Saturday last was kept in London as Her Majesty's official birthday, and the time-honoured ceremony of trooping the colour was performed as usual on the Horse Guards Parade. The morning was brilliantly fine, and the heat of the sun almost tropical, so ladies donned their airiest and most becoming garments and the scene was most picturesque. The Princess of Wales was present, and had with her little Prince Edward of York who seemed quite alive to the importance of the occasion. The Prince of Wales, who received the salute, looked particularly well. It was only tite second time he had been on horseback since his serious accident at Waddesdon last year, and it is with satisfaction we hear that "he did not suffer the least inconvenience," so the cure may be pronounced complete, which is almost more than the surgeons in attendance dared hope for at one time.
With the Derby left behind and Ascot in view next week, the season may be siid to be at its height." Never has London looked more gay or beautiful. As I satin the Park couple of days ago watching the first meet of the season of the renowned Four-in-Hand Club, I could not help thinking what a wonderful sight it was. The twenty-seven coaches, exch with its magnificent team of horses, headed as usual by Lord Ancaster who rarely fails to lead the way, the lovely women in their beau ful gowns—never I think has dress been more exquisite than this season—the beautiful trees and flowers and lovely grass, which continues to look bright and green despite the great heat. I think if Mr. Wells shot a few of his Martians down among us just now they would think they had alighted on a veritable Paradise.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.