Near at hand stood Kingston House, erected by the beautiful Miss Chudleigh and the Duke of Kingston, and there it was that the lady gave those wonderful masquerades and fêtes described by Horace Walpole, to celebrate the royal birthdays, at which the fireworks were so extensive that stands were put up in Hyde Park for onlookers anxious to witness the display. The fact of seven hundred and thirty coaches passing Hyde Park Corner in three days is chronicled by Horace Walpole as a most wonderful thing. It is interesting to note in the Report of the recent Royal Commission on London traffic, that during a certain day between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., 29,320 vehicles passed the Marble Arch. _Traffic which passed Marble Arch from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on 6th July 1904._ Omnibuses 4,745 Trade Vehicles 7,314 Cabs and Carriages 13,135 Barrows 310 Cycles 3,816 ——— Total 29,320 ====== _Traffic which passed Hyde Park Corner from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on 26th July 1904._ Omnibuses 6,635 Trade Vehicles, Selected Carriers 714 „ „ Others 7,249 Cabs, Two-wheel 7,096 „ Four-wheel 2,654 Carriages 2,414 ——— 26,762 Barrows 384 Cycles 2,140 ——— Total 29,286 ====== These numbers are much greater now—and the motors run into several thousands. Over 3000 vehicles pass the Marble Arch during a busy hour. More traffic passes the scene of old Tyburne in twenty-four hours than any other spot in London, and yet the police organisation is so perfect there is rarely a mishap. Of the most famous highwaymen of former times succeeding chapters will tell. The great rendezvous of the footpads who preyed on the passers-by was at the “Halfway House” in Knightsbridge, and numerous attacks on people in Hyde Park were recorded. “Lady Betty Waldegrave,” says her uncle, “was robbed t’other night in Hyde Park, under the very noses of the lamps and the Patrole.” Horace Walpole and his relations seem to have been favourite prey for the highwaymen. Elsewhere a story of a tragic encounter is given, but there is a comic incident as well.