The Queen, who is in semi-military habit and rides a white horse, is attended by her uncle, the King of the Belgians, on her right, with Lord Hill, Commander of the Forces, on her left, and the Duke of Wellington behind.] The Penny Post, then, endures as the single masterpiece of the Melbourne Ministry, affording another example, if one were wanting, how men become famous for the achievements on which they pride themselves least. Macaulay, having returned from India at this time, had re-entered Parliament as member for Edinburgh, and joined the Cabinet as Secretary for War. Greville quotes him as having declared that he wished he could destroy all that he had written up to that date, for he thought "his time had been thrown away upon _opuscula_ unworthy of his talents." He had resolved to apply himself to serious work--the History of England. But much of his literary renown rests on these _opuscula_: most people esteem Macaulay the essayist far more highly than Macaulay the historian or Macaulay the Minister. Greville himself, in relating this anecdote, unconsciously illustrates the inability of men to judge of their own performances. Speculating what Macaulay might have been "if he had wasted his time and frittered away his intellect as I have done mine," the diarist proceeds, "if I had been carefully trained and subjected to moral discipline, I might have acted a creditable and useful part." Possibly; but in that case the journal, by which alone Greville is remembered, had never been written. [Illustration: CENTRAL POSTAL TELEGRAPH OFFICE. This large building, officially known as the "G.P.O. West," occupies the corner of Newgate Street opposite to the General Post Office at St. Martin's-le-Grand. It was erected in 1870-74, and is entirely devoted to telegraphic business. The uppermost three floors are operating rooms, of the interior of one of which we give a view on page 31.] [Sidenote: Betrothal of the Queen.] Before the close of the year announcement was made of an event of the highest importance, which was to affect in a very large degree the material progress of the nation as well as the character and happiness of the monarch. On November 23 the Queen held a Privy Council at Buckingham Palace, and made known her intention to marry her cousin, the Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. "About eighty Privy Councillors were present," writes Greville, "the folding doors were thrown open and the Queen came in, attired in a plain morning gown, but wearing a bracelet containing Prince Albert's picture. She read the declaration in a clear, sonorous, sweet-toned voice, but her hands trembled so excessively that I wonder she was able to read the paper which she held." [Illustration: _W. C. Ross, A.R.A._} {_By permission of Messrs. Graves._ HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCE ALBERT AT THE TIME OF HIS MARRIAGE.] [Sidenote: Character of Prince Albert.]