THE KING IN SCOTLAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12270, 14 May 1903, Page 5

THE KING IN SCOTLAND.

LEVEE AT HOLYROOD PALACE. By Telegraph.—Press Association.—Copyright. (Received May 13, 11.59 p.m.) London, May 13. A thousand people attended the King's levee at Holyrood Palace, and 600 ladies in morning dress the Queen's Court. A picturesque bodyguard of archers, under the Duke of Buccleuch, was on duty at the palace. The King conferred a baronetcy upon Mr. James Steel, Lord Provost of Edinburgh.

King Edward i 3 the first Sovereign to hold Court in Holyrood Palace since George IV. held his memorable levees in August, 1822. George resided at Dalkeith, and visited Edinburgh only to fulfil public engagements. The visit of George greatly excited Scottish society, which at that time was led by Sir Walter Scott. Everything was done on a magnificent scale, and so servile did the great Sir Walter appear at the various functions that he incurred the wrath of many citizens, who could see in the Sovereign only a man placed in a high position. To such extremes did the novelist's loyalty run that at the public banquet held on Saturday, August 24, he seized the glass which.the King had used and placed it in his coat pocket to preserve it as a family heirloom. So excited did he become in the course of the proceedings, however, that he forgot his valuable possession, sat down abruptly, and smashed the souvenir, fortunately without damaging his person, although tho in.jnrv to his feelings must have been great, At the first levee at Holyrood King George appeared in a full Highland uniform, his kilt, which a chronicler of the times states was very short (a feature of the ancient garb), being of Stuart tartan. He wore the Highland broadsword, pistols, and philibeg, and had quite a martial air.