sappointment； for though the bride was impatient to land； because suffering from prostration consequent on a rough voyage and severe illness； she was not； in observance of court etiquette； permitted to leave the ship until the king arrived。 This did not take place until six days later； Charles being detained in town by reason of some important bills then passing in Parliament； which it was necessary for him to sign。 He had； however； despatched his royal brother of York； then Lord High Admiral of England； to meet her at sea； and give her greeting in his name。 Accordingly the duke had encountered the fleet at the Isle of Wight； and gone on board the queen's ship； when she received him in her cabin seated under a canopy on a chair of state。 His royal highness expressed his joy at her arrival； presented 〃his majesty's high respects and his exceeding affection for her；〃 and paid her many compliments。 Lord Chesterfield； who had been appointed chamberlain to the queen； tells us： 〃Although James； in consequence of his near connection with the sovereign； might have saluted the royal bride； he did not avail himself of this privilege； out of a delicate regard to his majesty's feelings； that he might be the first man to offer that compliment to his queen； she coming out of a country where it was not the fashion。〃 The Duke of York presented some noblemen who had accompanied him； after which she introduced the members of her suite。 The queen and her brother…in…law then held a conversation in the Spanish language； when James assured her of his affection； and besought her to accept his services。 To these compliments she replied in like manner； when he arose to depart。 The queen advanced three paces with him； not withstanding that he protested against such courtesy； bidding her remember her rank。 At this she smiled； and answered with much sweetness； 〃She wished to do that out of affection； which she was not obliged to do〃a reply which made a favourable impression on his mind。 Whilst she continued on board； the duke and his suite visited her daily； entering freely into conversation with her； and finding her 〃a most agreeable lady。〃 Probably at the desire of the king； she left the ship before his arrival； and was conveyed to his majesty's house at Portsmouth； where she was received by the Countess of Suffolk； first lady of the bedchamber； and four other ladies who had been appointed members of her household。 One of her first requests to these wasas may be learned from a letter of Lord Sandwich； preserved in the Bodleian library〃that they would put her in that habit they thought would be most pleasing to the king。〃 Before leaving the 〃Royal Charles〃 she spoke to all the officers of the ship； thanked them for their services； and permitted them to kiss her hand。 She then presented a collar of gold to the captain； and gave money to be distributed among the crew。
When at length the parliamentary business was concluded； the king found himself in readiness to depart。 The last words he addressed to his faithful commons before starting are worth recording： 〃The mention of my wife's arrival；〃 said he； in the pleasant familiar tone it was his wont to use； 〃puts me in mind to desire you to put that compliment upon her； that her entrance into this town may be made with more decency than the ways will now suffer it to be； and to that purpose I pray you would quickly pass such laws as are before you； in order to the mending those ways； that she may not find Whitehall surrounded with water。〃
At nine o'clock on the night of the 19th of May； his majesty left London in Lord Northumberland's carriage； on his way to Portsmouth。 Arriving at Kingston an hour later； he entered Lord Chesterfield's coach； which awaited him there by appointment； and drove to Guildford； at which town he slept the night。 In the morning he was up betimes； and posted to Portsmouth； where he arrived at noon。 The queen； being ill of a slight fever； was yet in bed： but the king； all impatient to see the bride which heaven had sent him； sought admittance to her chamber。 The poor princess evidently did not look to advantage； for his majesty told Colonel Legg he thought at first glance 〃they had brought him a bat instead of a woman。〃 On further acquaintance； however； she seemed to have afforded more pleasure to the king's sight； for the next day he expressed the satisfaction he felt concerning her； in a letter addressed to the lord chancellor； which is preserved in the library of the British Museum； and runs as follows：
〃PORTSMOUTH； 21st May （Eight in the Morning）。
〃I arrived here yesterday about two in the afternoon； and； as soon as I had shifted myself； I went into； my wife's chamber； whom I found in bed； by reason of a little cough and some inclination to a fever： but I believe she will find herself very well in the morning when she wakes。 I can now only give you an account of what I have seen abed； which； in short； is； her face is not so exact as to be called a beauty； though her eyes are excellent good； and not anything in her face that in the least degree can shock one： on the contrary； she hath as much agreeableness in her looks altogether as ever I saw； and if I have any skill in physiognomy； which I think I have； she must be as good a woman as ever was born。 Her conversation； as much as I can perceive； is very good； for she has wit enough； and a most agreeable voice。 You would wonder to see how well acquainted we are already。 In a word； I think myself very happy； for I am confident our two humours will agree very well together。 I have no more to say： my Lord Lieutenant will give you an account of the rest。〃
The king was attended by Lord Sandwich during this interview； and his lordship； in a letter addressed to the lord chancellor； informed him the meeting between his majesty and the infanta。 〃hath been with much contentment on both sides； and that we are like to be very happy in their conjunction。〃 Next morning the Countess of Suffolk； and other ladies appointed to wait upon the bride； dressed her according to the English fashion； in 〃a habit they thought would be most pleasing to the king；〃 in which she was married。 The ceremony was first performed according to the rites of the Catholic Church； by the Rev。 Lord Aubigny； brother to the Duke of Richmond； in the queen's bedchamber； that apartment being selected for the purpose； as affording a privacy necessary to be maintained； by reason of the prejudice then existing towards Catholicism。 There were present the Duke of York； Philip； afterwards Cardinal Howard； and five Portuguese； all of whom were bound over to keep the strictest secrecy concerning what they witnessed。 Later in the day； Dr。 Sheldon； Bishop of London； married their majesties according to the form prescribed by the Church of England。 The latter ceremony took place in the presence chamber。 A rail divided the apartment； at the upper part of which the king and queen； the bishops； the Spanish Ambassador； and Sir Richard Fanshaw stood； the lower portion being crowded by the court。 When Dr。 Sheldon had declared their majesties married； the Countess of Suffolk； according to a custom of the time； detached the ribbons from the bride's dress； and； cutting them in pieces； distributed them amongst those present。
Feasting； balls； and diversions of all kinds followed the celebration of the royal nuptials； and for a time the king was delighted with his bride。 Four days after the marriage he writes again to the lord chancellor in most cheerful tone：
〃My brother will tell you of all that passes here； which I hope will be to your satisfaction。 I am sure 'tis so much to mine that I cannot easily tell you how happy I think myself； and must be the worst man living （which I hope I am not） if I be not a good husband。 I am confident never two humours were better fitted together than ours are。 We cannot stir from hence till Tuesday； by reason that there is not carts to be had to…morrow to transport all our GUARDE INFANTAS； without which there is no stirring： so you are not to expect me till Thursday night at Hampton Court。〃
They did not reach the palace until the 29th of May； that being the king's birthday； and； moreover； the anniversary of his entrance into London； a date which the Queen's arrival now caused to be celebrated with triple magnificence and joy。 When the coach that conveyed their majesties drew near； the whole palace seemed astir with happy excitement。 Double lines of soldiers； both horse and foot； lined the way from the gates to the entrance。 In the great hall the lord chancellor； foreign ambassadors； judges； and councillors of state awaited to pay homage to their majesties； whilst in various apartments were the nobility and men of quality； with their ladies； ranged according to their rank； being all eager to kiss the new queen's hand。 Sure never was such show of gladness。 Bells rang people cheered； bonfires blazed。
In the evening news was brought that the Duchess of York was being rowed to Hampton from town； hearing which； the king； with a blithe heart； betook his way to meet her through the garden； now bright with spring flowers and fragrant with sweet scents； till he arrived at the gate by which the silver streak of the plea