r beloved queen herself. The place appointed for this
grand ceremony was most appropriate--the square of the Horse-Guards,
in St. James's Park. The writer of this History, as he looked upon the
extensive and magnificent preparations for this event, felt strongly the
sequel it presented to the scene which he witnessed little more than
a year before, near the same spot, when the people's representatives
passed along to Buckingham Palace to assure her majesty of their
support in the war she had declared. Galleries were erected for
the accommodation of the lords and commons, for the members of the
government, and for the families of those who were to be publicly
honoured--a most graceful tribute on the part of the country to the
feelings of these gallant men. How proud that day must many a wife's,
and parent's, and brother's, and sister's heart have been, as the
objects of their affectionate solicitude bowed before his sovereign to
receive upon his breast the glorious badge his noble conduct won! The
royal family occupied a capacious balcony projecting from the lower
central windows of the Horse-Guards, which was festooned with scarlet
cloth, and otherwise decorated.

At ten o'clock on the morning of the 18th of May, the scene presented
from the windows of the Horse-Guards, and the windows and roofs of the
neighbouring houses,' was most striking and effective: a vast mass
of people filled the whole area within view, yet all preserving the
greatest order. Her majesty dispensed the medals with her own hand to
men of all ranks, and of all branches of the service.

VISIT OF THE KING OF THE BELGIANS.

In the month of July her majesty's uncle, the King of the Belgians, paid
her a visit, which excited many political rumours, and attracted much
notice throughout Europe.

HER MAJESTY VISITS THE FRENCH EMPEROR.

On the 18th of August her majesty, accompanied by Prince Albert and the
Prince of Wales, visited the French emperor.

His imperial majesty, and the people of France, displayed a cordiality
of welcome and a tasteful hospitality which rivalled those exhibited in
England on the occasion of the emperor's visit.

VISIT OF THE KING OF SARDINIA TO THE ENGLISH COURT.

On November the 30th the King of Sardinia visited her majesty, and was
received with much enthusiasm by the people. The prompt and gallant way
in which his majesty and his people had joined Western Europe in the war
against Russia made him pop