ed, in which Lord Lincoln, a
political _protege_ of Sir Robert's, was defeated by Mr. Hildyard, a
protectionist, by a very large majority. These events were supposed
to foreshadow the speedy demise of the Peel administration. In the
following month, Lord Lincoln was defeated at North Nottingham, polling
only two hundred and seventeen votes against one thousand seven hundred
and forty-two, polled by Lord H. Bentinck. During the early part of the
year, a serious revulsion took place in railway speculation; the rate
of money became high; a panic seized the speculators and adventurers in
such undertakings: in this way many incurred serious loss. The public
were startled in various parts of Great Britain by shocking railway
accidents, generally the result of carelessness on the part of the
officials, or deficient inspection and control on the part of directors.

On the 25th of May, her: majesty was safely delivered of a daughter.

Much interest was excited in June by a visit from Ibrahim Pasha, the
celebrated Egyptian prince and soldier. His highness inspected the
dockyards and public places, paid his respects to the court, and was
feted and entertained by public men, especially of the navy and army.

A public dinner was given to the postage reformer, Mr. Rowland Hill, on
the 17th of June, and a testimonial presented to him on the part of the
merchants of London, which (including a first instalment handed to him
in 1845) amounted to L13,360 19s. 5d.

On the 25th, the infant princess was baptised: the name given to her
was Helena Augusta Victoria. The sponsors were her Royal Highness the
Duchess of Kent, proxy for the Duchess of Orleans; his Royal Highness
the Hereditary Grand-duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz; her Royal Highness
the Duchess of Cambridge.

Prince Albert visited the town and port of Liverpool, on the 30th, for
the purpose of opening the Albert Dock, and of laying the first stone of
the Sailors' Home. The reception of his royal highness was worthy of the
great commercial community by which he was invited.

August was ushered in by one of the most terrible hailstorms ever
witnessed in London. It lasted for more than three hours, and created
great devastation. Inundations spread, and the windows of the public
buildings were extensively shattered. The glass in the roof of the
picture-gallery at Buckingham Palace was totally destroyed; the damage
was estimated at L2000. In the Houses of Parliament and Westminster