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The Charles P. McIlvaine letters were written in the 18th and 19th century and therefore may contain language that we understand today as harmful or offensive. You may encounter paternalist descriptions of Native Americans, racial slurs, or sexism. For more information, see our policy page.
Description
Account of visit of Prince of Wales
ISBN
KMcI 601001
Date
10-1-1860
Keywords
letter, McIlvaine, son, Prince of Wales
Recommended Citation
McIlvaine, Charles Pettit, "Letter to son" (1860). Charles Pettit McIlvaine Letters. 40.
https://digital.kenyon.edu/mcilvaine_letters/40
Rights Statement
Transcript
Home Oct. 1, 1860
My dear Son -
I embrace the first opportunity to give you an account of the visit of the Prince to us as well as Cinc. You will see the newspaper [?] in the Commercial back I will send with this - On Saturday morning, I went to the Bunnet House, where they had arrived at 2 A.M. to see the Duke of New Castle to when. I had a letter delivered on his arrival saying I would wait on him, to make arrangements for the attendance of the part at Church next day. He came as soon as he was dressed to one of the [??] of the hotel where the city on __ the, Mayor &c were waiting All stood aside for our conference -- in which I invited the Prince & [?] to my house on their way to Mr Browlan[?] where I had been [?] arranged that after a drive through the City + Clifton [?] Should lunch, He [?]should be so that he would order the coachman to drive to my house. He said he though they would get out about 3 P.M. Charley had arrived in from Gambier on prupose to see the Prince not expecting more than to see him in Church. Though I had thought of his coming to my house, I had not seriously supposed it would be. But the [??], I hastened home, while they set out on the tour through the city, set all Lands to getting ready, man to mowing the prof in front of the [?] Charley raked as hard as he could, + when we thought we had [?] him yet, lo they were entering our gates. I had just thought to change my hat when the whole [?] was at the door. The first [?] can often [?] with [?] containing the Prince, Lord [?], Duke of New Castle + Earl St. G[ermain]. The next Mayor George Bruce + [?] or so - four or five [?]- with the mayor + city committee in which were Judge [Storer], Rufus King, &c. Your poor mother was unwell & + [?] + stayed up stairs, seeing [???]. The Prince came just and I [?] to him and the chief gentleman of his [??] of Enemy & Anna, with whom all took lunch. Charly being taken by surprise, did not get in till the introduction was over & I did not see him so that to my great sorrow, he was not introduced. They [?] around 20 minutes in the parlour. The room quite filled. After I had sufficiently conversed with the Prince, I left him for Nain and [?] who mighitly enjoyed the occasion. Anna did not get to converse with him, some of the other great folks having occupied her conversation. The Prince was very simple & easy & [?] in [??] & made your sister feel gentle at ease. Of course they fell in love with him. Leaving our house they went to Mr. B[?]’s, enjoying [??], delighted with & surprised at the beauty of Ch[?] & the [??] As we entered the gate of Mr. B’s grounds, we were [?] that he had not got in from the city. I concluded that as they had arrived so much sooner than he expected. I should have to do all the [?] of the house. I [??] and went just. The servant at the door said Mr. B. had not got home. What was to be done[?] The Prince & the Duke were in the door & I was just going to [?] & apologise for Mr. B’s absence when he came from within - just arrived. At the tall gate [?] told him the party had [?] a half hour. Fortunate that they [?] or [??]. Mr. B ran his horse all the way from [?]. After all were introduced, I had to take the chief of the matter on myself as Mr. B. felt a little at a loss & had all his entertainment to think of. After a while in the drawing room, the gentlemen [??] advising the house, & I think [?] arranged at to [?] & [?]. I proposed to the Prince a stroll on the grounds as the day was very fine. So he & I went together & the rest scattered where they would. He & I were together without any one else to interrupt I should think altogether a half hour, when lunch time came. I think [??] & [?] he left. The duke went to [?]. The [?] was very handsome- but no ladies present which was a mistake. We strutted around the grounds [?] it was finished- they took carriage & returned to the city.
Sunday morning. The last arrangement was made at St. John’s - the congregation proper- with such of their [?] when they thought to [?] with them- entered by the side door and through the basement at ½ past ten. On that the first doors were kept closed till the party came. The Mayor had a [?] free on the [?]. When the party entered, the church was completely occupied except the [?] pew up front. 3 each side of the middle aisle [?] being meant which had been reserved for the guests. [?] was greater order & [?]. I had directed that every thing should be exactly as [?] in appearance of [?] in the services or the [?] of [?] than of any [?] on the occasion. Dr. Greenleaf read the pages. Mr. Heather the [?]. Dr. [Browner] the Epistle. I the [?] communion & Gospel. [?] an [?] appearance of attempting a [?]. I directed more than [?] simplicity in the opening. The 100th Po. to Old [?] was excellently sung by the whole congregation. The only change in the service was that I directed the words “The Queen of Great Britain” to be inserted in the Prayer for our President, [??] after the President & before “and all others [?] authority” I preached on Rev. 111, 9 & 10.
Once or twice before service & before they [?] the Prince nodded to your sister. I bid them all good bye in the [??] through which they retired in [?] to and the [?]. It was the first service they had attended in the U.S. except that of a little P[?] church in the province where they stopped to shoot the next day. & I am sure they got a good [impression] of our church, for I never knew a congregation better behaved, and the church had just been nicely filled up anew.
As he [?] and bade me good bye, he said he should hope to see me in England, so that when I go next I shall just order my cab to take me and my “plunder” to St. James or [??] (you know) and call for a room [??].
I forgot to say that little Ellie is greatly put up with what she will have to [?] all her life [?], and that the Prince took off his hat to her. As the carriages were passing [?] gate, she and Ellie were standing out in front of the house, and the Prince bowed to them as he passed. Now I must stop.
Your dear Father--