elapsed since Napoleon was thus
obscure; and it was reserved for him to pass through the streets of the
great city, guarded by the household troops of her majesty, her guest,
and the companion of her consort, while her whole people turned out to
confirm her invitation, and add to the honours she had reserved for
him. _O tempora mutantur, et mutamur cum illos!_ When the illustrious
visitors entered Hyde Park, an entirely new scene awaited them.

Comparatively few of the lower classes were there; but nowhere else in
Europe could such an array of carriages and horsemen be presented. The
writer of this History took up his position near the Magazine, where a
tolerable opportunity of seeing the procession was offered; but so dense
were the carriages and the equestrians, that persons on foot were much
impeded. The imperial pair, with Prince Albert, were seated in an open
barouche. Six of the royal carriages, each drawn by four horses, and
attended by outriders, conveyed the visitors and suite to the Great
Western Station. The pace was too rapid for the gratification of the
people, and the respect due to their efforts to make them welcome.
Immediately on the arrival of the royal and imperial party at the
Paddington Station they proceeded to Windsor.*

* "Nolan's History of the War against Russia." J. S.
Virtue, City Road and Ivy Lane, London.

During the week the imperial pair were received in the City by the
corporation, and many demonstrations of respect and popular enthusiasm
greeted them. On Saturday they returned to France; where the emperor,
soon after, while riding in the streets of Paris, narrowly escaped death
by the hand of an Italian assassin.

DISTRIBUTION OF MEDALS BY THE QUEEN.

Among the home incidents which attracted the attention of the people of
England was the distribution of medals to the officers, non-commissioned
officers, and privates who had returned from the Crimea invalided or
wounded. Her majesty had resolved to distribute the medals in person,
and this greatly increased the interest of the occasion. It was deemed
by the public a most graceful and befitting act on the part of her
majesty, to give, with her own hands, the decorations won by those whose
valour so nobly shielded lier throne. The feelings of the brave men who
were to receive these decorations were raised to enthusiasm, when they
learned that they were to receive such a reward of their courage and
constancy from thei