BUCKINGHAM PALACE. JUST fifty years ago, under the care of an indulgent father, the writer visited London. We had a tedious journey of 150 miles to perform, and the time and toil required to accomplish it was a serious matter. But we arrived in safety, and soon set about seeing its great sights; among which was "Buckingham House," as it was then called. But before describing it as it then appeared we would just remark, that the history of the various palaces of the Kings and Queens of England would be interesting, but we cannot tell of them all now, beyond pointing out where they were. The Tower of London was no doubt one of the most ancient, especially as that city was generally the seat of power and government. But the Saxon monarchs, before the conquest, often resided at Winchester, a city about sixty miles south of London. The Tower, however, was, as we have said, the chief place down to the time of Richard III., the last of the Plantagenets; when, chiefly on account of the murders said to have been committed there by his orders, it was deserted as a royal residence. After this, Whitehall in Westminster, and Hampton Court, about twenty miles from London, were the usual abodes of royalty. Windsor Castle also, about twenty miles from London, had, for many centuries, been a favourite country residence of the sovereigns of England. St. James's Palace, in Westminster, was the principal residence of the Brunswick family-the George's I., II., III., IV. George III. bought the mansion called “ Buckingham House,” in 1761, as a residence for Queen Charlotte; and here all her numerous children were born, except the eldest. It was one fine morning, when the aged monarch, George III., was expected from Windsor Castle, that we went through the park and stood waiting outside the gates. In about half an hour we observed a cloud of dust on the gentle ascent called "Constitution Hill," and presently a troop of soldiers riding on each side of a' carriage with four horses, all coming at full speed. The soldiers drew up on each side the gate of the iron railing in front of the palace, and the carriage drove up to the steps. Presently two gentlemen assisted an infirm, white-headed, old man out of the carriage, and led him up the steps by supporting him under each of his arms. It was the KING! We could see little of him; but I remember he seemed very feeble, and was dressed in a plain blue coat. But I had seen King George! and that was something to talk about when I got home again; and this I vainly thought entitled me to a little more consideration and distinction among my play-fellows. George IV., the son of that King, had that mansion taken down, except a small portion, and in its place he erected the present splendid building. The former was a plain house with a brick front, and had nothing remarkable in its appearance. The palace erected in its place, as may be seen by the picture, is a magnificent structure. George IV. was very fond of splendour and display. He had certainly considerable taste in the arts, but he made the people pay very dear for it. This building, with its ornaments and decorations, cost an immense sum of money. William IV. also resided here frequently during his short reign, and it is now the residence of our beloved Queen, whenever she is in London; though her majesty is more frequently perhaps at Windsor, or at her new marine residence, Osborne House, on the Isle of Wight. Another front of the palace, besides that given in the picture, is in the garden, and is three hundred and forty-five feet in length, and of great architectural beauty. A broad terrace extends the whole length of it, and it is ornamented with statues of Prudence, Temperance, Fortitude, Faith, Hope, and Charity. There are also, in the garden behind the palace, some beautiful summer-houses, adorned by rich historical paintings. The marble arch which you see in the picture in front of the palace was said to be the finest in Europe, and resembled that of Constantine, at Rome. Under this arch we saw the Queen pass in her state coach as she returned from her coronation in Westminster Abbey. Her Majesty had her crown on her head, and bowed very kindly as the people saluted her. Certainly, she looked like a Queen—so dignified and gracious—and yet she was evidently fatigued by the long ceremonies she had been called to perform. On this arch were numerous tablets and decorations. On the side gates too were figures representing England, Scotland, and Ireland; and the Genius of England inciting Youth. There were also some designs of a naval and military character. We write of the arch as it was, for, though it cost an immense amount of money, it was not regarded as an ornament to the palace, and for that and other reasons it was removed, and the whole of the front has been built over to correspond with each of the wings, making the court-yard more retired and private. Some do not like its appearance so well now as before; but that is altogether a matter of taste and convenience. The waters and gardens represented in the picture, are in what is called St. James's Park, in front of the palace. They are open to the public, for certain hours, every day—that is, to all who behave with propriety; and if they do not, they are soon expelled. This is a delightful place for London people to walk in; and every day there are numerous visitors, especially nurse-maids with children to whom it affords great delight to throw bits of biscuit, or cakes, into the water, and then watch the fishes and the ducks contend for them! In the park, cows are allowed to stand here and there under the trees, and on a hot summer-day the little folks can have a pennyworth of milk fresh drawn from the cow. Very nice! no doubt, for London children. When standing in front of the palace, if you turn your back on the palace and look around, there is a very interesting scene. On the left is Piccadilly and the Green Park, with numerous mansions of the nobility, from Apsley House-the Duke of Wellington's, at the top of Piccadilly, on to the mansion of the Duke of Sutherland at the corner of the Green Park. On the right, Westminster barracks for soldiers, and lower down Westminster Abbey and Hall, and the Houses of Lords and Commons. Down before you are these gardens and waters in the park, and then the Horse Guards, Whitehall, and the Government offices. Lifting up your head to take in a wider range, you see, in the distance, St. Paul's, the Tower, the bridges and shipping, with houses, and public buildings of all kinds, which you would more distinctly recognize were it not for the everlasting cloud of smoke which hangs over the great city. The writer has now lived in the reigns of four sovereigns who have occupied this palace in one form or other during the past fifty years, the coronation of two of whom he attended as a spectator, William IV. and Victoria. He does not expect or wish to see another. He hopes God will yet long preserve to England her ex cellent Queen, whose public conduct and domestic virtues have secured for her the affection of all classes of her loyal subjects, and will render her reign illustrious in the pages of British History. Possibly some of our young friends may have, whilst reading the above, indulged a wish that they had been born to inherit the splendours of a Royal Palace. But let them be reminded that palaces, and thrones, and crowns, do not always make those who have them happy. Kings and Queens have often been very miser able, notwithstanding all their outward splendour-more miserable, some of them, than you would perhaps think it possible for a King or a Queen to be. But so it has been, and so it will be, and for this reason, Riches and honours cannot-no, they cannot-of themselves make any person happy. There must be something else; and that something else is-what is it? need you be told?—it is the favour of God. Except our Maker bless us, man cannot. Except our Creator make us happy, his creatures never can. A King or a Queen then, must, like all other people, live in the fear of God, if they would be truly happy; and if they do not, the wealth of kingdoms will be spread at their feet in vain. On the other hand, a poor man, struggling hard with poverty, may be happier than a King. Not because he is poor, but because he is living in the fear of God. The man who fears his Maker, feels that he is a sinner in his sight; and feeling himself a sinner, he humbles himself before God, and with a broken and contrite spirit seeks forgiveness from God through Jesus Christ. For he has heard the glad tidings that Jesus Christ the Son of God "died for our sins." He seeks for mercy with his whole heart, and God, who is faithful, forgiveth his sin. He is now made happy in the love and favour of his Creator. He wants no pomp or royal throne to make him happy-he is happy, and is looking for greater happiness in a better world. Young Reader, do not be led away by the glitter and pomp of outward appearances. Seek for the wisdom that cometh from Covet not worldly above. It is more precious than rubies. honour; but that which cometh from God. exalted among men, but humble yourself in the sight of the Lord. Above all things, as a sinful guilty creature, seek for the pardoning mercy of God in Christ, and, finding this, you will then be recognized as a child of God, and hereafter you will be made a King and a Priest unto him; have a living crown which you will wear as an everlasting ornament, sit down on a throne death will never compel you to vacate, and occupy one of those heavenly mansions which the Divine Redeemer has himself prepared for all his faithful followers. "Why talk we now of earthly things, The wealth of empires, crowns of kings, Can crowns or sceptres be compar'd |