“But it is in the Parks where Jack Frost is seen in all his glory—there his admirers assemble in thousands; and, casting aside all distinctions of society, the Lord Muskovers and the Bill Flue-scrapers jostle each other on the ice as though they were really ‘dearly beloved brethren,’ and not pomander and soot-balls. No bacchanalian revel more stirring and confused; and yet the only excitement is exercise. Stay! there are brandy-balls, so highly recommended by the vendors that, at a loss for further eulogium, they fall back upon inquiry, and ask (of course, without asking for a reply), ‘If one warms you for a week, what will two do?’ Peppermint lozenges are in great request: and ginger-rock and kian drops are ‘hot in the mouth’ too. Roasting chestnuts crackling over glowing charcoal are irresistible to boys with cold hands and a penny. A happy fellow is this son of winter, for see how the rogue has kissed those pretty lips and dainty cheeks until they are red as summer roses. What would not those guardsmen give for the same privilege, even though they should kiss through the wedding ring?” Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in later days used to take a daily drive in Hyde Park. In 1840 a man named John Oxford shot at the Queen on Constitution Hill. Her Majesty fortunately escaped unhurt, so the drive was continued to Hyde Park Corner, and a visit paid to the Duchess of Kent in Belgrave Square. The next day Her Majesty and the Prince appeared as usual in the Park, and were the subject of remarkable popular demonstrations. Victorian Hyde Park we still have with us, and such changes as have been introduced, except in the early days of the reign, are within the memory of some. Chief of these structurally is the Marble Arch. It has stood on its present site since 1851. The public entrance—for only the King and Queen use the centre Arch—is still known as Cumberland Gate, so named after the Duke of Cumberland, whose ruthless massacres after Culloden won for him the soubriquet of “the Butcher.” Cumberland Gate, of which an old drawing is here reproduced, was erected in 1744, largely at the expense of the residents of Cumberland Place, of whose artistic taste little is to be said. It consisted of an ugly brick arch, with wooden gates below. Military executions took place inside the Park just west of it. For long it was known as Tyburn Gate, from the gallows which stood near by, so that its associations have always been sanguinary. Old Cumberland Gate was taken down in 1822, and in truth its disappearance was no loss. [Illustration: OLD CUMBERLAND GATE. To the left of which military executions took place inside the Park. _From a Print in the Crace Collection, British Museum._]