"Among the gambling policies ever open in the city, the 'life of Bonaparte' has long been a favourite object for scandalous speculations, and for the last twelve months had been _done_ at from 2 to 2-1/2 per cent. per month, as the dangers to which he was exposed seemed to diminish or increase. In the beginning of this present December, policies to a _very large amount_ have been negotiated, and _Twelve Guineas_ given to receive One Hundred, if the Tyrant be alive on the 1st of January." Gas lighting in the streets of London was first introduced in August, 1807, when Golden Lane Brewery, and a portion of Beech and Whitecross Streets were illuminated by its means. The Gaslight and Coke Company got their Charter in 1810, and had lamps outside their offices in Pall Mall; but progress in this direction was very slow, and the old oil lamps died hard. We read in _The Morning Chronicle_ of December 20th: "The Gas lights which have been exhibited in the two Palace Yards, and in some of the streets of the neighbourhood, during the sitting of Parliament, will, upon its adjournment, be discontinued; and those places only be lighted, for which the Company has contracts." CHAPTER XII. 1814. The Fog -- Condition of Ireland -- State of the Navy -- The Regent at Belvoir -- Coming of age of Princess Charlotte -- Day of Thanksgiving -- Great Snowstorm -- Thames frozen over -- Sports thereon -- Frost fair -- The Country and the Snow. The year 1814 was an _annus mirabilis_ for England, as will be seen as it is unfolded. It began with a fog, not an ordinary fog, but one which, from its exceptional character, was enshrined as part of the history of the Country. It prevailed in London, and many miles round, during the whole of the last week of 1813 until the 4th of January, when it cleared off--the mails and other conveyances were delayed, and many accidents happened. It was no respecter of persons, for the Regent, who was going to visit the Duke of Rutland at Belvoir, in order to stand personally as Godfather to the baby Marquis of Granby, was delayed a day by this fog, so that the Christening had to be postponed, and the young Marquis had to be a day longer in an unregenerate state. A dragoon, who left London for Windsor at 6 p.m. with particulars of the passage of the Nive by the Allied Armies, did not arrive until 4 a.m. in consequence of the fog, although he got a lanthorn and candle at Hounslow. A sergeant of the West Kent Militia, which corps was then garrisoning the Tower, stepped off the wharf into the river, and was drowned--and there were other fatalities.