int Court.
THE progress of the Queen to her Northern retreat was attended by the usual rejoicings which testify to the loyalty of the people. Her Majesty left Osborne at a quarter-past ten o'clock on Monday morning; accompanied by Prince Albert and the five elder of the Royal children. The Fairy carried the party to Portsmouth, and at Gosport they entered the train. For once, railway directors found it easy to be punctual, and the train reached Basingstoke at its appointed time. Here the Queen changed carriages, and was handed over to the Great Western ; passing by Reading to Swindon. There was luncheon at Swindon ; and the train started for Gloucester. At the various stations along the route, the people from the neighbouring towns swarmed out and cheered the passing train. When it reached Gloucester, it became necessary for the Queen to leave the broad for the narrow gauge, and in doing this, to cross the platform. Here were stationed the Bishop of Gloucester and Bristol and the Mayor of the city, each to present a loyal address. Gracious replies were made; and her Majesty entering the Midland train, was driven to Birmingham ; saluted at the intervening stations with hearty ovations from the people. Bromsgrove outshone its compeers. Here the train stopped to take in water, and to put on an additional engine. The buildings of the station were bidden by evergreens and flowers, cut from the grounds at Hewell, the seat of Colonel Clive, and flags floated at all points. The Queen was received by Colonel and Mrs. Clive, Sir John and Lady Pakington, and other Olives and Pakingtons ; by the county yeomanry, and a guard of honour. From Bromsgrove to Birmingham the train dashed on ; greeted at Kingsheath by a royal salute, and at Camphill by a gay show of flowers. At Bir- mingham, Mr. Spooner M.P., Mr. Newdegate M.P., Mr. Scholefield M.P., and other gentlemen, received the Queen. The Scots Greys were drawn up as a guard of honour. A loyal address was read, and answered; and on 'went the train.
Great were the preparations for the reception of the Queen at Derby. An immense crowd surrounded the station. On the platform were the Mayor, the Duke of Devonshire, the Earl of Burlington, Lord Cavendish, General Arbuthnot, and many others. Not only the guard of honour, drawn from the Seventy-seventh at Weedon, but various troops of yeo- manry, were in attendance, to escort the Queen to the Midland Hotel Here her Majesty reposed for the night.
From Derby through Normanton to York, and thence by Darlington to Newcastle, was the route. The same shouting at the stations ; only it is observed that in Yorkshire the 'cute natives did not shout on speculati3n- it was necessary for them to see the Queen before they cheered. At New- castle the Queen staid an hour, and took luncheon. Thence the train passed by Berwick, and reached Edinburgh about five o'clock. St. Margaret's station was covered with heather in full bloom, checked out with exotics. Mr. Sheriff Gordon and ,Major-General Napier escorted the Queen to Holyrood Palace. Her Majesty did not go beyond the garden that evening ; but Prince Albert and the children took a drive about "mine own romantic town."
From Holyrood the Queen set out at eight o'clock on Wednesday morn- ing, and proceeded by railway to Cupar Angus; where she was received by Mr. Sheriff Crawford, and cheered by a host of people. Carriages were here provided, and the Royal travellers were driven through the Highland roads, and through very bad weather, to Balmoral, by seven o'clock.
While the Queen was at Holyrood, the Duchess of Kent came over from Abergeldie to see her daughter.
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