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regret that some man of the independent position and weight of Richard Cobden was not alive to put before the country in the manner which he knew so well how to do the common sense and the reasons of the matter.

27. CRICKET. The annual struggle between the rival Universities, Oxford and Cambridge, was brought to a close at Lord's Ground, and resulted in favour of the "dark blues" with eight wickets to fall. Mr. Butler bowled magnificently for the winners throughout, obtaining no less than fifteen wickets. This victory left Oxford still one behind her rival, she having won seventeen matches, whilst Cambridge had placed eighteen wins to her credit.

29. THE EMPEROR OF BRAZIL.-Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Brazil (Don Pedro II., and Theresa, daughter of Francis I., King of the Two Sicilies) arrived at Dover from Calais in the French mail steamer "Napoleon." The Princess de Joinville accompanied their Majesties. On the arrival of the steamer at the Admiralty Pier, their Majesties were received by the Count and Countess d'Aquila, who were attended by General Marcelli, Mdlle. de Lisboa, the Duke de Nemours, and the Duke d'Alençon. In deference to the wishes of the Emperor and Empress, any official reception on the part of the local military or municipal authorities was dispensed with; but Mr. S. M. Latham, Vice-Consul in Dover for the Brazils, and other gentlemen were on the pier, where there were a large number of spectators.

Their Imperial Majesties took up their residence during their sojourn in London at Claridge's Hotel, and passed the time in an active inspection of the principal objects of interest, commencing daily at six o'clock in the morning. Westminster Palace and the Houses of Parliament, Windsor Castle (to which they were conveyed from the station in a hired fly, in the absence of any royal carriages), the London Hospital, Oxford, and the manufacturing cities of the north, in turns occupied their attention. They left England in August, to be generally remembered by all who met them for the enlightenment and liberality of their views, and the kindly courtesy of their manners.

30. REVIEW AT BUSHEY PARK.-Her Majesty held a grand review of her troops, represented by the Household Cavalry and six battalions of the Guards, besides two batteries of Horse Artillery and the 10th Hussars, amounting altogether to a force of some 4500 Infantry, 1200 horse, and 12 guns; facing the paddocks-infantry in line, artillery and cavalry in rear. Major-General Prince Edward of Saxe-Weimar commanded as of right; the Royal Artillery were under Colonel Tupper, Colonel Dudley de Ros commanded the Household Cavalry Brigade, and the Guards might be considered as forming three small brigades of two battalions, each under its lieutenant-colonel. Just as the Queen reached the saluting point, the Prince Imperial of France was discerned riding quietly in the rear of the line of carriages, with a couple of gentlemen. With some difficulty he was persuaded to avail himself of the opportunity of riding into the

enclosure where the royal carriages were stationed, and somehow or another the crowd found out who he was, and the heartiest cheers of the day were given again and again. The march past was, if somewhat difficult, owing to the nature of the ground, very satisfactory. The cavalry and infantry marched past twice, and then proceeded to represent a combat, in which it was supposed that an enemy, represented by a line of spectators, in a line with the Queen, had obtained a temporary success, which had forced the division to retire by bridges over the small stream, and to concentrate in the rear of what is called the Warren Plantation. The Cavalry covered the retreat of the infantry, formed in line facing the Queen, the 10th Hussars masking a battery in the rear. When the enemy had developed their attack, the Household Cavalry retired by wings across the water by the bridges and fords, and when they had cleared the front of the 10th Hussars in this movement the artillery, unmasked by the latter regiment, fired a few rounds to restrain the enemy, limbered up, crossed the fords covered by the 10th, unlimbered again, fired a few rounds more, and then fell back in rear of the infantry, which by this time had formed in line of battle, the Grenadiers deploying their two battalions, of which the first was extended as skirmishers. The Coldstreams extended the first of their battalions, with their right touching the Grenadier skirmishers, the second battalion in support, the Scots Fusiliers being a third line in mass of regiment. The line of skirmishers at once opened fire, the Scots Fusiliers and 2nd battalion of Coldstreams re-crossed the bridge, the 3rd battalion of Grenadiers re-formed line, and then in one grand extended front a heavy fire was opened in volleys by companies on the line of spectators, the skirmishers being recalled and a serious front attack being directed upon the enemy, supported by the artillery on the flanks. The wind was so far favourable as to unmask the whole of the line by blowing off the smoke, and the effect of the splendid line bursting into incessant volleys of musketry for a continuous ten minutes was admirable. Then came the "cease firing," and, the enemy being supposed to have fallen back on the right flank, where the firing was heaviest, was attacked by the cavalry in three grand charges of regiment after regiment, the interest in which was sharpened by the apparition of a timid and helpless squadron of roedeer, which after many evolutions, in which, to their honour be it said, the cuirassiers did their best to avoid them, furnished one victim to the list of the killed, and agitated the royal party and all the spectators who witnessed its fate. After this charge there was little left to do, but horse and foot pursued their victory according to the rules, and at half-past seven o'clock a grand advance in review order terminated the proceedings of the day, after which the Queen left, after one of the most brilliant and successful days which even her Majesty has had to note in the displays of her household troops, fortunate in all its circumstances, save, perhaps, in the ground and some accidents caused in consequence.

JULY.

4. A SERIES OF SEVERE STORMS marked the commencement of this month. A heavy thunder-storm visited King's Lynn. The lightning struck the south-west turret of the south-west tower of the fine old Church of St. Margaret's, by which the turret was shattered from its base into fragments. Some of these were hurled in all directions, and were picked up at a distance of 100 yards, while a large mass of masonry fell to the ground beneath, breaking the tombstones and trees. In another ward of the town, remote from the church, the centre house of a row of buildings in Exton's Road, was also struck by the lightning, by which the chimneys were smashed, and the electric fluid, after passing through the top window of a back room, ran along an iron gutter, the spouting of which it entered, and exploded at its base, near the ground, knocking down one of the inmates in a room below. The storm was considered the heaviest that the neighbourhood had ever been visited with. On the 5th, a heavy thunderstorm passed over Cromer, Norfolk; the parish church was struck by lightning. The south-west pinnacle of the tower was cut in two. The clock was also struck and injured, but the rest of the church escaped unhurt.

5. VISIT OF THE IMPERIAL PRINCE AND PRINCESS OF GERMANY.The Prince and Princess Imperial of Germany landed at Gravesend. The guns of Tilbury Fort and those on board the Russian corvette fired salutes in their honour, and on landing they were loudly cheered by the large multitude assembled to greet them. They drove to the residence of the Prussian Ambassador, Count Bernstorff, in Carlton House Terrace, and were enthusiastically greeted by a large concourse of people.

8. A FAREWELL BANQUET was given at the Crystal Palace, to the actors of the Comédie Française. Lord Dufferin took the chair as President, the vice-presidents being Lords Granville, Stanhope, Powerscourt, Lytton, Houghton, and Mr. Disraeli, Mr. Tennyson, and Mr. Macready. The tropical portion of the Palace was judiciously selected as the best place in which to give the déjeuner, a crimson curtain, relieved by white hangings, isolating it so effectually from the rest of the building that the speeches were heard without difficulty at the farthest tables. The French of Lord Granville bore comparison, for purity of accent, with that of M. Got himself, while the grace and humour of his speech were things to be remembered.

10. ROYAL REVIEW AT ALDERSHOT.-Unwonted preparations had been made this year in honour of the Prince Imperial of Germany. It had been intended that two hostile forces should take the field, but unfortunately the programme was spoiled by unusually heavy rain, which took complete possession of the field. The royal party

mustered in force, accompanied by his Imperial Highness, who was the principal object of attraction through the day, conspicuous among the English cocked-hats, in his helmet with black and white plumes and his Prussian cuirassier's white tunic, set off by the broad blue riband of the Order of the Garter. The Prince's frank, intelligent face, and bold, soldierlike bearing attracted general admiration. He seemed to take a most business-like interest in all that went on, carefully scrutinizing each regiment as it marched past, with the help of a programme he held in his hand. His Staff consisted of Count Seckendorff, Major von Roerdantz, Major von Mischke, Colonel du Plat (placed at his disposal during his stay in this country), and Captain H. Hozier (on special service for the Camp). The entire force was commanded in person by Sir Hope Grant.

10. CAMP AT WIMBLEDON.-The shooting season of 1871 opened this day. Lord Ducie, as Chairman and representative of the Council upon the spot, was assisted by Colonel Fletcher and Captain Page, and together they constituted the executive committee, who were charged with dealing with all questions as they rose. Lord Hinchinbroke, of the Coldstream Guards, commanded the regular troops in camp, and Colonel Colville, as Camp Commandant, was succeeded by Colonel Phillips, of the Grenadier Guards.

The shooting opened with admirable prospects. The sky was bright, there was wind sufficient to be agreeable to the spectators without inconvenience to the marksmen. Most of the ranges were well occupied, and by lunch time matters were working as smoothly and steadily as if the competition had already been proceeding for several days. Mr. Steward's meteorological observations taken, according to daily custom, at three o'clock, recorded the "rainfall during the past twenty-four hours" as nil. After that time, however, indications were not wanting that very different tidings might be looked for in the next record, and although rain did not actually fall till some hours later, the weather-wise in camp were gloomy, and trench-digging became the occupation of those with leisure on their hands.

The Volunteers engaged in what, during the working hours at least, is regarded as the more serious business of prize-shooting, had in all seven competitions open to them, of which three were decided in the course of the day. The winner of the Prince of Wales' Prize of 1007. was Private Harris, 2nd Oxford. The fine weather unhappily lasted only during the day of Monday; at night the clouds which had been gathering for some time, produced a steady downfall of rain, which lasted with hardly any intermission till mid-day. The night was miserable, for there was nothing to be done but to go to bed, and listen to the pattering of the rain on the canvas outside; and the following morning was, if possible, more cheerless still, as it exposed to view the sheets of water collected on every side.

On the 12th the Imperial Crown Prince of Germany arrived, and made a tour round the Camp.

On the 13th, the 500 yards shooting for the Queen's Prize commenced at gunfire, and lasted three days. The silver medals with 607. in money was won by Private Mayfield, 1st Notts.

On Saturday, the 13th, there was an exciting competition. The International Enfield match between the three nationalities of the British Empire, in which the Scotch proved triumphant, being 15 points ahead on the whole score.

An Englishman, Corporal Cooper, of the 30th West Yorkshire, was the winner of the Challenge Cup.

On Sunday, the 16th, Service was performed as usual in the circular marquée.

On Monday the Camp was enlivened by the visits of Prince Arthur and Prince Oscar of Sweden, who made notes of any thing that especially struck him, and carried away, as a memorable document, the bill of fare daily supplied at a fixed price in the first-class refreshment-room.

On Tuesday, the 18th, was the competition for the second stage of the Queen's Prize. The winner, Ensign Humphry, was an undergraduate of Cambridge, apparently not more than nineteen years of age. When the result of his final shot was signalled, he gave himself up, with the utmost good-humour, to be carried from the field by his admiring fellows.

The Public Schools Match was another great centre of attraction during the day. Eight Public Schools competed, as in 1870, but the shooting in this competition likewise had greatly improved. The Ashburton Shield fell to Harrow in the former year, with a score of 268. On the present occasion the representatives of Harrow made 292 points, but only obtained the second place. Winchester sprang up to the head of the list, and was warmly congratulated on all hands upon the gallant victory which it won.

Thursday, the 20th, the leading event of the Wimbledon fortnight, the International match for the Elcho Shield, took place and resulted in victory for the English, Mr. Wyatt, of Salop, carrying off the prize. The captains of the respective eights, Mr. Wells for England, the Duke of Abercorn for Ireland, and Captain H. Ross for Scotland, were present during the whole day marshalling and encouraging their national forces. The English Eight obtained a lead, though a small one, at the 800 yards range, increased this materially at 900 yards, and still further at the last, or 1000 yards range, till at the close they led the Irish by 24 and the Scotch by 54 points. At 800 yards the Irish had an advantage over the Scotch of 21 points; at the 900 yards range both nationalities scored exactly the same, and it was supposed that at the 1000 yards distance the Scotch would justify their old predilection for long-range shooting, and recover some, at any rate, of the lost ground. This expectation, however, was disappointed, for the Irish, who were, contrary to all previous experience, the last to finish their stipulated number of rounds, steadily poured in bull's-eyes and centres to the last, two of their number making the highest score attained in any of the teams.

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