The canals were of course frozen, and all traffic, except of skaters, was at an end.
In the country the effect of the cold upon the rivers and canals was the same—they were hard frozen. The roads were covered with snow, which made traffic impossible; and when the snow had been cleared away, they were equally dangerous from the frozen surfaces. As usual, in certain localities the cold was more intense than in the registered spots; country newspapers recorded thermometers which marked 4°, 6°, and more, below zero. Derwentwater was entirely frozen over; fires were lighted and feasts given to mark the occasion; and carts and waggons passed over to the island. Windermere was also frozen over, and parties skated not only across, but from end to end: a traffic was established between the villages by wheelbarrows. All round the coast the very unusual spectacle was witnessed of ice formed in the bays of the sea, and left aground among the rocks at low-water. A traffic was established over the ice, chiefly by amateurs, from Boston to Lincoln—thirty-five miles.*
* “Annual Register.”
The closing months of the year were also severe. In October there was a great fall of rain. Fogs unusually dense and hard frosts occurred in November. December was a very cold month, and through the last quarter of the year there were many storms. During the year 1,141 ships were lost.
VISIT OF THE EMPEROR OF THE FRENCH.
One of the most interesting home events of the year occurred in the middle of April—a visit of the Emperor and Empress of the French to the queen. They left Paris on the 15th April, and on the 16th sailed for England. Their arrival at Dover and their journey to London was a triumph; and on their arrival, their progress through the great capital was marked by a popular demonstration, which, from its enthusiasm and vastness, may be called sublime. The line of carriages passed through crowded streets—crowded from the kerbstones to the housetops—? until they reached Hyde Park Corner. It is said that the emperor pointed out to the empress the street, leading into St. James’s Street, where he had humble lodgings, when, seven years before, he was an exile residing in London. On the 10th of April, 1848, he turned out, bâton in hand, to serve as a special constable, when the Chartists, under the guidance of the unfortunate Fergus O’Connor, threatened an invasion of London. Seven years and one week, save a day, had elapsed since Napoleon was thus obscure; and it was reserved for him to pass through the streets of the great city, guarded by the household troops of her majesty, her guest, and the companion of her consort, while her whole people turned out to confirm her invitation, and add to the honours she had reserved for him. O tempora mutantur, et mutamur cum illos! When the illustrious visitors entered Hyde Park, an entirely new scene awaited them.
Comparatively few of the lower classes were there; but nowhere else in Europe could such an array of carriages and horsemen be presented. The writer of this History took up his position near the Magazine, where a tolerable opportunity of seeing the procession was offered; but so dense were the carriages and the equestrians, that persons on foot were much impeded. The imperial pair, with Prince Albert, were seated in an open barouche. Six of the royal carriages, each drawn by four horses, and attended by outriders, conveyed the visitors and suite to the Great Western Station. The pace was too rapid for the gratification of the people, and the respect due to their efforts to make them welcome. Immediately on the arrival of the royal and imperial party at the Paddington Station they proceeded to Windsor.*
* “Nolan’s History of the War against Russia.” J. S. Virtue, City Road and Ivy Lane, London.
During the week the imperial pair were received in the City by the corporation, and many demonstrations of respect and popular enthusiasm greeted them. On Saturday they returned to France; where the emperor, soon after, while riding in the streets of Paris, narrowly escaped death by the hand of an Italian assassin.