Princess Victoria at Wentworth House
September, 1835
During the recent visit of the Princess Victoria to Wentworth House, much of the time of the royal party was occupied in perambulating the beautiful grounds adjoining the mansion. On one of those occasions, her Royal Highness being in advance of the party, was respectfully cautioned by an under gardener not to take a certain walk, as the late rain had made the ground, in a particular situation in it, "slape." "Slape, slape," said the Princess, with the characteristic inquisitiveness of a descendant of George III., "and pray what is slape?" "Very slippy, Madam," replied the man. However, in spite of the warning thus given, like a genuine sprig of the House of Brunswick, onward she gaily proceeded. On reaching the "slape" ground, down she came, "There," shouted the noble owner of the grounds, who, on perceiving no injury was done, laughingly approached, "now your Royal Highness has received an explanation of the term 'slape' both theoretically and practically." "Yes, rejoined the good humoured Princess, "I shall never forget the meaning of 'slape.' "
Source:Sheffield Iris.
Duchess of Kent and Princess Victoria's visit to Wentworth and Harewood
On Monday morning last, at 10, the royal visitors left Harewood House for Wentworth House, the seat of Earl Fitzwilliam. They passed through Leeds, when the corporation and the inhabitants generally, would have rejoiced in an opportunity of presenting to the Princess a loyal and affectionate address of congratulation; but an intimation had been given to the proper authorities, that Her Royal Highness could not deviate from the principle upon which she has invariably acted, namely, not to receive an address on merely passing through any town, from an impossibility of replying to such marks of respect in a manner satisfactory to Her Royal Highness's own feelings. Her sex prevents her from alighting at a hotel; and she cannot, of course, receive an address at her carriage window. However, all the population were on the qui vive to have to have a sight of Her Royal Highness. Early in the morning the note of preparation was sounded by the decorations made at the Royal Hotel, where the party were expected to change horses: a bower of laurel was formed over the entrance to that Inn, surmounted by a large bouquet of flowers, and the word, "Victoria" in silver letters, upon a rich blue ground, was stretched across its base. Four blue flags also added to the effect. It having been previously announced that their Royal Highness's would arrive at 10 o'clock, crowds began to assemble in Briggate by half past 9 o'clock, and by 10 the number amounted to many thousands. The party arrived at the hotel at 20 minutes past 11, having been compelled, for a considerable distance, owing to the dense mass of crowd, to travel at a foot pace. When they arrived in front of the hotel, the crowd was dense from top to bottom, not a square yard of the pavement could be seen, from an elevated position, along the whole of Briggate - it was one compact mass of human beings. As soon as the carriages stopped, the crowds of people became so impatient to have a glance at the royal personages, who formed the principal attraction, that it was found quite impracticable to change horses, and after remaining stationary for about 2 minutes, they proceeded forward and changed horses near Mr. Arthington's brewery, in Hunslet Lane. Here the public were gratified with a view of the Princess who had for some distance, it is said under the influence of fear, kept up her carriage window. But now she became free and affable, and inquired what could be the cause of so many persons being assembled together: when she was informed that it was to have a sight of Her Royal Highness, she appeared both gratified and surprised. The horses that were then put in the carriages were 14 beautiful grays, the postilions having all new jackets and new hats. To make a guess at the number of persons assembled is difficult. From the space occupied at 20 minutes past 11, there could not be less than 50,000 in Briggate; those in Lower-head-row and North Street would equal the population of the town, 71,000; and that along the whole line of road within the limits of the borough, the number was equal to the population of the whole borough, 120,000; but this is conjecture, and how near the truth it may be is difficult to state. Only one accident happened that we have heard of; a boy was run over by a carriage that passed through the town some time before the royal party arrived, but he is in a fair way of recovery.
The royal party also passed through Wakefield, where the assemblage of the inhabitants around the royal carriage was likewise so great, that the Innkeepers could not find even time to receive payment of their bill. Onward the royal cortege moved, greeted by enthusiastic cheers on the road to Barnsley. At Woolley Hall, the Barnsley troop of Yeomanry Cavalry, under the command of Captain Beckett, halted for the arrival of the cavalcade, and escorted the same through Barnsley to Mount Vernon, preceded by nearly 200 gentlemen on horseback. Barnsley, in the memory of the oldest inhabitant, never exhibited so stirring a scene. The whole population seemed to be on the move, and the only sentiment prevailing was, who should most show their affection and loyalty to the future Queen of these Realms. Amongst the objects most conspicuous were two triumphal arches, on one of those where the horses were expected to be changed, at the White Bear, the name of the Princess Victoria was inscribed in gold, and on the inverse in silver.
At Mount Vernon, William Newman Esq., whilst the horses were being changed, took the opportunity of congratulating Her Royal Highness on her visit to Yorkshire. The compliment was acknowledged by Sir John Conroy, K.C.B. At Hood Hill, the Wath troop of Yeomanry, commanded by Captain Lord Milton, awaited the arrival of the illustrious guests, and escorted them to Wentworth House, where the noble Earl Fitzwilliam awaited their arrival. Numerous parties from the neighbouring villages, principally females, were anxiously looking for the arrival of the royal party; their patience was at length rewarded by a full length portrait of the future Queen, exhibited in propria persona, under the grand entrance to the house, immediately on her arrival, about 3 o'clock.
Three carriages were employed by the royal party - the first was empty; the second contained the Illustrious travellers; and the last the Hon. Miss Jenkinson, and other ladies.
