and Unicorns, richly done; the door itself is of polished brass, full of rich tracery of figures; the view hence of the room is superb. Its ceiling is some eighty feet high, covered with gold ornaments, and richly emblazoned pendants; long, florid Gothic windows stretch down the sides to the tiers of red morocco seats on each side. At the lower extremity, about sixty feet off, is the throne, under a rich Gothic Canopy of Crown and Dome; a mass of gilding and ornaments standing upon a Dais of four steps, which are covered with a crimson carpet, bearing the Royal Arms. Before this is the Woolsack-an immense oblong red ottoman; on this lay the gold Mace and Purse, and before this is a long oak table, at whose end sat Lord Cottenham, in his robes as Lord Chancellor ; on his right was the Clerk of the House, on his left, upon the front bench, behind a small writing-table, sat Lord Campbell and Lord Brougham, the only Lords present. Beyond, at the bar, and facing the throne and the Lord Chancellor, were the three counsel engaged in the argument of a cause of the Great Western Railway, on appeal from Queen's bench. I sent my card in to Brougham, and was immediately shown through a fine side lobby, on the right to the Robing Room of the Peers, which is superbly finished in the same style as the House; it is just immediately behind the throne. In a few moments the Chancellor stept out, passing me, his pages bearing his train, and Brougham came in. He was affable in his manners, spoke much and with great interest

of our New York constitutional convention; regretted that he had not received any documents yet; made numerous inquiries as to our judiciary reforms; wished me to attend the debates at 5, P. M., of his House, and would introduce me on the floor without any order, and also to attend a meeting of the Law Amendment Association, at 21 Regent Street, on the 5th instant, at 3, P. M., where he presides; and then introduced me on the floor of the House, and gave me a seat on the throne steps. He was dressed in plain drab-carelessly his hair is white, though yet full; face is like the pictures. The Chancellor soon returned and he had to take his seat. I waited awhile; the counsel grew tedious, and I joined the ladies, and put them in a cab; went to the city. Received letter from S. N. D., (May 13th ;) spent some time with D.; at 4, P. M., mounted saddle horse, with Miss L., with groom, and had a splendid ride through Regent's and Hyde Parks, and a gallop over Kensington Green. It was a fine day, and a great crowd was out; evening at home.

JUNE 1ST.-Went down to the city, morning; bought writing case, etc.; wrote to S. N. D. S. and C.; evening with Herman, 40 George Street; engaged to meet him to converse in German and French; the rest of the evening spent in a pleasant visit at Mrs. A.'s, 37 Gordon Squares.

2D.-Went through the Tower and Tunnel, walking

across to Rotherithe; pleasant day; lunched at Mrs. A.'s. Evening met first at Mr. Herrman's, as agreed.

3D.--Started with Mr. B. and wife, and other ladies, by Paddington Rails to Slough, and then took Barouche, driving through Windsor Park, passing the Castle, Eton College, the Statue of Charles I., and Virginia Water, to Ascot Heath. Left our carriage and went upon the Grand Stand, really a four story hotel; below, was the lawn; on the left, was the Queen's Stand, and beyond it many other Stands. On the right is the New Mile Post, where stands the Starter; in front of the Queen's Stand, is the judge's box; the course is about two and a half miles around on a flat heath; but very few booths; the people were crowding around the track. On this Grand Stand were many of the Nobility. I recognized the Marchioness of Londonderry, and the Lady Vane, the Countess of Limerick, the Countess of Guernsey, and the Countess of Jersey, and several others; at half-past one, the Royal party arrived. First came the Earl of Errol, Master of the Buckhounds on a superb white horse; then several huntsmen in scarlet livery; then six carriages, each with four horses, postillions, and outriders; the Queen, with the Duchess of Kent, Prince Albert, and the Grand Duke Constantine, sat in the second carriage, etc. Amongst the ladies, in the carriages, were, the Duchess of Sutherland and her daughter, the Lady Leveson Gower, and with them the Prince Leiningen.

They drove slowly through the track. The Queen wore a pink bonnet, and dress, with feathers; the carriages were plain and rich, open barouches, and the livery of scarlet; the Prince wore the Windsor uniform, blue, turned up with scarlet; it was, together, a fine sight. As soon as they occupied their stand, the races began. Not half the horses that were entered, actually ran. The finest run, was that for the gold and silver vase, presented by Nicholas, of the Russias. Seven horses, out of forty that were entered, ran; the horses were fine, and the race well run; Hero, winning by half a length. The vase was placed on a pedestal in front of the Queen. Her Majesty's silver plate in one of the lower rooms; the subject of which was, a "Stag hunter at the death," ornamented with chasing in relief, was next run for. There were one mile heats, every half hour; but none of the running was equal to Chester, and that course is far better. In the wings of the Queen's stand, was a great crowd of the nobility; but there is no position here whence you can see the whole course, as at Chester. It is more like our Union Course, Long Island, and were it not the fashion, none would go to Ascot Heath.

4TH.-Called on Charles H. D., of 24 Baker street, with the introduction of N. P. Willis. We started out together, and walked through the park, and to Westminster Hall; went into the Roll's Court; Lord Langdale was on the bench, and Barristers were arguing; then, into the Lord Chancellors' Court: Cottenham was on the bench, the purse

and mace before him; then, to the Vice Chancellor's Court, crowded like the rest; then, to the Queen's Bench: Lord Denman was presiding; and then, to the Bail Court, just adjoining; then to the Common Pleas, where Sir Thomas Wilde, Chief Justice, was presiding; all the Court Rooms are small; the tiers of benches, scarcely enough for the bar, are all in a line on the south side of the Hall, excepting the Rolls and the Chancery, which are on the second floor. The Equity Judges wore the Clerical black gown; the Law Judges, purple gowns, with ermine facing, and capes; the wigs of horse hair, differ according to degree; heard portions of arguments; they were no better than at home; the Queen's Counsel and the Sergeants occupy the front benches. Heard them in the Common Pleas; their style was flippant, and small; attorney-wise; coming out of the Courts, walked down to the river, passing the Milbank Prison and opposite to old Lambeth Palace. Returned, to go again through the Abbey; found the Artists there as usual, painting in every corner; spent some hours there. Evening, with Herman-French.

5TH.-Went off early, with Mrs. A., and other ladies in their carriage, to Dulwich; spent an hour, or more, looking over this collection; here are near fonr hundred paintings, by the masters; a great many of Cuyp's landscapes, Tenier's, and Claude's; a fine snow scene, by Cuyp; and also, a number of beautiful cattle pieces. The original Spanish Flower Girl," by Murillo; also, by him, two