Majesty in 1852, when it was rebuilt and its grounds laid out under the direction of the Prince.

As a compliment to her Irish subjects Her Majesty created the Prince of Wales, Earl of Dublin, in the following month; and when May 3, 1850, her third son was born, the name Patrick was given him in addition to those of Arthur William Albert. The Prince's first name was selected by the Queen not only because he was born on the birthday (eighty-first) of the Duke of Wellington, but also because his Grace had a little while previously proposed that at his death the office of Commander-in-Chief of the army should be filled by Prince Albert. The latter never gave greater proof of his admirable sense than when he declined to entertain the suggestion; for he knew that his knowledge of military matters was insufficient, that such an appointment would heighten the prejudice against him always lurking in the popular mind and ever waiting to find expression; and above all that his health never robust, and taxed as it was by his incessant efforts to spare Her Majesty the fatigue attending the business of State, would not admit of further strain. The Queen felt gratified by the high opinion of the Prince which the Duke's proposition implied, and repaid him by selecting him as one of the godfathers of her seventh child, and calling him by the gallant old soldier's name.

Within a month of the Prince's birth, May 27, 1850,

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an event happened which shocked the nation. Her Majesty was leaving Cambridge House, Piccadilly, where she had been calling on her uncle, a man named Robert Pate stepped forward and deliberately raising his cane struck her on the head. shape of her bonnet protected her stroke left a bruise on her forehead. immediately seized and was found to be a retired army officer who had already made himself conspicuous by his dress and by his manner in the park. It was evident that desire for notoriety was the motive of his brutal assault, for he would give no explanation of his action. The jury before which he was tried, declined to believe in the plea of insanity set up by his counsel, and he was sentenced to seven years' transportation. It may be mentioned here that a similar sentence had been passed on a man named William Hamilton of Adair who had fired a blank charge at her as she was returning to the Palace from a drive, May 19, 1849.

From the end of 1849 to the end of the following year, the death of several relatives and friends caused Her Majesty much regret. Among them was Queen Adelaide. Plain and homely, kind hearted and exemplary, she had never felt any gratification in being a Queen. After the death of William IV. she had lived in retirement, changing her residence continually in the hope of benefiting her failing health.

She had always treated her niece with maternal affection, had rejoiced in her happy marriage, and had delighted to entertain the royal children. Her death took place at Stanmore Priory, December 2, 1849, and she was laid beside her husband in St. George's Chapel, Windsor.

It was some six months later that the Sovereign lost her second Prime Minister, who on first coming into office she had heartily disliked, but whom she soon came to value and respect. On a warm summer afternoon, June 29, 1850, Sir Robert Peel went out for his customary ride, mounted on a young and recently purchased horse. At the time he was in high spirits owing to the fact that a clever speech he had made the previous evening in the House, had saved the Government to which he was opposed, but which he considered it best for the welfare of the country should remain in power. Starting from his residence at Whitehall Gardens, he rode to Buckingham Palace where he left his name for the Queen, and then cantered up Constitution Hill. There he met an acquaintance whom he saluted, but as he did so, he who had always been a bad and awkward rider, lost control of his horse, which suddenly swerved and flung him heavily to the ground. Immediately a score of willing hands were ready to raise him as he lay unconscious and badly hurt. Almost immediately he recovered his senses and accepted the offer of a passing