5 JANUARY 1856, Page 6

tht trout.

THE prominent festivities at Windsor Castle on New-Year's Day were the distribution of food and elothing in the morning, and the perform- ance of Mehul's sacred drama of Joseph in thc awning. The dis- tribution of food and clothing to six hundred persons took place in the Riding-house, in the presence of the Queen, Prince Albert, the Royal children, Prince Ernest of Leinengen, the Duke of Cambridge, and the Duke of Newcastle. The drama of foseph was performed in St George's Hall.

The Queen has driven out in an open carriage, weather permitting; and Prince Albert, with Prince Ernest, the Duke of Cambridgethe Dull of Newcasstle, Prince Edward and Prince Gustavus of Saxe ei- mar, have largely indulged in shooting. Prince Albert has also hunted. Two of • the young Princes have attended Mr. Faraday's lectures at the Royal Institution.

Mr. Parkes had an audience of the Queen yesterday, on his return from a mission to the King of Siam. The list of guests at the Queen's table includes Prince Edward and Prince Gustavus of Saxe Weimar, Mr. Henry Labouchere, Mr. and Lady Frances Baillie, the Duke of Newcastle the Earl of Glarendon, Colonel Steele, the Belgian Minister and Madame Van de Weyer, Lord and Lady Palmerston, Lord and Lady Hardinge.