HAST THOU FORGOT THAT BEAUTEOUS NIGHT? FROM THE ITALIAN OF MAFFEI. [I have versified this little piece from a very exact literal translation, expressly made for the purpose, by my friend, Count Raphael Paravicini; and I give the latter that the reader may be enabled to judge how far I have succeeded in my attempt to preserve very nearly both the spirit and equivalent words. I may just add that a competent judge, Albert Smith, after reading my M.S. version (of which he expressed, I believe, a very flattering opinion), justly and strikingly observed what a surprising spirituelle difference there is between the genius of the two languages. In the original Italian, as he said, the piece might with strict propriety even be sung in a church; but in the English dress, although not a sentiment is altered or omitted, the idea of such a thing would be altogether revolting.-W. H.] LITERAL TRANSLATION. Dost thou remember that beauteous night Oh! what a happiness filled our hearts! My hand pressed thine; My heart throbbed on thine; With a sigh I answered to a sigh; Thy lip my lip kissed. If the Heaven decreed That that beautiful night might not return, All my life finished In that lovely kiss! VERSIFIED TRANSLATION. Had it been by Heaven ordained, Ne'er should return that night of bliss; HOME AND FOREIGN POLITICS. with the transactions of foreign states; and that conjunctures arise in which we must intermeddle for our own safety, or from motives of humanity. The present is one of those cases, although, as respects our Indian empire, and the danger to it of Russian invasion, we believe that the system of railways now in course of formation through Russia is likely to be more dangerous than the possession of Constantinople by that power. The line of railway from St. Petersburgh to Moscow will be completed, and opened probably in 1850. Another line twice as long will touch the Caspian. That may be open in 1855; and will allow armies in any number, and stores to any amount, to be leisurely thrown into Persia, or through Bokhara into Cabool or the Punjaub. Those who live in dread of Russian influence in Asia had better hasten the construction of railways in India, which would treble the present strength and efficiency of the Indian army, Europe will allow 1849 to die, and our century || parties. Meanwhile, it is a question for those alone to attain middle-age in peace. The continental who believe that we may very properly interfere nations are not destitute of quarrels, but they are in abeyance. Winter is a bad campaigning season, and the nations are worn out. But Russia is supposed by many only to wait spring for the purpose of enforcing her orders on Turkey, or seizing the Bosphorus and Constantinople. Other rumours bear that the quarrel has been settled. The latter are probably premature, and the former exaggerated The diplomatic differences now existing comprise not merely the extradition of the fugitive Hunga. rians and Poles, but also the state of the Danubian provinces, which are occupied by an army of thirty thousand Russians, while the Turks have only a small force of ten thousand men in the provinces. in consistence with the terms of the last treaty, Our Government desire, it is said, the reduc tion of the Russian army in the Danubian provinces to its treaty standard. On that account, our fleet is still kept in the neighbourhood of the Dardanelles. It is useful in that|| position only to prevent an irruption of Russians by water from the Euxine on Constantinople. A naval force could not hinder the Austrian and Russian armies from marching on Constantinople by the usual route through Adrianople. It might, indeed, prevent them from occupying the city of the Sultan, but that would form a small benefit to the Turks, if their European dominions were entirely overrun. The propriety of our policy can hardly be settled until another question, now agitating society, has been discussed-namely, have we anything whatever to do with the quarrels of foreign nations ?|| When that has been settled, the propriety of the present intervention will be open to inquiry for all The Danish and Slesvig Holstein quarrel is not yet arranged, after all the fighting that has occurred, and a friend of ours now resident in Copenhagen anticipates that there will be more bloodshed ere the business is placed on a peaceable basis. Our advice to the Danes and Swedes, who form kindred nations, is, that as neither of them have a fixed hereditary succession, they should unite their crowns, interests, and parliaments, and insist for a frontier up to the Elbe for united Scandinavia. The British Government should be wise enough, we think, to support the union, and their demand. France, we suppose, would take the same course. Many Germans would see that compliance on their part would be a wise policy, for all parties wish a strong power near Russia in! the Baltic. All Ireland, and the half of England, are involved by a new agitation for the restoration of protection. The meetings are certainly very large, and this new country party has been hitherto successful in any Parliamentary contests that have occurred. Mr. Cobden, and some other gentlemen in the north of England, are playing vigorously into the hands of the new party, by threatening not to re form the Government of the Colonies, but to take immediate measures for the dissolution of the Colonial connexion. They will thus gradually force into the ranks of their opponents a vast mass of men, who will not, on any account, at least on their account, quit the colonies. And these opponents move their men well:—a small fixed duty will satisfy them they say-five shillings, or even four, ranging up to eight, as they can arrange is all their asking. If they had been in that mood seven years since, they might have had five or six shillings of duty at the present day. Its restoration is a more difficult matter. A rumour has obtained currency, during the month, that Lord John Russell is re-converted to this fixed duty plan, which rests, perhaps, on no better foundation than the circumstance, that the Irish officials appear to have adopted that viewif we may judge, not from anything that they have yet done, but from the sayings of their friends. Another report pitches Lord John Russell into the House of Peers; makes Sir Robert Peel First Lord of the Treasury, and leader of the Commons, and establishes a coalition Government amongst parties who, being supposed to hold all opinions in common, are already coalesced. The arrangement would give discontented parties an opportunity of slipping out of their ranks, and turning into other columns. It is stated with greater confidence that Earl Grey leaves the Colonial-office, and that Mr. Fox Maule will take his place. Mr. Maule is possessed of popular manners, industry, the desire to do well, and will not over-rate his abilities, so that the colonists would be pleased with the change. RAILWAY AND JOINT-STOCK BUSINESS OF THE MONTH. THIS great interest still continues in a depressed condition, not- embodied in a separate Act of Parliament, and the said Act shall withstanding the plethora of capital which exists, and the low convey to the shareholders of the Great North of England Railrate of interest. Comparing the share lists of the opening with way Company, in guarantee for the payment, when due of the those of the close of the month, we find, instead of an improve-debentures aforementioned, all the security which the property ment that the stock of the leading companies has declined, in some of the York, Newcastle, and Berwick Company can, as on this cases as much as three pounds per share. Of those having a down-day, be made to confer. ward tendency the principal are the London and North Western, the Midland, the North Staffordshire, the York and North Midland and the York, Newcastle, and Berwick. The lines south of London are slightly on the rise, as have also been the Caledonian and Eastern Counties. It will be some time, however, ere public confidence is sufficiently restored, so as to lead real investers to risk their money with the same freedom as they do in other kinds of joint stock property, or give the prices which the intrinsic value of many of the leading lines demand. The widespread resolution, however. of the shareholders, to keep their directors in check for the future, and to enforce a rigid economy in the management of their affairs, will, in due course, produce a reaction, and bring back railway shares to something like their fair value. In the meantime, the effect of the Hudsonian blight is experienced by all. The actual business of the bygone month has been but trifling, being confined chiefly to special topics, or to the discussion of investigation reports. All that is material will be found in the following summary. Great North of England Railway.—The adjourned meeting of this company was held on Friday, 23d November, at Darlington,|| to receive the report of the committee, appointed by the meeting on the preceding day to meet the directors of the York, Newcastle and Berwick Railway, on the subject of paying the purchase money for the Great North of England Railway. Results of the conference, viz. :— "Article 1. That three-tenths of the sum of £3,547,500 due to the Great North of England Railway Company, shall be payable by the delivery of debentures, falling due on the 1st July 1853, and bearing interest at the rate of four per cent. per "Article 3. That three-tenths be payable by debentures, falling|| due on the 1st July, 1856, bearing interest at the rate of four per cent per annum. "Article 4. The provisions of the preceding articles shall be York and North Midland Railway.-A special general meeting of the proprietors of the company was held in York, Nov. 28. Mr. Thompson in the chair. The first business considered was, that part of the third report of the committee of investigation which related to the Hull and Selby shares. The proposition of the committee was, that the holders of the Hull and Selby shares should have 5 per cent. upon £8 out of the £10 called up, and that they should not be liable for any more calls. A resolution in favour of this was unanimously adopted. The part of the same report relative to the electric telegraph was next adopted. The next question was that relative to the directors. Mr. Stocks moved, on this point, that the recommendations of the committee on the subject be agreed to. An amendment was proposed to refer the subject to the next half-yearly meeting. The amendment was carried by a large majority. The meeting was then adjourned till the 4th of February, when the fourth report will be considered. A meeting of shareholders in this company was held at Manchester on Friday, 7th December; Mr. R. L. Jones in the chair, to consider the resolution of the directors, with reference to the Hull and Selby purchase shares. After some conversation, a resolution was passed, recommending that the Hull and Selby purchase should be completed, and that the directors should take the necessary steps for effecting that object. The adjourned special general meeting of the company, in reference to the Hull and Selby purchase, was held at York, December 21st; Mr. Thompson in the chair. The chairman stated that they considered that it was not desirable to complete the purchase, and they did not believe that one-half the amount required, £900,000 would be paid up. An amendment was moved to the effect that the further consideration of the question be deferred till the February meeting. The amendment was lost by a large majority, and the original motion was carried. Bolton, Blackburn, Clitheroe, and West Yorkshire Railway.— A special meeting of this company was held on Wednesday 28th November, at Blackburn. The chairman, having moved a resolution to the effect that the proposed arrangement with the East Lancashire Company be carried into effect, an amendment was proposed to the effect, that the proposition of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Company, and also the proposal of the East Lancashire Company be referred to the consideration of a committee of five shareholders; and that such committee have power to confer with deputations from both companies, and to report the result to a special meeting to be called for the purpose. The chairman put the amendment and afterwards the resolution, and the amendment was carried unanimously. London and South Western Railway.-A special meeting of this company, Mr. Chaplin, M.P., in the chair, was held on Wednesday, 28th November, at the Nine Elms Station, London, for the purpose of enabling the shareholders to determine upon the propriety of making an application to Parliament in the ensuing session for an extension of time for carrying out the powers of the London Bridge Extension Act of 1846, the powers of which will expire in August, 1850, if the proper notices are not given to keep the powers intact. Mr. Christie moved the resolution, which was seconded by Mr. Snow; when Mr. Kay, in a very lengthy speech, moved the following amendment :-" That it is at present inexpedient to apply to Parliament for an extension of the powers of the London Bridge Extension Act, 1846, it being the opinion of this meeting that the capital accounts of the company should be closed without further delay; the liabilities of the company ascertained in their next half-yearly report; and the future energies of the directors should be entirely devoted to developing the traffic resources of the company on its different lines and branches, and to introducing and enforcing the most rigid economy in every department of the company's works and affairs." Mr. S. L. Walker, of Manchester, seconded the amendment, when a discussion took place, and the amendment was carried by an overwhelming majority. Another special general meeting of this company was held on December 22, at which a committee of investigation into the affairs of the company was carried. Great North of Scotland Railway.—The annual meeting of this company was held at Aberdeen, on Wednesday, 28th November. The secretary read the report, which stated that the directors came to the unanimous resolution of recommending the shareholders to proceed with the execution of the line. For gradients 1 in 100, Aberdeen to Invernesss, all single line and works, £650,789; gradients 1 in 70, all single line and works, £548,624. A single railway from Kittybrewster to Keith may be constructed for £280,871, and for a double line of works, with single rails, £375,334. That it is more desirable to adept the latter than the former, even though the line from Keith to Inverness be never made more than a single line, or with gradients better than 1 in 70. The directors concur with Mr. Cubitt in his recommendation of forming the line, in the first instance, from Kitty brewster, near Aberdeen, to Keith, say at a cost of £350,000; purchase of Inverury Caual, £40,000; and other expenses £50,000; total £470,000, for a line 54 miles in length, extending half the way to Inverness. The contractors have agreed to take one-fourth of the whole stock of the company. The balance-sheet to the 31st of August last shows that the receipts amounted to £71,242, and the disbursements to 192,627 leaving a balance of £21,384 due to the bankers: and that the company are possessed of land and other property sufficient to meet the above balance. The report was agreed to, and resolutions in conformity therewith passed. Aberdeen Railway.-The annual meeting of this company was held on Thursday, 29th November, at Aberdeen. The report states that the line will, in a few weeks, be opened to within six miles of Aberdeen, when the carriage of goods will commence on the new portion of the line. The accounts to the 31st August show that £1,366,713 had been expended, leaving a balance against the company of £28,151. The report was agreed to. Cameron's Steam, Coal, and Swansea and Loughor Railway. -A special meeting of this company was held, on Thursday, 29th Nov., at the offices, Moorgate Street. Resolutions were unanimously passed, authorising the directors to call £4 per share, and to construct a branch line to Llanelly, 24 miles in length, at a cost of £4,500 South Staffordshire Railway.-At a special meeting of the company, held at Walsall, on Thursday, 29th November, a proposal to lease the line for a term of 21 years, at a rent for the || first year of £13,387, and £26,775 per annum afterwards, being at the rate of 4 per cent. upon the capital, £669,350-was rejected by 2,253 votes against 1,509; majority 744. The directors were authorised to raise £100,000 on debentures. Cork, Blackrock, and Passage Railway. The half-yearly meeting of this company was held on Thursday, 29th Nov., at Cork; Dr. Lyons in the chair. The report expressed a hope that by April next the line would be opened throughout to the public. The capital account showed that £66,680 had been received, and £61,627 expended, leaving a balance in hand of £5,053. The report was adopted. Waterford and Kilkenny Railway.—The half-yearly meeting of this company was held in London, Nov. 30. The liabilities of the company are stated to be £52,456, and the assets £15,550, leaving a balance against the company of £36,906. The accounts showed that £292,261 had been received, and £283,854 expended, leaving a balance of £8,409. The directors were authorised to make application for powers to raise £120,000 by the issue of 12,000 preference shares of £10 each. ment. Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire Railway.—A meeting of shareholders in this company was held at Manchester, on Tuesday, 4th December; Mr. W. H. Bradshaw, presiding. Resolutions were passed in favour of another investigation of the company's financial position, and into the policy of the manageThe meeting condemned the directors seeking to create new capital, to the amount of £500,000, before the borrowing powers of the company were exhausted. After various opinions had been expressed on the subject of the memorandum, Mr. Hubbard moved, "that this meeting do approve of and adopt, the terms contained in the memorandum of agreement read to this meeting, and that the directors of the company be authorised to carry the same into effect." Mr. Salt seconded the resolution, which was carried. East Lancashire Railway.-An extraordinary meeting of this company was held on Wednesday, December 5, at Bury; Mr. J. Grundy presided, and moved a resolution to the effect “that this meeting approve of an arrangement being entered into with the Bolton, Blackburn, Clitheroe, and West Yorkshire Railway Company, for the working of the railway and traffic of that company, by and with the rolling stock of the East Lancashire Railway Company, and confirm the terms submitted to this meeting, of a proposed contract and agreement between the two companies; and empower the directors to enter into a binding contract and agreement for the purpose." Mr. Dugdale seconded the resolu tion, which was carried without a single dissentient. Regent's Canal.-The half-yearly meeting of this company was held in London on Wednesday, 5th December. The revenue account for the half-year ending 30th September last, showed that £23,318 10s. 8d. had been received, including £2,181 for towage, and £12,261 5s. 8d. expended, including £2,971 for towage, leaving a profit of £11,057 58. Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company.—The half-yearly meeting of this company was held in London, 6th December, to receive the report of the directors, to declare a dividend, to take into consideration the propriety of a testimonial to Sir John Pirie, and to elect directors and auditors; Mr. James Matheson, M.P., in the chair. £500 was granted to the directors, to be appropriated in such a manner as would be most gratifying to the feelings of Sir John Pirie. The directors and auditors were re-elected, and a motion for a dividend of 4 per cent. for the half-year was passed amidst general applause. London and Blackwall Railway.—A special meeting of this company was held on Monday, 17th December, at the London Tavern. The adoption of the first recommendation of the committee, "that none of the officers of this company be allowed to hold offices in another company, any part of the duties of which were to be discharged during the business hours of the company," was unanimously carried. The other recommendations of the report were referred to the directors for their consideration and sanction, previous to the next half-yearly meeting. South Wales Railway.-The adjourned half-yearly meeting of this company was held on Wednesday, 19th December, at the Paddington station of the Great Western Railway, to receive the report of the deputation of shareholders appointed on the 30th August last. After a lengthened discussion, the report of the directors, presented at the previous meeting, with the exception of the accounts, was agreed to. The report of the deputation of shareholders was postponed till another meeting, to be convened specially for the purpose. ASSURANCES, &c. Subjoined will be found the most material facts that have transpired since our last, relative to this great and growing department of investment. COLONIAL LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY.-The third annual meeting of this company was recently held in Edinburgh; W. S. Walker, of Bowland, in the chair. In the report by the directors, it was stated that, during the year from the 25th of May, 1848, to the 25th of May, 1849, 205 new policies have been issued, assuring sums to the amount of £129,938 15s., yielding annual premiums to the amount of £4,635 10s. 9d. That the whole amount of assurances offered to the company, from the commencement of the business in November, 1846, when the first policy was issued, till 25th May, 1849, is £505,855 3s.; and of this amount, after deducting proposals rejected and assurances forfeited, there was in force at the date of balance the sum of £353,476 9s., yielding annual premiums to the amount of £14,279 9s. 6d. That the amount of claims which the company have required to meet since its establishment is £2,070 15s. 3d. That the directors have made good investments with that portion of the funds which was available for the purpose. That the expenses of the institution are kept within the narrowest bounds compatible with the proper management and the extended field which the company's operations embrace. The report was agreed to unanimously, and, on the recommendation of the chairman, it was agreed that a list of the proprietors should be submitted for inspection at the principal offices in London, Edinburgh, and Montreal. MANCHESTER FIRE ASSURANCE COMPANY.-The halfyearly general meeting of the court of proprietors of this company was held in Manchester on November 29; Mr. Emund Buckley in the chair. The business of the meeting divided itself into two heads. The first object was to pass a new law for the regulation of the company. The law proposed was, "To authorise the board of directors, in any case in which any of the funds of the company are for the time being invested on security of any mortgage of any lands or hereditaments, and either with or without power of sale, to agree with the mortgager or mortgagers, or with any person or persons entitled, or claiming to be entitled, to the equity of redemption in the mortgaged hereditaments, for the purchase or lease of the equity of redemption in the mortgaged property, upon such terms as the board shall think fit; or, in case of the bank. ruptcy or insolvency (whether past or future) of the mort. gager, or other the person or persons for the time being entitled to the equity of redemption in the mortgage property then to authorise the board, or any person under its direction by virtue of or under some order for that purpose in the bankruptcy or insolvency, to bid for and become the purchaser of such property, upon such terms as the board shall think fit, and generally to act therein as to the board shall seem expedient, provided that the mortgaged property which shall be the subject of any such agreement or purchase be conveyed to or vested in some or one of the trustees of the company, in trust for the sale or disposal thereof by the direction of the board, and with powers of letting, leasing, and managing in the meantime; and that the trustees or trustee shall be possessed of the money to be produced by such sale or disposal, and of the rents in the meantime, upon the same trusts as are in the company's deed of settlement declared as to the moneys thereby authorised to be invested, and the dividends, interest, or annual income thereof." The law was unanimously agreed to and passed. The second object of the meeting was to declare a dividend. The Chairman having briefly addressed the meeting, called upon Mr. Herbert Spring, the Secretary of the company, to read the report, which gave particulars of the proceedings of the company for the last year, and the same was unanimously received, adopted, and confirmed, and ordered to be entered on the minutes. A dividend, amounting to 5 per cent. for the half-year was theu declared. After providing for the payment of this handsome dividend, there is an ample reserve left of £8,618 18s. 6d. The meeting then proceeded to declare bonuses of £15 per cent. on cotton mills, and 10 per cent. on all other risks, for the last year, to all annual policy holders. This company, we believe, is the only one that makes return bon uses annually to the policy holders. The court then passed a resolution, tendering a vote of thanks to the chairman, the deputy chairman, and the board of directors, for their valuable services during the past year, and requesting, in testimony of the sense entertained by the proprietors of the value of those services, their acceptance of the sum of £600. OBITUARY NOTICES FOR DECEMBER. THE LATE QUEEN ADELAIDE. At Bentley Priory, near Stanmore, early on the morning of the 2d of December, her Majesty the Queen Dowager, after a long and afflicting illness, at the age of fifty-seven. Her Majesty retained her composure of mind to the last. The late Queen Dowager, Amelia Louisa Theresa Carolina, was born on the 13th of August, 1792. She was the eldest daughter of George Frederic Charles, Duke of Saxe Meiningen, one of the small sovereign states in Germany, and sister to the present Duke. Her mother, Louisa Elonora, was a daughter of the illustrious house of Hohenlohe-Langenburgh. Her sister, the Princess Ida, espoused the Duke of Saxe Weimar Eisanach, and with Prince Edward and Prince Gustave of Saxe Weimar, and the two Princesses of Saxe Weimar, were with her in her last moments. The early years of the Princess Adelaide were passed in tranquillity at the retired court of her father. On his death, in 1803, when she was only eleven years of age, she was left, with her brother and sister, to the guardianship of their mother, who was also appointed to the Regency of the Duchy of Saxe Meinin- || gen, until her son was of age to assume the reins of government himself. All the accomplishments befitting her high rank and sex were, under the judicious care of her excellent mother, bestowed upon her, while those sound principles of morality and religion, and those enduring impressions of virtue, humility, and gentleness, the constant exercise of which has made her name illustrious for ever in the list of England's Queens, were early and carefully inculcated on her mind. Her early years were passed alternately at the ducal palace in the capital city of Meiningen, and at the Castle of Altenstein, a picturesque country residence, where the reigning family were accustomed to spend the summer months. From her childish years, she was distinguished for her docility, her goodness, her urbanity, and for all the virtues and graces which most dignify and adorn woman, especially in her exalted position. Her kindness and condescen sion to all who approached her were the theme of universal praise. The death of the Princess Charlotte of Wales, in November, 1817, made an important change in the relations of the royal family. By that mournful event, the Regent, afterwards George IV., was rendered childless, and it became a matter of grave policy on the part of the unmarried royal dukes to contract such matrimonial alliances as might place the future succession to the throne of this country on a firm basis. The Duke of York, although married, was without issue, and the four royal Dukes, Clarence (the next in succession), Kent, Cambridge, and Gloucester, determined to marry. For the Duke of Clarence the Princess Adelaide of Saxe Meiningen was selected. Her piety, her gentleness, and her goodness, had made her known to the Royal Family of England; and, at the especial instance of his mother, Queen Charlotte, his Royal Highness, who had been for some time separated from Mrs. Jordan, solicited the hand of the Princess Adelaide. His suit was successful, and the preliminaries of their union having been settled in London, and at Meiningen, by plenipotentiaries on both sides-the Regent having signified his assent--the young German Princess, in her 26th year, quitted her fatherland to become Duchess of Clarence and the future Queen of England. The Duke of Clarence was at this time in his 54th year. Accompanied by her mother, and attended by a numerous suite, her Serene Highness arrived in London on the 4th of July, 1818, and took up her temporary abode at Grillon's Hotel, whither the Regent and the Duke of Clarence immediately went to greet her arrival, though the hour was as late as 10 o'clock at night. On the 9th of the same month, the Princess was presented to Queen Charlotte, and on the 18th her marriage with the Duke of Clarence was solemnised in the grand saloon at the Palace at Kew; and at the same time the Duke of Kent was remarried to her Serene Highness Victoria Maria Louisa, youngest daughter of the late Duke of Saxe Cobourg, and widow of the Prince of Leiningen. Their marriage had taken place at Cobourg, on the 29th of the previous May; but it was deemed advisable that they should be her Majesty never appeared to greater advantage than at that memorable ceremony, never displayed more of the grace and dignity which usually characterised her deportment than in that venerable cathedral where the potentates of England and their consorts have been invested with the outward and visible signs of regal power, at the commencement of every reign since the foundation of the monarchy. remarried in England. At these royal weddings there was nothing of extraordinary state or splendour. The marriages were solemnised by the Archbishop of Canterbury, assisted by the Bishop of London, and the only persons present were the members of the Royal Family, with the Lord Chancellor, the Earl of Liverpool (Prime Minister), and Lord Sidmouth (Home Secretary), with Count Munster (Minister of State for Hanover), and Baron Kanitz (Minister for Saxe Meiningen). The ceremony During the lifetime of the King, her husband, her Majesty took place at three o'clock in the afternoon. In the evening, took no part in politics, although often accused of exercising an the Duke and Duchess of Clarence drove to St. James's Palace, influence which never once occurred to her. During the Reform where they remained only a few days, and then proceeded, for a Bill excitement, her piety and quiet virtues did not prevent her short time, to the Duke's residence at Bushy Park. His Royal from being assailed with calumny and misrepresentation. On Highness soon came to the resolution of spending some time on the occasion of the customary address of the Bishops on his the Continent, and, accompanied by the Duchess, he embarked at Majesty's birth-day in 1832, after the King had returned his reDover, in less than three weeks after his marriage, and, proceed-ply, the Queen, in performing her part in the ceremonial, coning by way of Calais, travelled onwards to Hanover. At the time of the Duke's marriage, his entire annual income was £21,782. Upon his marriage he received an addition of £6,000 a-year, On this income his Royal Highness had to maintain a family of ten sons and daughters, besides keeping up the establishment which his exalted rank required. Under the prudent management of his excellent consort, there were few| financial difficulties in the household of the Duke. After their return to England, the Duke and Duchess resided chiefly at Bushy Park. The marriage was attended with much domestic bliss, but the untimely death of her children not only marred her Royal Highness's happiness, but affected her health. She gave birth to two daughters, the Princesses Charlotte and Elizabeth. The first died immediately after being baptised, and the second survived only for a few months, having been born on the 10th December, 1820, and died on the 21st of the following March. Her bodily strength and constitution suffered also from her being prematurely confined in 1819 and 1821, and on two subsequent occasions. On the death of the Duke of York, in 1827, the Duke of Clarence became heir-presumptive to the throne, when his income was raised to £40,000 a-year. This addition enabled the Duchess to put still more in exercise those acts of charity and generous but discriminating benevolence for which her character was so greatly distinguished, and which were the dearest objects of her heart, and the natural bent of her disposition. Her unostentatious charities and graceful hospitality increased with the increase of income. In the retirement of Bushy Park, she applied herself to such lady-like acts as fill up with usefulness a dignified and elegant leisure. An early taste for tapestry and embroidery, nourished in the quietude and seclusion of Meiningen, revived, and, together with a love of music and of the arts, filled up her vacant hours. She also read much; and her reading, if not profound, was extensive, while her judgment in music, and even in pictures, was held in high esteem. In the comparative privacy of Bushy Park, she would have been abundantly happy || but for the feeble state of her health, which even then gave warning of the premature old age that has prevented her reaching the ordinary limit of human existence. George IV. died on the 26th of June, 1830, when the Duke of Clarence succeeded to the throne, under the name of William IV. In the high position to which her Majesty was now raised as the Queen Consort of England, her conduct and bearing were the theme of universal praise. The accession of William and Adelaide to the throne was the subject of joy throughout the nation; and the Queen was deeply affected by the devotion and loyalty evinced by the people on that auspicious event. The amount of her duties and the sphere of her influence were vastly enlarged, and no one could be more conscious of the new responsibilities which attached to her in her new position. In forming her household, Earl Howe was appointed her Majesty's lord chamberlain, the Duchess of Leeds her mistress of the robes, and the late Earl of Errol, who was married to the King's daughter, her master of the horse. On the 14th January, the Whigs being then in power, Lord Howe ceased to be her Majesty's chamberlain, and the Earl of Denbigh was appointed his successor. When Sir Robert Peel became Premier in December, 1834, Lord Errol withdrew from her Majesty's service. Earl Howe resumed his former office as lord chamberlain, and the Earl of Denbigh became master of the horse. On the 9th of September, 1881, William the Fourth and Queen Adelaide were crowned in Westminster Abbey-more than a year after their accession to the throne. It was observed that cluded her answer with this very touching sentence :-"My Lords, I am particularly obliged to you for this declaration of attachment, at a period when I am most cruelly and undeservedly insulted and calumniated on many occasions." But the most gross instance of those undeserved and indecent attacks upon her Majesty occurred at the time of the dissolution of the first Melbourne Ministry in 1834, when the fact was announced in the Times newspaper, with the addition of the words, "The Queen has done it all." The article containing this memorable and unfounded expression was believed to have been furnished by a noble and learned lord, whose political conduct has not always been guided by that decorum and prudence which his high position demanded. Her Majesty's conduct towards the children of her husband, by Mrs. Jordan, was always marked by kindness and affection. After she became Queen they were retained in the closest intimacy with her court, and she saw with pleasure their names enrolled in the ranks of the peerage, as well as in beholding the King distributing among them all the private fortune which he could command. "Towards the heiress to the throne, the Princess Victoria, she ever conducted herself with the most friendly feelings. She watched her progress with a maternal care, tenderness, pride, and love, which showed the pleasure which she took in her improvement. Her last act, it may be said, as Queen Consort, was in the command for a ball of unequalled magnificence, given at St. James's Palace, on the 25th May, 1837, in honour of the Princess Victoria attaining her 18th yearthat is, attaining that age when it became eligible for her at once to ascend the throne upon the demise of William IV. The festive entertainment was but the preliminary to the King's death, for, when it took place, he was already seized with his last fatal illness." 66 was The conduct of Queen Adelaide, during the last illness of the King has always been regarded as an exemplary instance of conjugal love and devotion. Of this the best possible proofs are to be found in a small volume printed for private circulation, being an account of the latter days of King William IV. The late Archbishop of Canterbury thus alludes to her conduct, so worthy of admiration, during the last illness of her royal consort. "Three different times," said his grace, I summoned to his presence the day before his dissolution. He received the Sacrament first; on my second summons I read the Church Service to him; and the third time I appeared, the oppression under which he laboured prevented him from joining outwardly in the service, though he appeared sensible of the consolations which I read to him out of our religious service. For three weeks prior to his dissolution, the Queen sat by his bedside, performing for him every office which a sick man could require, and depriving herself of all manner of rest and refection. She underwent labours which I thought no ordinary woman could endure. No language can do justice to her meekness, and to the calmness of mind which she sought to keep up before the King, while sorrow was preying on her heart. Such constancy of affection, I think, was one of the most interesting spectacles that could be presented to a mind desirous of being gratified with the sight of human excellence." His Majesty died on the 20th of June, 1837. He may be said to have died in her arms. "His Majesty died in a gentle sleep, his head resting upon the Queen's shoulder, and her Majesty's hand supporting his breast-a position which the Queen had maintained about an hour before her fatal loss, and, indeed, during nearly all the King's hours of sleep for the last fortnight of his Majesty's illness."—Annual Register, vol. lxxix., p. 197. By parlimentary grant, her Majesty, as Queen Dowager, became |