Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1901-01-31
Prince Edward in Montpelier.

In bis history OF Montpelier, Daniel J..
Thompson, Vermont's Walter Scott, tel
an int resting story of the visit to that
place, in the winter 1790-91, Of the fatb
OF Queen Victoria. 1t was then but the,
or +, ur years from the time when the fir t
permanent s, t lement of the town had be |
effected, and Col Jacob Davis, the phone r,
had but recently completed and occupie
in the wild, rness. MIR. Thompson's to 2
runs thus:
can event occurred during the first vii
ter aitt Colonel Davis moved into his ne
house which sf orded the settlers the une,-
pected opportunity of settling their eyes 4
embodied royalty in the person OF Prip' e
Edward, on the occasion of his passas
th, ough this part of the country from Mo
treal to Boston. The prince was, of cours
the son OF The bigoted and muddy brain /
George III. and must have been, if all
counts OF hlm are correct, a true chip t
the old batsTood block. At all events, bis
sayings and doings, as he passed throue
these settlements, furnished the peop
with food tor mary merry commentary { l
his astutepess
'Reacbirg g Montpelier from Burlingtonil
one day, he and his suit put up with Colo.
mel Davis over night. Full ot the motto
that the Americans, especially on the Dor
er settleme nts OF the north, where his couI
trymen in the then recent war had receive d
veral costly lessons, were little better
than savages. and possibly still hostile
spirit, he at Fl st was evidently keenly az
pr hensive OF personal danger from a,sa''l.
nation or poison. And to guard again
the former, he had brought along with hi
band Of Is or 20 armed attendants Will
to ensure his ely from the latter, he ha
provided several of what our people call
his tasters, who must examine, taste an
eat po ton of every meal prepared TO
him before he would venture to touch
himself. He was so tar reassured, how
ever, the next morning by long talk with
Colonel Davis, who greatly ,enlightene'
him respecting the int elligence and mora
sense Of our people, and who told him
was far safer here than in the streets OF
London, that he consented to dismiss th
greater part of his armed retainers to r,-
turn to Montreal, and he then resumed b,
journey in much better spirits.
His next stop wss at Judge Paine's
ihamstown tor bis dinner. Here he be
gan to be himself again and seemed di.
posed to become quite chatty ana jocose
suppose, Madam, he said to Mrs. Paine
among other of his witty efforts, that yo,
have never read anything but your Blble
and psam bookP
go, yes, we DO promptly replied Mrs
Paine, we are all quite familiar with the
writings OF Peter Pindar.'
Those who have read the scorching
satires of Pindar on the character an
capacities of the then royal family wi,
readily appreciate the keennes of tb'
lady's report.
"Still another incident has always bee,
related by our old people, OF his journe
through Vermont, which occurred at TIE
house of shoem, ,ker on the road, wher
for some purpose, be had made short
call. By this time he had become so muci
like himself at home, that he rudel
stepped up and kissed the shoemaker
wife, observing, by way of soothing he,
evident resentment, %, never mind it
you now can tell your people you have had
the honor Of being kissed BY British
prince
$50, never mind exclaimed the in
censed husband, as he uncersmoniously
sent the royal puppy from the house b.
kick in the rear-'O, never mind, sir,
you can now 90 home and tell your peopl'
you have had the honor OF being kicked
out of doors by an American cobbler.'"