MR BRIGHT AT COURT.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 485, 1 April 1869, Page 3

MR BRIGHT AT COURT.

The Neiccastle Chronicle, referring to Mr Bright's reception by the Queen on the occasion of his acceptance of office, says:—We understand on Mr Gladstone mentioning to Her Majesty that he intended, with her permission, to offer a seat in the cabinet to the hon. member for Birmingham, the Queen was pleased to say it would aflbrd her the greatest satisfaction if Mr Bright should consent to serve the Crown—that she had read his speeches with great pleasure, and that she was under the greatest obligation to him for the many kind words he had spoken of her, especially for a speech he made about two years ago is. a great meeting in St. James's Hall. It will be remembered that Mr Ayrton, at the meeting referred to, had cast some reproach upon Her Majesty for living so long in retirement, and neglecting what he termed "her duties to society." Mr Bright warmly vindicated Her Majesty, and said the Queen who had the human tenderness to nurture in her breast a noble sorrow, was not a woman to be wanting in regard or affection for her people. When Mr Bright went to Windsor to take the oaths of office Her Majesty showed her delicate consideration for the great commoner in a very marked way. She sent Mr Helps, the clerk to the Privy Council, to assure Mr Bright if it was more agreeable to his feelings to omit the ceremony of kneeling or kissing hands, he was quite at liberty to do so. Mr Bright availed himself of this considerate permission, and was very kindly and considerately received by Her Majesty, who took occasion "in the most marked manner to express her gratification at meeting him. It was afterwards intimated to Mr Bright that Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal of Prussia had expressed a desire that Mr Bright should be presented to her. This was done, and the Princess heartily assured Mr Bright that she greatly desired to be acquainted with him—that she herself and all the members of the Royal family were greatly indebted to him for the way in which he had spoken of their mother. She herself, she said, had read all his speeches, and she was very pleased to see him. Mr Bright replied in very graceful terms, and said if Her Royal Highness would permit him he would tell her what the late Mr Buchanan, the American Minister, when last in London, said of her to him, "that wherever Her Royal Highness went, she shed sunshine over all her path." Mr Bright was very much stiuck with the graceful, animated manners and genial greeting he had the honor to receive from Her Boyal Highness, and the young ladies ot the Court tell with curious interest of the meeting between Her Royal Highness and the great quaker courtier. Mr Bright has; indeed, already become as famous in royal circles as his great predecessor, William Penn.