Middletown transcript., 1869-01-09
John Bright at the English Court
From the New Castle Chronicle.

In certain circles in London conversa-
tion for the last few days has been all about
Mr.. Bright's appearing at court, which
was attended by incidents Of very inter-
esting character. Some years ago Lord
Derby volunteered a remark, considered
at the time highly gratuitous and offensive,
to the effect that Mr.. Bright could not be
''sent for" by the Queen, as he would be
distastefal person at court. A year or
two afterwarde Mr.. Bright resented this in
his own effective way, in speech he made
at Birmingham, in which he reminded
Lord Derby that there were persons who
stood upon the steps of the throne without
being able to add anything TO the security
of it by increasing the affection of the peo-
pie for it, and whose presence 30 near to it
was not national advantage.
We understand on Mr.. Gladstone mem
tioning to her majesty that he intended,
with her permission, to offer seat in the
cabinet to the honorable member for Bir-
mingham, the Queen was pleased to say it
would afford her the greatest satisfaction
if Mr.. Bright should consent to serve the
Crown-that she had read his speeches
with greet pleasure. and that she was un-
der the greatest obligation to him for the
many kind words he had spoken of her,
especially for speech he made about two
years ago in great meeting at st. James
Hall. When Mr.. Bright went to Wind
sor to take the oaths Of Office her Majesty
showed her delicate consideration for the
great commoner in a very marked way.
She sent Mr.. Helps, the clerk of the privy
council, to assure Mr.. Bright, if it was
more agreeable to his foelings to omit the
ceremony of kneeling or kissing hands, he
was quite at liberty to do so. Mr.. Bright
availed himself of this considerate pcrmis-
sion, and was very kindly and cordially
received by her Majesty, who took occa-
sion in the most marked manner TO express
her qualification at meeting him. 1t was
afterwards intimated to Mr.. Bright that
her Royal Highpess the Princess Royal
of Prussia had expressed desire that Mr..
Bright should be presented to her. This
was done, and the Princess heartily assur-
ed Mr.: Bright that she greatly desired to
be acquainted with hin-that she herself
and all the members of the royal family
were greatly indebted to him for the way
in which he had spoken of their mother
She herself, she said, had read all his
speeches, and was very much pleased tc
see him.
Mr.. Bright replied in very graceful
terms, and said if her royal highness would
permit him he would tell her what the late
Mr.. Buchanan, the American minister
when last in London, said of her to him
"that wherever her royal highness went
she shed sunshine over all her path" Mr.
Bright was very much struck with the
graceful, animated manners and genia
greeting he had the honor to receive from
her royal highness, and the young ladie,
Of the court tell with curious interest of tn,
meeting between her royal highness anc
the great Quaker courtier. Mr.. Brigh
has already become as famous in royal cir
cles as his great predecessor, William
Penn. AS great deal has been said ant
writ n about the Queens personal feelings
and as some of Mr., Gladstone's own init
mate supporters have believed till latel,
that Mr.. D'Israeli had undue influence owe
her, it is most satisfactory to hear, as W,
have on the very best authority, that he
Majesty's private reception Of her new
prime minister was SO gracious, 50 kind
even so fiaffectionate" was tho word used
as to overwhelm him with feelings of tn
warmest gratitude. Nothing onpld hav
more lightenad bis regent tolls, or cheere,
him more thaFanghlY In the happily fe,
difficulties be has hsa to contend with.
t s---=---
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