The Express.
London, England, 1868-01-10 00:00:00

ME ROYAL VISIT TO LIVERPOOL.

The book by the Queen, announced for some time
Our
and entitled " Leaves from the Diary of
Our Life inthe Highlands," has just appeared. The
volume is edited byMr. Arthur Helps, to whom the
publication is mainly due, and is dedicated "to
the dear memory of him who made the life of the
writer bright and happy."
The Diary contains no references to politteel
questions, and is mainly confined to a natural and
picturesque chronicle of ,her Majesty's journeys in
England, Scotland, Ireland, and the Channel
Islands—a dist), of the life of the Queen shared
with the deceased Prince and his children. It I
opens at the date of her Majesty's first visit to
Scotland on the 29th August, 1842. Edinburgh
delighted the visitors :
The impression Edinburgh has made upon us is very
great • it as quite beautiful, totally unlike anything else I
have seen ; and what is even more, Albeit, who has seen
so much, says it is unlike anything he ever sew.
To the description of the visit to Taymouth there
is a foot note which reminds the reader of the sad
contrast between the past and the present :
I revisited Taymouth last autumn, on the 3rd of Octo-
ber, from Dunkeld (incognita), with Louise, the Dowager
Duchess of Athole and Miss MacGregor. As we could
not have driven through the grounds without asking per-
mission, and we did not wish to be known, we decided
upon not attempting to do so, and contented ourselves
with getting out at a gate close to a small fort, into which
we were led by a woman from the gardener's house, near
to which we had stopped, and who had no idea who we
were.
We got out, and looked from this height down upon the
house below, the mist having cleared away sufficiently to
show us everything ; and then, unknown, quite in private,
I gazed—not without deep emotion—on the scene of our
reception twenty-four years ago,by dear Lord Breadalbane,
in a princely style, not to be equalled in grandeur and
poetic effect.
Albert and I were then only twenty-three, young and
happy. How many are gone that were with us then !
I was very thankful to have seen it again.
It seemed unaltered--1866.
In the autumn of 1844 the Queen and Prince
Consort paid a visit to Blair Athol, and the tour
was rich in demonstrations of Scottish loyalty and
enthusiasm. Allusioas to the Prince occur in
every paragraph. " Albert in such delight—it is
a happiness to see him ; he is in such spirits."
Oh ! what can equal the beauties of nature ? What en-
joyment there is in them ! Albert enjoys it so much ; be
as in ecstasies here. He has inherited this love for nature
from his dear father.
Coming home again, the Queen writes :
The English coast appmrod terribly flat. Lord Aber-
deen was quite touched when I told him I was so much
attached to the dear, dear highlands, and I missed the fine
hills so much. There is a great peculiarity about the
highlands and the highlanders, and they are such a chi-
estrous, fine, active people. Our stay among them was so
delightful. Independently of the beautiful scenery there
were a quiet, a retirement, a wildness, a liberty, and a
solitude that had such a chum for us.
In 1847 we have notes of another trip to the
west coast of Scotland, in the course of which her
Majesty put into Dartmouth and visited the Scilly
Islands. All sorts of pleasant excursions are re-
corded. "Albert" picks up a little Gaelic, and
superintends the building of a " bothie,' or rows
his household on dark Loch Muich ; they fish,
sketch, scramble, and ramble, and at night kill an
hour or two in the plainest way—" at whist, with
Caroline Dawson and Dummy," or reading Scott,
or playing music. One morning, the journal notes,
" I heard the children repeat their poetry," and
that night Lady Douro took Dummy ; while the
whist-party laughed over " old John Gordon's"
description of the road of the day's ride, which was
" something steep and something rough, and that
was its only best."
An excursion to Loch Muich introduces the
name of John Brown, a well-known attendant of
her Majesty :
The same who, in 1838, became my regular attendant
out of doors everywhere in the Highlands ; who com-
menced as Billie in 1849, and was selected by Albert and
me to go with my carrisge. In 1851 he entered our ser-
vice permanently, and began in that year leading my
pony, and advanced step by step by his good conduct and
intelligence. Ilia attention, care, and faithfulness cannot
be exceeded • and the state of my health, which of late
years has been sorely tried and weikened, renders such
qualifications most valuable, and, indeed, most needful in
a constant attendant upon all occasions. He has since,
most deservedly, been promoted to be en upper servant,
and my permanent personal attendant. (December, 1865.5
He has all the independence and elevated feelings pecu-
liar to the Highland race, and is singularly striughtfor-
eimple-minded, kind-hearted, and disinterested ;
always ready to oblige : and of a discretion rarely to be
met with. lie is now in has fortieth year. His father
was a small fanner, who lived at the Bush on the oppo-
site to Balmoral. He is the second of nine brothers—
three of whom hare died—two are in Australia and New
Zealand, two are living in the neighbourhood of Balmoral,
sad the youngest, Archie (Archibald), is valet to our son
Leopold, and is an excellent, trustworthy young man.
The next Scottish period extends, at intervals,
from 1848 to 1861, beginning with September in
the former year. at Balmoral, then inhabited by
the Royal Family for the first time.
In September, 1832, the news came of the Duke
of Wellington's death, and an hour afterwards the
Queen was writing in her diary :
I bad just sat down to sketch, when Mackenzie returned,
saying my watch was safe at home (it had been missed in
the woods), and bringing letter; ; amongst them was one
from Lord Derby, which I tore open, and, alas! it contained
the confirmation of the fatal new, that England's, or,
rather, Britain's pride, her glory, her hero, the greatest
man she ever had produced, was no more ! Sad day ! Great
and irreparable national loss !
Lord Derby enclosed a few linen from Lord Charles Wel-
lesley, saying that his dear, great father bad died on
Tuesday, at three o'clock, after a few hours'illness, and no
suffering. God', will be clone ! The day must have conic ;
the duke was fr.i. It is well for him that he has been taken
when still in possession of hie great mind—and without a
long illness. But what a less 1 One cannot think of this
country without "The Duke”--our immortalhero.
In him centred almost every earthly honour a subject
could possess. His position was the highest a subject ever
bad—above party, looked up to by all, revered by the whole
nation, the friend of the Sovereign. And hoer simply be
carried these honours ! With what singleness of purpose,
what straightforwardnem,whatoonrage were &lithe motives
of his actions guided ! The crown never poesessed—and I
fear never trill—so devoted, loyal, and faithful a subject, so
stanch a supporter. To us (who, alas ! have lost so many
of our valued and experienced friends) his loin is invent
able, for bin readiness to aid and ad nee, if it could be of
use to us, and to overcome say and every difficulty, was
unequalled. To Albert lie showed the greatest kindneesl
and the utmost confidence. His experienee end hie know-
ledge of the past were se great, too ; he was a link which
connected us with bygone times, with the last century.
Not an eye will be dry in the whole country.
We hastened down on foot to the head of Loch Minch,
and then rode home, in • heavy shower to Alt-na-Guit-
hunch. Our whole enjoyment was spoilt ; a gloom over-
limn all et as.
In 1855, when the royal fermi), were living in
Ithe new structure at Balmoral, a telegram came
from Lord Clarendon announcing that Sebastopol
was in the bands of the allies :—" God be praised
for it. Our delight was great ; but we could
hardly believe the good news, and from having so
long, so anxiously expected it, one could not
realise the actual fact."
The royal children are alluded to in affectionate
family phrase. In the early pert of the Diary the
Princess Royal is " Vichy," and the name by which
the Prince of Wales is always called in his family
is " Bertie." In 1855 the betrothal of the Princess
Royal took place :
Our deer Vieteeil ems this day engaged to Primo
Frederick William at Pmmia, who had been en a visit to
us since tbe 141 h. Be bad elsmAy spoken to es as lb*

Last night the Mayor of Liverpool (Mr. Edward
Whitley) gave a magnificteat ball in hooour of the visit of
prince Arthur, the Priam and Princess Christian, and the
Princess Henrietta of Schnswig-Holstein. On this °ces-
sion the Exchange News-room, Wolf one of the noblest
halls in the kingdom, was united to the Town-hall, and
the resources of both buildings being brought into play,
there was the most ample and luxurious accommodation
for the guests, who numbered about 3,000, and comprised,
in addition to the royal vision and the Knowsley party,
the leading families of the town and neighbourhood. The
state-rooms of the Town-hall ate large, and handsomely
equipped even on ordinary occasions, and last night the
only additions found necessary were evergreens and vases,
and some additional statuary, which were placed in the
moat advantageous position', under the careful and tasteful
management of Mr. Holden and Mr. Abbott (the up-
holsterers engaged by the mayor's committee), and Mr.
Gilbert W. Yoe, one of the ball stewards. The three
drawing-roams of the Town-hall were used as reception
rooms ; the large and small ball-rooms as draw:ig-rooms
for the general company, and the small dining-room as a
supper-room for the royal party. From the Queen's bal-
ceny, at the back of the Town-hall, a communication bad
been established by • temporary wooden corridor or
bridge with the Exchange News-room. This cor-
ridor, like the passages of the Town-hall, was
elegantly draped with fluted tarlatan, green and
white, bordered with flowers, adorned with mirrors, and
brilliantly lighted by rows of lamps suspended from the
centre of the roof. The floors of the rooms and corridors
were carpeted with crimson cloth. By the corridor
opening from the Queen's balcony the visitors, as they
arrived, proceeded to the news-room, which had been
prepared for dancing. The effect here was magnificent.
The room and dome were flooded with light, which was
reflected from the varied and polished marbles which have
been so extensively employed on the walla,and the elaborate
architectural interior was brought out with photographic
minuteness. At the south side of the hall • dais, sur-
mounted by a lofty clumpy of purple and gold, had been
placed, with chairs of state in crimson satin and gold, for
the accommodation of the royal (visitors and the
ladies in waiting, and when thus seated they
could see and be seen to the greatest advantage. At the
aide of this dais were marble busts of the Queen and the
late Prince Consort, admirably relieved by red velvet
drapery at the back. One of the galleries, ordinarily used
as a reading room, bad been fitted up specially for the
royal visitors as a drawing room, from which they could
overlook, when not disposed to dance, the gay throng
below. The drawing room was carpeted and furnished
with exquisite taste, some splendid vases and articles of
vertu having been collected from the rooms of Mews.
Ellington, Mayer, Litherland, &c., and tastefully disposed
by the committee. Beneath the wen gallery was a re-
freshment buffet, sad there were supper rooms both under
the ball room and at the Town-hall. The royal party
arrived from Knowsley shortly after ten, and were con-
ducted at once by the mayor through the corridor to the
bell room, where the guests had all assembled, it being
arranged that dancing should not commence until the ar-
rival of the Prince ,and Princesses. The whole proceed-
ings were highly gratifying and successful.

agualismoma.
She speaks with not lass enjoyment of another
Scotch minister, whose sermon she commanded to
be published
Oct. 14,1855.
To kirk at 12 o'clock. The Rev. J. Card, one of the
most oelabrated hers in Scotland, performed tbe ser.
vies, and eleotiifled all present by a most admirable and
beautiful sermon, which lasted nearly an hour, but which
kept one's attention riveted. The text was from the
12th chapter of Romans, and the 11th verse—" Not
slothful in business ; fervent in spirit ; serving the Lord."
He explained, in the most simple and beautiful manner,
what real religion is ; how it ought to pervade every
action of our lives • not a thing only for Sundaya,or for
our closet; not • thing to drive us from the world; not
" pensive moping over good books," bet ." being and
doing good, " letting as hang ba done in a Christian
spirit." It was as fine as Yr.
Bl'Lood. 's sermon last year,
and sent 11l home much edified.
With the Highlanders the Queen was delighted.
" All the Highlanders are so amusing, and really
pleasant and instructive to talk to—women as well
as men—and the latter so gentle-manlike." In
another passage she observes :—" We were always
in the habit o conversing with the Highlanders,
with whom one comes so much in contact in the
Highlands. The Prince highly appreciated the
good breeding, simplicity, and intelligence which
make it so pleasant and even instructive to talk to
them."
Glimpses are caught of her Majesty's visits to
the poor. One old woman of 88, to whom she
gave a warm petticoat, shook the Queen's hands,
and prayed God to bless her. Another old
dame of 86, who received a similar present,
said, " May the Lord ever attend ye and yours,
here and hereafter : and may the Lord be a guide
to ye, and keep yo from all harm." Another poor
creature, " past fourscore " admonished her royal
visitors with pious solemnity ; and another,
hearing that the Princess Royal was about to
be married abruptly remarked, " I'm very
sorry, and think she is sorry horse ." but
immediately I
went on, "I am very sorry I said that,
but I meant no harm • I always say just what I
think—not what is fut'(fit). "
In an expedition to Glen Fishie the royal pair
travelled as 1..0rd and Lady Churchill and friends,
Lady Churchill passing as Miss Spencer, and
General Grey as a doctor, an affair culminating in
dinners of hodge-podgo, mutton-broth, and cran-
berry tarts—and in a meeting with a suspicious
landlady who said, "the lady must be terrible
rich, with so many gold rings on her fingers."
Royalty had to be carried across a river in a carpet,
to dress in the small room of a Highland cabin,
with a peasant's press-bed in it, and to dine in the
commercial room and sleep at the Ramsay Arms,
unknown of all except the host, being mistaken
by the commonalty for " a wedding party from
Aberdeen."
At one page the Queen repeats that the attend-
ant Grant told her in May, 1862, that when they
were returning the Prince Consort, while giving
directions as to the planting of Glen Mulch, which
he intended as a deer forest for the Prince of
Wales, said to Grant, alluding to the finishing of
the planting, " You and I may be dead and gone
before that." The Queen adds, "In less than
three months, alas! his words were verified as re-
gards himself. He was ever cheerful, but ever
ready and prepared."
The third part of the book gives an account of
the first visit to Ireland in August, 1849 ; a yacht-
ing excursion in August, 1846 ; a second yachting
excursion in September, 1846 ; and the visit to the
Lakes of Killarney in August, 1861. " Cork,"
writes the Queen, is not at all like an English
town, and looks rather foreign. The crowd is a
noisy, excitable, but very good-humoured one—
running and pushing about, and laughing, talk-
ing, and shrieking. The beauty of the
women is very remarkable, and struck us
much; such beautiful dark eyes and hair, and such
fine teeth ; almost every third woman was pretty,
and some remarkably so. They wear no bonnets,
and generally long blue cloaks. The men are very
poorly, often raggedly, dressed ; and many wear
blue coats and abort breeches, with blue stockings."
The visit to Dublin is written of at some length.
The reception
Was a wonderful and striking scene, such masses of
human beings, so enthusiastic, so excited, yet such perfect
order maintained ; then the number of troops, the different
bands stationed at certain distances, the waving of bats
and handkerchiefs, the bursts of welcome which rent the
air, all made it a never-to-be-forgotten scene, when one
reflected how lately the country had been in open revolt,
and under martial law.
Noticing a 'visit to the model school in Dublin
we find the following :
Children of all creeds are admitted, and their different
doctrines are taught separately,pf the parents wish it;
but the only teaching enforced Is that of the Gospel truths
and love and charity. This is true Christian, and ought
to he the case everywhere.
Of the Irish climate her Majesty says :—" The
day was grey and excessively muggy, which is
the character of the Irish climate." Still her
relish wr,a inexpressible of the scenery about In-
nisfallen Island, " the splendid bill of the Eagles
Nest," and wherever the Irish waters flow or the
Irish mountains rise. On Muckross " I christened
one of the points which runs into the lake with a
bottle of wine, Albert holding my arm when we
came close by, so that it was most successfully
smashed." All the Queen's recollections of Ire-
land are grateful—all her associations with it held
in kindly remembrance—excepting those con-
nected with the weather.
There is very little in the volume concerning
England. In 1846 her yacht was anchored for an
hour in Babbioombe Bay on the Devonshire °oath
" It is a beautiful spot, which before we had only
passed at a distance. Red cliffs and rocks, with
wooded hills like Italy, and reminding one of a
ballet or play, where nymphs are to appear—such
rucks and grottoes, with the deepest sea, on
which there was not • ripple." And then " that
beautiful Dartmouth, lovely with its wooded
rocks, and church, and castle at the entrance.
It puts me much in mind of the beautiful
Rhine and its noble ruined strongholds and
the Lurlei." So at Mount Edgecimbe, over
" the splendid harbour of Plymouth," " with its
beautiful trees, includirufines, growing down
too
into the water, and more lovely than
ever." But her Majesty I leisure is inter-
rupted, because she has here to "read innumerable
letters and despatches," and go on deck " to see
the authorities," after which, steaming up the
Tamar and St. German's river, she glances for the
first time at Trematon Castle, " which belongs to
Be as Duke of Cornwall" At Plymouth, a
rt*
few syllables of kindly sentiment are set down :
the Prince was necessarily absent at the time of
her Majesty's disembarkation, and she writes.
" there wore crowds where we frined, and 1 feel so
shy and put out without Albert."
The last ahapters of the book describe the visit
to the Lakes of Killarney in 1861.
The sketches with the pencil which are given,
include one taken in the Scully Islands, and another
of a Welsh girl at Wilford Haven, " • very pretty
dairy maid.,"

• His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge has
been staying this week with the Duke of Rutland at Bel-
voir Castle, Leicestershire. A. acted party has been in-
vited to meet his royal highness. Prince Tcck has been
staying with Lord Londesborough at Grimaton, York-
shire.

UNITED DISCOUNTHIS CORDAYPORATION (LIMITED).
(T.)

- -
The half-yearly meeting of the proprietors was
held at noon at the London Tavern, Captain DlA;soLes in
the chair.
The following report and balance-sheet were presented :
" In presenting the accompanying report to the share-
holders, the directors have the sativfaction of stating that
the transactions of the company for the last six months
have resulted in a gross profit (including an amount carried
forward at last general meeting) of 17,37 7t. Os. 411., which
they propose to apply as follows :-4,322/. 10a. sd. in
payment of all charges including 1,000/. written off bad
debt account ; 5,310/. 19s. rebate of bills not yet due ;
4,475/. Os. 10d. in payment of a dividend at the rate of 6
per cent. per annum, equal to 3s. 7.1. per shire ; 3,2867.
10e. Id. carried forward to new account. The past half-
year has been one of unusual depression and limited busi-
ness, the directors, therefore, feel confident that the share-
holders will be satisfied with the statement they have now
the pleasure of laying before them.
"italanoe-sheet,3lst December, 1&;7.-Dr.: To capital
account-22,5645 shares, on which Cl. per share have been
credited and called 135,387 i. ; less arrears I,WBI. 10e. ;
leaving 134,108/. 10s. ;to loans, deposita, 1,953,603/.
10e. 6d. ; to profit and loss account-amount at audit as
per annexed statement, 14,034/. 9ii.11d.; total, 2,101,7661.
10e. sd. Cr.: By cash at various bankers, 54,205/. Is. Bd. ;
by bills discounted, ho., 2,W7,5751. Os. 9d.; by premises,
furniture, &c., in Aboburch-lane, 8,79 W. 12s. lid. ; by
' preliminary expenses, 1,186/. Its. Id. ; total, 2,101,7661.
10s. sd.
" Profit and loss account.-Dr.: To current expense'.
including salaries, rent. taxes, directors' fees, and all
other charges, 3,322/. 10a. roe; to reserve for bed and
doubtful debts, 1,000/. ; to rebate of interest on bills dis-
counted not yet due, carried forward to new account,
5,310/. 19s. ; to dividend of 3s. 71 per share on
22.5644 shares taken up. being at the rate of 6
I per cent. per annum, 4,0421. 16s. Id. ; to ditto, reserved
on 2,4124 shares not taken up, 4321. 41. od, ; to balance
carried forward to profit and loss new account, 3,2681.
10s. Id. ; making 140341. 9s. 11d. ; total, 17,377/.os. 4d.
By balance brought forward from 30th June, 1867, 1,7711.
is. id. ; by gross profits for the half-year, 15,6051.165. ;
total, 17,377/. Oa. 4d."
The CRAritmAst, in moving the adoption of the report
and accounts, observed that the association was proceed-
ing satisfactorily, and there were no losses or liabilities
beyond such as a discount company always must have. He
hoped the day was not far distant when the
unissued shares would be in demand. There was
an increase of more than half a million in the
deposits sines the last fnieeting-a fact which
showed the increasing confidence of the public.
The total amount of the bills held over was only 1,6351.,
and the committee of management were satisfied that a
thousand pounds would more than cover the loss. The
bills had not on the average more than 74 days to run.
There was now carried forward 3,36 W. , againat 1,700/. carried
forward in June. The board did not seethe slightest prospect
of their being compelled to make a call The company
were greatly indebted to the committee of management,
Mr. James Brace and Mr. H. S. Coulson, fog the care with
which they had avoided losses.
After a short discussion the report was adopted, and a
dividend of 3s. 7d. per share was declared payable on dm
Instant.

IL Berryer, the father of the French bar, has
Ist masted his 79th roc.

At the first Court ball at Brume* which took
place two evenings ago, the Ring and the Queen arrived
about a quarter past nine, with the Count and Countess de
Pliusire. Her Majesty was dressed in blue beneath white
EIPIHRONIZATION OF THZ BISHOP OP LiCHFIELD.
tulle, sprinkled with gold stars ; her head-dress consisting
—Yesterday
inth".° itighttußMl:koru ge,,Aura., 7t11,644:, w"..4, Will,
.of a wreath of mycootis and diamonds. The Countess de
en."....... ...
....
es-- a-arc- a' '''eu''''s" ......
.... ' Emir. were • white dress ornamented with roses, sad a
usual forms. There was • large congregation. diadem of brilliants. It was remarked that the number of
MR. HUGHES, M.P. AND THE HALTIAX CO- I ladies present wu small as compared with the men. The
31"z".p.,T1X,, tfilbZ—Yesterday to Haw' iiir: Hughes, : latter included the greater part of the ministers and the
; memlbers of the diplomatic corps. Supper took place at
the extensive premises of the Halifax Co-egetarivo
in North/at& He was awrompanied ti SI& St= . midnight, and the hall terminated at half-past one.
hi.B., lad the Presides. mid wilel_,_ ._...,___01 "1 1•444;,..,_ I An alarming accident occurred three evenings
took them threesib all depertnewhe ot Ns ••••'•g• '''' ' back at the Theatre do la Monnsie, in Brussels. During
eseapied nearly an boar sod • ball. The stares •
bon araciaa as a smis a VAN, pawl& the ballet of the fourth act of Bowie 0 a Juliette, hfdlle.
MiesLommod for canying co the pesory_ oltspery„e- . Jasquetti, • &amuse, approached too near the footlights,
oherini. emu sad Iwnehewn._ . funseleghshs ice. 1 when her gauss skirts took firs. X. Jamet, who was
usaiting, ha-. busimilleer gm them en HsuisaZ. se".. ' playing Friar Lumina,. rushed forward to stifle the
and make maw, mow gm erten-
site sonic 24/D Asa en do b Irma. fames in lila keg robe, but the lady had airudy, with
10,000 i., and dime are If blush establibusels Is Mo. great pressen, of mind. lased the burning dress in her
rent parts of the Uwe mil dirmist. A beg, sults! is se lands, and bad, hYuluilagins it, extinguished the flames.
le week the NNW! enemaalls berlitessi yet th• lUDs Jaequetti 'tired for • few moments to reamer
Vibes a glullh• flau °lt 11/*** lie. "b" ex. ' from her eziotion, and then returned to finish her per.
premed ideinifsoste4wed with tie digas Cl prospisity and
sheer el tile I formation
• Fates tar Lrrstimoon.—A serious ease M. Michel Chevalier opened on Tuesday his
el AMA* ibilh" the Livergeel stiPtadihr7 wires el lestume ea political mammy at the College de
day. It flea ea the Slat Slims, • moss Fri,„.
between • melanoma enesisamenazge=s,d Butler-
and several dtkernies.is yaccha4,,,d. g 1 Galigneni bas tie following telegrams from Bee-
=Nos =am mmememiaamillerleimer 41•1, idll lit:—" Count de Iliemerek, at stunting banquet atikaby,
Id:
a sea aimed resenv....___end ham made a speech to a large emeimaey Cl aelablasi He
IFSHIAIIII.4 " "Plaliaiditaltb. '"'" ' 11'. Ng Bud els spectre of a war with hare VW •IPZVII
taw. It riam Itlegag IS Cl lbw YON lbe
mush bums White in vell‘driasen • wt. per, and be limited all present to bus no easterly
Ind boa pretissill memseaded. vas sepia dam. •en this snidest" _ .