the more satisfactory to me, inasmuch as it was a reward in which Mrs. Bessemer would take an equal share with myself, as she had already done in the invention which had been of such signal service to the State.

On the 21st June I received an intimation from the Right Honourable R.A. Cross that Her Most Gracious Majesty had been pleased to signify her intention of conferring on me the honour of Knighthood, after the Council which would be held at Windsor Castle, on Thursday, the 26th instant ensuing. I accordingly repaired to Windsor on that day. One of the royal carriages awaited my arrival at the station, and conveyed me to the Castle, where I had the honour of passing through the quaint and interesting ceremony of kneeling on one knee before Her Majesty, and receiving a gentle blow across the shoulder from a light and beautifully jewelled sword, and was commanded to express my gratitude by kissing the hand of Her Most Gracious Majesty. I afterwards took lunch at the Castle, and then returned to London.