ted with the court during
the year. In February Prince Albert was proposed to the University of
Cambridge as candidate for the chancellorship. He was opposed by Earl
Powis, and with such effect as to prove very mortifying to the court..
Prince Albert was elected by a majority of only one hundred and sixteen
votes, and it was obvious that but for the prodigious exertion of
government patronage, that result would not have been obtained. His
royal highness was installed publicly at Cambridge early in July. Her
majesty, having determined to accompany her husband on this occasion, a
vast concourse of persons repaired to Cambridge, and the government made
every effort to give _eclat_ to the event. The royal party travelled
by the Eastern Counties railway, and were received by the mayor and
corporation of Cambridge with much pomp. Repairing to the Hall of
Trinity, they were received by the dignitaries of the university.
There her majesty took her seat on a chair of state on a dais. The
new chancellor, accompanied by the Duke of Wellington (Chancellor
of Oxford), and other great personages, presented an address to her
majesty, congratulating her on her arrival. The prince, having read
the address, retired with the usual profound obeisances, which not only
amused the spectators, but afforded much diversion to her majesty, whose
mode of smiling indicated how much she enjoyed the burlesque of the
scene.

The following day, the Installation Ode was performed in the presence
of the new chancellor. Her majesty was present as a visitor. The ode was
composed by Wordsworth, the poet-laureate, and set to music by Professor
Walmisley. Flower-shows, public breakfasts, concerts, levees, grand
university dinners, entertained the numerous visitors of rank during the
stay of the royal party. Her majesty had seldom before been attended
by so august and splendid a retinue, consisting of Prince Waldemar of
Prussia, Prince Laurenstein, Prince Peter of Oldenburg, the Prince of
Saxe-Weimar, Lieutenant-General Sir Harry Smith (the hero of Aliwal),
the Bishop of Oxford, and nearly all the gentry of the eastern counties.
Cambridge had probably never witnessed such a festal occasion, and never
before did her majesty seem so much to enjoy herself. It was generally
observed that her fondness for the prince was carried to excess, and
that her enjoyment was mainly derived from the honour done to him. That
this amiable character, so much calculated to ensure