holy Scriptures, were the
principal subjects upon which the children were exa-
mined', and they evinced an experience which was
almost as delightful as it was incredible.
The QUEEN was greatly affected during the exami-
nation, and listened with mach gratification, while,
she also read and compared the various propositions
put to the judgment of the children. The female
part of the School exhibited a variety of needle figure
work, curious samples, &c. These delighted her
MAJESTY much, and, aided by the Princesses ELIZA-
BETH and AUGUSTA, she took much pains in their
inspection.
Throughout the interesting scene. the QUEEN fre-
quently conversed with the Archbishop of CANTER-
BURY, the Bishops of LONDON, CHESTER, &c. who
explained the proceedings and the system of the
Schools. The Rev. Mr. HESKETH and another Di-
wine, who examined the children, were particularly
addressed by her MAJESTY, who expressed her entire
gratification and satisfactiodat the result of their phi.;
lanthropic labours. The ordeal of the classes having
been gone through, the whole .of the children were
again marched into the Hall, and, upon a signal,
prayers were again made. After the Veal Creator
had been pronounced, the children rose and sung
God save the King, in which also her MAJESTY
seemed to join, but occasionally under some suffer-
ing of mind. TO the stanzas of invocation to the
Kis% the following were added, and sung in admi-
rable style for her MAJESTY, and drew forth the
most unbounded applause:
K Then, as the strain we raise
Which our old Father's praise
Still loves to breathe,
Mother of Britain, thou
Wilt not disdain the vow,
But let thy gentle brow
Grace the fair wreath!
Loa where these little bands
Bless with their helpless bands
That brow serene!
Kindly approve, while we
Bid their pure infancy
Lisp forth its prayer for thee—
GOD bless the Quzis!"
The LORD MAYOR then came forward, and ad'
dressed the little flock, as follows:—" My dear little
cid:dren, it is a source of unbounded gratification to