jects to participate, Mr. Braham was introduced to
sing his then newly-composed song, "A Bumper of Burgundy," when the
gratified monarch, rising from his chair, was, with difficulty,
restrained from conferring immediate knighthood on the flattered
musician.

* * * * *

Three well-known railways were opened this year; the Great Western, from
London to Bristol, on 30 June; the London and Blackwall, on 2 Aug.; and
the London and Brighton, on 21 Sep.

On 18 Oct. was a remarkably high tide in the Thames, which did an immense
amount of damage. This, and another event were celebrated in a
contemporary ballad, beginning:

"There's lately been a great high tide,
Nor can it be surprising,
When everything is getting dear,
That water should be rising,"

and after dealing with that event in a very witty manner, it went on:

"The Tower of London, envying
Father Thames's notoriety,
Resolved to have a 'flare up'
And be talked of in society;
Ten thousand guns were fired at once,
With very few escapers,
But, though no one heard the great report,
There was one in the papers."

This terrible conflagration was first noticed about half-past ten, on the
night of 31 Oct., by a sentinel on duty on the terrace near the Jewel
Office, whose attention was attracted to a glimmering light under the
cupola of the Round, or Bowyer Tower--which was close to the Armoury, in
which was deposited an immense amount of stores, such as muskets, etc.,
and many priceless trophies of war. When the sentinel found the light
increased, he gave the alarm by firing his musket, and the whole of the
garrison, officers and men, turned out; but the fire had got so great a
hold that, before a sufficient supply of water could be obtained, the
entire roof of the Armoury was in flames.

Unfortunately, it was low tide in the Thames, and, although the
fire-engines soon arrived, and there were the Garrison and 250 policemen
to render assistance, the flames spread rapidly; so fast, indeed, that
the only things then got out and saved, were the Duke of York's sword and
belt, and a beautiful Maltese gun.

The grand staircase of this Armoury was considered one of the finest in
Europe, and the following is a contemporary description of it. "In a
recess on the landing was a platform supported on eight brass six-pounder
guns, taken at Waterloo, and which served as pillars.