rn Athens" vied with those of the other great
cities of her majesty's dominions in enthusiastic loyalty. The queen
took up her residence in Holyrood House, which greatly gratified the
national feeling of the Scotch. Immediately on her arrival, she entered
the apartments which were once occupied by the beautiful and unfortunate
Mary, Queen of Scots. Her majesty regarded the historical objects there
presented to her, with melancholy interest. The following day the royal
family ascended to the top of Arthur's Seat, where it was said her
majesty was intensely excited by the magnificence of the scenery. The
following day, Prince Albert laid the foundation-stone of the Scottish
National Gallery. The remaining portion of the day was spent in visiting
remarkable persons and places. On the day following, her majesty and
suite proceeded to Balmoral. On the 10th of October the court left their
Scottish retreat, and returned to Edinburgh, remaining at Holyrood
Palace for the night, and the next day proceeded to England. The first
tidings which met her majesty on her return to Buckingham Palace were,
of the death of the Queen of the Belgians, her august aunt, by marriage.

[Illustration: 796.jpg HOLYROOD PALACE]

_The Queen and the Papal Aggression_.--During the winter, while the
court was at Windsor, the papal aggression disturbed the country. It was
known that her majesty felt great indignation, and her people determined
to regard the act of the court of Rome as an insult to her as well as to
the nation. The corporations of London and Oxford, and the University of
Oxford, have the privilege of demanding audience of the crown; they were
all received by the queen in a manner to mark her sense of the indignity
offered to her by the Roman court.

_Assault on the Queen_.--On the 27th of June, her majesty having visited
her uncle at Cambridge House, as she re-entered her carriage, a man
rushed forward and struck her on the face with a cane; the blow drew
blood, and caused a considerable swelling. A poor man present instantly
struck the ruffian in the face in return; and other bystanders seized
him, and handled him very roughly. He was taken into regular custody by
the police, and interrogated at the Home Office. He had been an officer
in the army. He was sentenced to seven years' transportation. His sanity
was doubted, as his manners were incoherent.

DEATHS OF REMARKABLE PERSONS.

During the year a number of persons died rema