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 he country, usually taking up their residence for a few weeks on the beautiful estate of Balmoral, in Aberdeenshire, which has since been purchased by her Majesty. Here, the Queen of Great Britain may be seen in the humblest and meanest cottages on the estate, conversing freely with the simple peasantry, and sometimes partaking of their homely are.

In the year 1846, the long-agitated questions of the Corn laws, and Free-trade, which had been prominent subjects of debate in several successive sessions of Parliament, were finally settled by the legislature. By the Repeal of the Corn- laws, foreign Grain is imported free of duty into this country, and the beneficial operations of the measure have been made manifest in the comparative comfort of the people regarding he means of subsistence, during a period of scarcity and worth in many parts of the empire.

Although the past reign of Queen Victoria can scarcely be called one of peace, yet during it there have not been wanting any triumphs of that peaceful commercial enterprize, and advancement in science and art, which have contributed to ise our country to its present high position among the stations. Along many of the railways that most wonderful invention of the age, the Electric Telegraph, conveys political d commercial intelligence with a velocity which former es could never have anticipated. In the year 1851, the wing of a submarine Telegraph between England and ance, a distance of 26 miles across the English channel, s completed. But this year, 1851, will be memorable, in tory, chiefly for that glorious triumph of the arts of peace which it inaugurated-the Great Exhibition of Works of t and Industry, held in London, and to which almost every country the globe sent its contributions and its visitors. For the original proposal of this splendid scheme, the unparalleled success with which it was carried out, at credit is due to her Majesty's Consort, Prince Albert, the energy, ingenuity, and eminent talents for business displayed, in his capacity of President of the Royal Commissioners, and active superintendent of the plans and arrangements necessary in such a mighty undertaking.

The Great Exhibition was opened by the Queen with a gorgeous ceremony in the Crystal Palace, Hyde Park, on the of May, and was finally closed for admission to the public, on the 11th of October, 1851.

May Queen Victoria's reign continue one of prosperity and peaceǃ