h the policy of her
ministers; the ear of the Sovereign is whispered from the choicest of her
subjects--the palace doors are locked inexorably against all but a
certain clique."

Let us turn from this little lecture to the Queen, honest and faithful
though it be, to the all-absorbing subject of Gossip, the Royal
Marriage--and first, and foremost, comes the Royal Wedding Cake, which
weighed nearly 300lbs. It was three yards in circumference and about 14
inches deep. This was the cake itself, which, according to a
contemporary account, "is covered with sugar of the purest white; on the
top is seen the figure of Britannia in the act of blessing the
illustrious bride and bridegroom, who are dressed, somewhat
incongruously, in the costume of ancient Rome. These figures are not
quite a foot in height; at the feet of His Serene Highness is the effigy
of a dog, said to denote fidelity; and, at the feet of the Queen is a
pair of turtle doves, denoting the felicities of the marriage state. A
Cupid is writing in a volume expanded on his knees, the date of the
marriage, and various other Cupids are sporting and enjoying themselves
as such interesting little individuals generally do. These little
figures are well modelled. On the top of the cake are numerous bouquets
of white flowers tied with true lover's knots of white satin ribbon,
intended for presents to the guests at the nuptial breakfast."

On 6 Feb. the Prince landed at Dover from Ostend, and on the 7th went to
Canterbury; on the 8th he reached London and Buckingham Palace; and, on
the 10th they were married at the Chapel Royal, St. James'; spent the
honeymoon at Windsor, and made their _rentree_ into society on 26 Feb.,
when they went, in State, to Drury Lane Theatre.

Duelling, although on the wane, was far from dead. I could have given
numerous instances of duels in the earlier part of this reign, but have
refrained, as they were of no particular interest; but the following is
an exception, as it relates to one who, in after years, was to make a
great name in history for himself.

_Times_, 4 March:

BOW STREET.--Shortly after the opening of the court yesterday
morning, and before any of the night charges had been disposed of,
Prince Louis Napoleon and Le Comte Leon, who is said to be the son of
Bonaparte, to whom he hears a striking resemblance, were brought
before Mr. Jardine, charged by Nicholas Pearce, inspector of the A
division, w