82,052 in 1858. There was a decrease in
cereal and an increase in green crops. The net total decrease was 20,386
acres. Weeds are again complained of. The live stock in 1859 included
628,916 horses, 3,810,136 horned cattle, 3,588,356 sheep, and 1,262,873
pigs."

HOME.--THE COURT.

The marriage of the Princess Royal took place January the 25th, under
the circumstances referred to in a previous chapter.

One of the earliest incidents connected with the court, of any general
interest, was the investiture of the King of Portugal with the order of
the garter. This event took place in Lisbon, where the Marquis of Bath
and Sir George Young officiated, as her majesty's plenipotentiaries, in
conferring the honour. The ceremony took place on the 27th of May, 1858.

On the 15th of June her majesty, accompanied by Prince Albert, visited
Birmingham, on occasion of a "People's Park" being set apart. Her
majesty was the guest of Lord Leigh, of Stoneleigh Abbey.

A distribution of the Victoria Cross took place on Southsea Common, by
her majesty in person, on the 2nd of August.

Soon after, her majesty, attended by a brilliant court, proceeded to the
inauguration of Cherbourg as a great port and arsenal, and the opening
of the Napoleon Dock at that place. The attendance of the Queen of
England upon an occasion intended to celebrate a work accomplished for
the menace of her dominions, and more especially of her naval power in
the Channel, was generally regarded abroad as a sign of timidity on the
part of the English government, and of a willingness to conciliate the
French emperor at all costs, even of national respect.

On the 10th of August her majesty sailed from Gravesend for Germany, to
pay a visit to her daughter, the Princess Frederick William of Prussia.

The year 1858 was remarkable for the number of visits paid by the court.
On the 6th of September her majesty visited Leeds. Avast concourse of
people, from every part of the great West Riding of York, thronged the
town, and the demonstrations of loyal attachment made by the people
were most gratifying to their sovereign. The object of the visit was the
opening of the Town Hall. A great musical festival followed, one of the
most successful ever held in England.

The court, during that portion of 1859 which falls within the limits of
this History, was not in any especial way connected with great public
events.

COMMERCE AND FINANCE.

One of the most remark