The original mansion was built by a person named Finch, one of whose descendants was promoted to the Peerage. The house was then called Nottingham House. The 2nd Earl of Nottingham sold it to King William III., 1691, for 18,000 guineas, and here, December 28, 1694, Queen Mary died of small pox. William, who was much attached to this palace, divided his time between Hampton Court and Kensington. In the month of February, 1702, he was thrown from his horse and brought back to Kensington, where he died March 8, 1702, in the 52nd year of his age. Queen Ann and Prince George of Denmark were the next inhabitants of the palace. The Queen died here August 1, 1714. In the reign of George I. the palace was much altered and improved. George II. died in this palace 25th October, 1760, aged 77. The State Apartments were not occupied afterwards. The lower apartments, in the south-east portion of the palace, were for some years occupied by the late Duke and Duchess of Kent, and on the 24th May, 1819, an infant princess was born here, who is now our beloved QUEEN VICTORIA. KENSINGTON GARDENS.—“Bewick” writes, 1705: “Whatever is deficient in the house is made up in the gardens. There is a noble collection of foreign plants—every inch is well improved—the whole, with the house, not being above 26 acres. Her Majesty (Queen Ann) has been pleased to add near 30 acres more toward the north. Upon this spot nearly 100 men work daily.” In George Second’s reign Queen Caroline threw a string of ponds in Hyde Park into one, so as to form what is called the Serpentine River. Her Majesty also added 300 acres from Hyde Park. At this time the gardens were only opened on Saturday, whilst His Majesty and Court went to Richmond, and company appeared only in full dress on this day. Hyde Park was originally Hyde Farm, and belonged to the Monastery of Westminster. At the Reformation it became vested in the Crown. During the Commonwealth the Park was sold in 3 lots. 112 acres on Bayswater side were bought by Richard Wilcox for £4,141, and John Tracey bought 177 acres on the Kensington side for £3,906 7s. 6d. Anthony Deane, of St. Martin’s-in-the-Fields, bought Tyburn Meadow, a banqueting house at Park Corner, Bayard’s watering, a fortification, a barn and stable, and land down to Park Corner, for £9,020 8s. 2d. The fortification was opposite St. George’s Hospital, and another was in Mount Street, Park Lane. These fortifications were hurriedly put up by the inhabitants to prevent the royalist army reaching London. Hudibras writes: “Marched rank and file, with drum and ensign. T’entrench the city for defence in; Raised rampiers with their own soft hands, To put the enemy to stands. “From ladies down to oyster wenches Laboured like pioneers in trenches, Fal’n to their pick axes and tools, And helped the men to dig like moles.” HORTON STREET CHAPEL,