olland, Portugal,
Switzerland, all the different states of Italy, Germany, and
Scandinavia, were inferior to Ireland in the number of inhabitants and
in national resources. Good government, and good conduct on the part of
the people, it was generally believed, would develop the country to a
condition of prosperity rivalling that of most other lands.

[Illustration: 805.jpg THE GRASS MARKET EDINBOROUGH]

THE COURT.

The incidents of the year affecting royalty were few. On the 27th of
August her majesty, consort, and several of the royal children, left
the marine residence at Osborne, Isle of Wight, for Balmoral, in
the Scottish Highlands. The royal progress was marked by the usual
manifestations of loyalty. On the 7th of October the court left
Balmoral. Two accidents occurred on the railway to the train in which
her majesty travelled; the first on the journey to Edinburgh, when,
after leaving Forfar, the axle of a carriage-truck became heated by
friction, and some delay occurred, which caused alarm at Edinburgh. It
gratified the inhabitants of the Scottish capital that her majesty and
suite took up their brief abode at Holyrood Palace. Between Glasgow and
Edinburgh, while the train was driven at the rate of thirty miles an
hour, one of the feeding pipes from the tender to the engine burst with
a loud explosion; the train was obscured in steam, and came to a stand
at Kirkliston, where it was obliged to remain until assistance arrived
from Edinburgh. During these accidents the composure and courage of the
queen struck all observers with astonishment. It had been arranged that
Liverpool should be visited by the royal travellers; and a magnificent
reception was prepared for them. Her majesty was not, however, favoured
upon the occasion with that beautiful weather which generally smiles
upon her voyages, journeys and public appearances in her great cities.
One of the most gloomy and rainy days ever known at Liverpool frowned
upon the loyal efforts of its inhabitants. This did not repress their
enthusiasm. A vast concourse filled the streets, and made the most
hearty demonstrations of welcome to their queen. From Liverpool the
court proceeded to Worsley Hall, the mansion of the Earl of Ellesmere.
This was probably, the most remarkable of all her majesty's previous
journeys. The queen and suite embarked at Liverpool, in barges, and
proceeded by the Bridgewater Canal to Worsley. While at Worsley, only a
few miles from M