Ebe eourt.
TIIE Queen's " bounty " of food, coals, and clothing, to the poor of Wind- sor, was distributed on New Year's Day, in the Riding-school. The re- cipients, several hundreds in number, were selected from amongst the aged, infirm, and necessitous inhabitants of the town and neighbourhood. Each family sent its representative to receive the bounty. The Queen, Prince Albert, the young Princes and Princesses, with the Dutchess of Kent, Prince Lowenstein, the Marquis and Marchioness of Abercorn, and the mem- bers of the Royal Household, were present. The Honourable and Reverend Leslie Courtenay distributed the gifts; which consisted of 1,684 pounds of meat, 2,094 pounds of bread, 228 pecks of potatoes, and 478 pounds of plum pudding, besides 456 hundredweight of coals, and a large supply of blankets, winter cloaks, and calico.
The Queen had a dinner-party in the evening; and afterwards enter- tained a number of guests to witness the performauce of the Antigone. The tragedy was read by Mr. Bartley, assisted by Mr. Bartholomew, the author of the English version, who spoke the chorus. The whole of Men- delssohn's music, as well as his Ode to Eros was rendered by competent vocalists' supported by the Queen's private fiand. The performance was preceded by a monody to the memory of the great musician, recited by its author, Mr. Bartholomew.
The Duke and Dutchess of Cambridge, Prince George, and the Princess Mary, accompanied by Prince Frederick of Hesse, arrived at the Castle on Tuesday, on a visit to the Queen. They remained till Thursday. The Royal circle was further increased on Tuesday by the Earl and Countess Delawarr, and the Right Honourable William S. and Lady Caroline Las- celles; on Wednesday by the Earl of Aberdeen and the Earl of Auckland.
Prince Albert went shooting on Monday with Prince Lowestein; and on Tuesday followed the hounds.
The Dutchess of Gloucester visited the Princess Sophia on Sunday, at Kensington.
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