21 DECEMBER 1844, Page 2

'1be Qrourt.

THERE is little to record this week of courtly peculiarity : the time has passed smoothly, and the great ones have enjoyed existence much after the fashion of meaner mortals.

The Queen and Prince Albert, with the Duke and Dutchess of Saxe Coburg and Gotha, Duke Ernest of Wurtemberg, and a suite, left Wind- sor Castle on Saturday, for town ; travelling from Slough by the Great Western Railway. Arrived at Paddington, the party entered three car- riages, and proceeded, under an escort of Life Guards, to the Cattle- show in Baker Street ; and thence to Buckingham Palace. The Queen and the Dutchess visited the Dutchess of Gloucester ; while Prince Albert transacted business at the office of the Dutchy of Cornwall in Somerset House. The whole party returned to Windsor as they came, and regained the Castle by four o'clock. On Monday, Prince Albert and the two Dukes went out shooting in the preserves.

The Duke and Dutchess of Saxe Coburg and Gotha and the Duke Ernest, with their suite, took leave on Tuesday. The Queen and Prince Albert accompanied their visiters to the principal entrance of the Castle, and there bade them farewell. The travellers went by the Great Western and Eastern Counties Railways to Dover ; where they em- barked for Ostend.

The Duke of Cambridge visited the Dutchess of Gloucester on Wed- nesday.