e tried to invent something marvellous, and
alleged that he ascended the roof of the Palace, and got down the
chimney; but there were no marks of soot on his person, and his first
story was, doubtless, the correct one.

The greatest mystery attending the affair was, how he could have found
his way to the room adjoining that in which Her Majesty slept, without
being observed. The delinquent stated that, during the day, he secreted
himself under different beds, and in cupboards, until, at length, he
gained an entrance into the dressing room; he, moreover, alleged that he
sat upon the throne, that he saw the Queen, and heard the Princess Royal
cry, but his story was such a romance, that no reliance could be placed
upon it. He was extremely reticent as to the cause of his intrusion into
the Palace, the only explanation which he vouchsafed, on being arrested,
was, that he wanted to see what was going on in the Palace, that he might
write about it, and, if discovered, he should be as well off as Oxford,
who fared better in Bedlam, than he, Jones, did out of it. Even the
stern discipline of the treadmill, to which he was promptly consigned,
failed to extract anything more out of him; his only remark, when
interrogated, being that he had got into the scrape, and must do the best
he could.

His father stated that, in his belief, his unfortunate son was not of
sound mind; but the medical evidence went to show that, though his head
was of a most peculiar formation, he was not insane. The Council,
therefore, came to the decision that it would be better to inflict
summary punishment, and he was committed to the House of Correction for
three months, as a rogue and vagabond.

If he is to be believed, he fared remarkably well whilst in his royal
residence, as he said he helped himself to soup and other eatables from a
room, which he called the "Cook's Kitchen," but no dependence whatever
could be placed on his word.

Prince Albert was taking leave of Her Majesty for the night, when the
miscreant was discovered; and the Prince, hearing a noise proceeding from
the adjoining apartment, opened the door, and ascertained the cause; but
it was not made known to the Queen till the following day, so as to
prevent any undue alarm on her part.

It is needless to say that this event excited the greatest interest, and
engrossed public attention, nothing else being talked of. The punishment
was considered far too light to deter a repetitio