LOCAL NEWS.

NEW YORK AND THE VICINITY.

Movements of the Queen Dowager of Hawaii—She attends church twice yesterday—Interesting interview with deaf mutes—Queen Emma passed a comparatively quiet day on Saturday. She had her photographs taken in various positions at two photographic galleries in the morning, being accompanied by Miss Spurgin, Major Hopkins, her maid servant, and Mr. John Welsh. She also, in company with Miss Spurgin, did some shopping on Broadway during the day. The Rev. Dr. Gallaudet, Rector of St. Ann’s Church for Deaf Mutes, visited Her Majesty in the evening, and invited her to attend his church yesterday. The invitation was accepted. Gen. Darling and Col. Gerhard, of Gov. Fenton’s staff, also called and extended a formal invitation to the Queen to visit Albany, which she promised to do on her return from Boston, in the evening Her Majesty and suite dined with Hon Moses H. Grinneli and suite, and at 10 o’clock the royal party returned to the Brevcort House.

Early yesterday morning Old Trinity was crowded in every part by visitors, who, from appearances, had been attracted there by the announcement that the Queen would be present. At about half-past ten  her Majesty entered the Church accompanied by her suite, and proceeded up the main aisle, proceeded by the sexton and Rev. Dr. Vinton, who conducted her to the pew which the Prince of Wales occupied when he was here. The royal [unclear line] In the first pew were her Majesty Queen Emma, and Mr. Odel (Hawaiian Consul) and [unclear] Second—Major Hopkins, Miss Spurgin, and Mr. Chilton, Government Agent from Washington. Third—Mr. John Walsh, Mr. J. V. B. Marshall and the Swiss maid servant. As her Majesty entered the pew she knelt and remained some moments in silent prayer, and as she rose an elegant prayer book bearing a suitable inscription, and bound in royal purple with illuminated rubrics was presented to her. A suitable writing was also within the book, staiting that it was presented to her Majesty in memory of her visit and her fellowship with the Apostolic Church. Morning prayer was intoned throughout by the Rev. Dr. Vinton; the first lesson was read by Rev. Joseph J. Kinegood, of Eastern Pennsylvania. The second by Rev. Sidney Corbett, of Quincy, Ill. In the ante-communion service the epistic was read by Rev. Mr. Elesegood, and the gospel by Rev. Dr. Vinton. The music was splendid and consisted of Onseley’s service in G. the anthem, “O! Lord our Governor.” Ps. VIII, V. 1, 3, 4, by Marcello, also in G. This was the anthem sung at the Coronation of the Queen of England, and at the visit of the Prince of Wales to Trinity Church. The 41st hymn concluded the musical portion of the exercices. The solos were by Master Knowles and Mr. Yatman. In the anthem both organs were used, as they were in the [unclear] Voluntary (hallelujah chorus) Organists, Mr. W. A. M. Diller and Mr. Arthur G. Messeter. In the morning service the prayer for a safe return from sea was said, it having special reference to the Royal party. The Rev. Dr. Vinton preached the sermon from the words, “If I perish, I perish.” Esther IV: 16. He gave an account of the deposition of Queen Vashti and the elevation of Queen Esther, and remarked that this must have been no chance work, but was pre-ordained by the Almighty for the preservation of her people. He concluded by directing all to do their duty fearlessly in this world and Christ would hold out the golden sceptre of his love to those and bring them to this presence. A collection was then taken up for the benefit of the church in the Sandwich Islands, after which the congregation retired. As the Queen entered her carriage she was loudly cheered by the crowds who had collected outside the church. The party then retired to the hotel. The Queen and suite again attended St. Ann’s Church on Eighteenth street, near Fifth avenue, at 3 1/2 P. M. and witnessed the service for deaf mutes. The Rev. Dr. Gallandet explained many of the signs before the service commenced and stated some interesting circumstances connected with the church. The services were conducted by Rev. Dr. Vinton, and the sermon was preached by the Rev. Eastman Benjamin, the whole being interpreted by Rev. Dr. Gallaudet in the sign language. At the close an address was delivered by Rev. Dr. Vinton, who stated that the present was an occasion of thankfulness, inasmuch as a lady born in one of the isles of the sea and who had been lifted to a throne, had come among them to witness the miracle which had been performed, of causing the deaf to hear and the dumb to speak. It was delightful to show this miracle to her Majesty, whom God had made the instrument of making a nation Christian, which only a few years ago had been steeped in heathenism. She was now on a mission for the purpose of raising houses of mercy in her own land, and he hoped God would prosper it. By invitation, the Queen and suite remained after service, and a number of questions were asked the mutes and answered. Her Majesty, who by the way writes an elegant female hand, wrote the following, and handed it to one of the lady deaf mutes:—”My delight has been very great at being able to have prayed with you this day. I shall always remember brothers and sisters in you here when I am far away in my own land, far off, in my prayers. Do you believe we shall meet in Heaven and why?—Emma R.” The lady mute immediately wrote the following—”We, deaf mutes, are very happy to see her Majesty Queen Emma, of the Sandwich Islands to-day; and moreover we are greatly delighted in sitting with you in the house of the Lord. For myself I believe that there will be a mutual recognition in heaven.” Her Majesty then shook hands with several of the mutes, and also with the clergyman. She was accompanied to the carriage by the Rev. Dr. Gallaudet, who pressed her hand  and said, “God bless you.” She thanked him with a smile, and was driven to the hotel. This morning the Queen and suite will take the eight o’clock train to Philadelphia, en route to Washington. Mr. Cheiton, the special envoy from Mr. Seward, will accompany the royal party. The Queen will be received at Washington by Attorney General Stansbury, Acting Secretary of State.

(New York Sun, 8/13/1866, p. 1)

The New York Sun, Year 33, Number 10,629, Page 1. August 13, 1866.