there is a pedestal surmounted by an angel, bearing the royal arms. The legs of the chair rest upon four lions couchant, and the whole regal structure is so ornamented with carvings, gold, jewelry, and richly-embroidered velvet, as to present an appearance of great magnificence. A carved footstool is before the throne, covered with crimson velvet gorgeously embroidered in gold. Behind the throne there is a passage for the royal attendants, it not being etiquette to pass before the throne while her majesty is seated. The chairs upon each side for the Prince of Wales and Prince Albert are similar in form and general details, but less gorgeous in their embellishments.

Victoria has several royal palaces at her disposal. Buckingham House is her town residence. This is a very costly pile of buildings, some three millions of dollars having been expended in its construction. It is also furnished in the highest style of splendor which modern art can furnish. Windsor Castle, upon the Thames, is her world-renowned country seat. She has also St. James's Palace, and the royal pavilion at Brighton. These palaces are furnished and kept in repair at the public expense. Her majesty's privy purse amounts to about three hundred and fifty thousand dollars a year. Prince Albert has also an additional grant of about two hundred thousand dollars per annum. A very liberal sum is also appropriated to each child as born. These sums, however, constitute but a small part of the expenses of the royal family, as the salaries of many of the important officers of the household are paid by the government, and the expenses of the royal household are so interwoven with the general expenditures of the government, that it is exceedingly difficult, if not impossible, to

decide what Victoria's income may be. The whole expense of the royal family is generally estimated at about four millions of dollars. The time will inevitably soon come when the people of England will inquire if the splendors of royalty are worth so great a price. A queen is a very expensive ornament. But nations, like individuals, may prize such glittering gems so highly as to be willing to sacrifice for them many solid comforts. The salary of the President of the United States is twenty-five thousand dollars. Should we rear for him palaces of more than Oriental magnificence, and lavish upon his sons and daughters boundless wealth, and surround him with nobles luxuriating in splendor, it could not in the least contribute to the thrift of the inhabitants of the United States. Our cheap government must be exciting an ever-increasing influence over the world. And the time will probably eventually come when royalty will be divested of its costliness, as it has already been divested of much of its power. As intelligence increases, there is less disposition to be overawed by pomp and pageantry. There is now not a throne in Europe which stands on a firm foundation. The government of England is, however, without any question, the best government in the Old World, and the most strongly intrenched in the affections of the community.

The Queen of England reigns, she does not rue. She sits upon the throne, but she manifests no desire to sway the scepter. Few of the cares of government rest upon her. The veteran statesmen who are clustered around her guide the affairs of the nation in her name. She has but little to do personally, except to attend to the etiquette of the court, to present herself as the conspicuous pageant on

a gala day, and to attach her signature to those acts of Parliament which are supported by those friends to whom the affairs of government are intrusted. The romance of the coronation day and of the bridal scenes have long ago passed away. The lovely maiden queen, whose youthful form, and blooming beauty, and timid grace arrested all eyes and won all hearts, is now an affectionate wife, an amiable woman, a care-worn mother. With matronly dignity she cherishes the children who are clustered around her. With exemplary fidelity she discharges her duties as queen, as wife, as mother. She is highly esteemed and beloved by her subjects, and is worthy of the respectful affection she universally receives, for seldom has any throne been occupied by one more conscientious and meritorious in character than Queen Victoria. The accident of birth has placed her where she is. She is exposed to the strongest temptation which can be presented to become an idolator of the world. Every thing which earth can furnish of pomp and pageantry is arrayed to dazzle her eye. It is certainly greatly to her credit, that, in the midst of such scenes, she could have maintained her integrity as she has done. There is much corruption in the government of Great Britain. There are many wrongs perpetrated by that government upon the people. But Victoria did not originate those wrongs, and she can have but little influence in removing them. Great as is the need of reform in the social condition of England, the queen has but little power either to hasten or retard those changes which time is surely promoting. The government of England is probably as well administered in her name as it would be in the name of any other person who might accidentally sit

upon the throne.

And we would, therefore, join in the

prayer of all good Englishmen, and say, "God save the queen."

THE END.