heroism of the troops in the Punjaub. The blessing
of domestic peace, and of the prospects of a good harvest were dwelt
upon in terms of thankfulness to the Divine goodness.

The session of 1849 was not in any way remarkable. Few good laws were
passed, few good speeches made, and no incidents of striking importance
entered into its history. The state of parties remained what it had been
when the session commenced; perhaps, if any change took place, the Whigs
were on the whole strengthened. Sir Robert Peel gave them a qualified
support, taking care frequently to express his want of confidence in
their Irish policy, although nothing in his own past policy warranted
the expectation that he would have governed Ireland substantially better
than his rivals.

THE COURT.

Outrage on her Majesty.--There were various occurrences in the course
of the year of interest or importance to the court, and to the public as
having reference to the court.

On the 19th of May her majesty held a drawing-room, and shortly after
her return, drove out with three of her children in the park. She was
returning a little before six o'clock, when a shot was fired as the
carriage passed down Constitution Hill by a man who stood within the
railing of the Green Park. He was seized, and narrowly incurred being
torn to pieces by the people, who were in a state of furious excitement
at the occurrence. He was eventually rescued from the populace by the
park-keepers and police and conducted to the guard-house of the palace.
Her majesty displayed the coolest self-possession and courage. Prince
Albert, who rode on before, heard the occurrence from her majesty's lips
as she alighted. The name of the criminal was Hamilton; he was a native
of Adair, county Limerick, Ireland. General Wemyss, who rode exactly in
the line between her majesty and the criminal, thought that the pistol
was fired at him, and was of opinion that, had it been loaded with ball,
he must have been struck; he also considered the report to be from a
blank cartridge. This opinion proved to be correct, he had no intention
of hurting any person, and seemed either to have been actuated by a
desire for display, or to place himself in the hands of the authorities
as a criminal, for sake of maintenance, as he was in great destitution.
He was sentenced to seven years' transportation.

THE QUEEN'S VISIT TO IRELAND.

The ministry had, with much wisdom, advised her majesty to visit Ire