, and proved to be a
blacksmith, who is thought to be insane.

The news of the affair reached the palace before the King. When he reached
there he was greeted with shouts of welcome, and had to bow again and
again to show the people that he was safe and sound.

He appears to have treated the matter very lightly, and is reported to
have said to those who congratulated him on his escape:

"Oh, it was only one of the little accidents which happen to people of my
profession."

There was the greatest excitement throughout the city of Rome.

A large number of workingmen made their way to the palace, and asked to be
permitted to congratulate their sovereign.

Special thanksgiving services were held in the churches, and the entire
city gave itself up to rejoicing.

The excitement and enthusiasm must have been very great.

Crowds stood around the royal palace, and both King and Queen were obliged
to come out on the balcony to bow to the people, who cheered frantically,
and then joined in singing the royal hymn.

A friend of ours witnessed just such a scene as this in England many years
ago.

It was just after Queen Victoria had come to the throne.

One day, when she was out driving, a crazy man tried to shoot her.

The people of London were so excited about the matter that they could not
be made to believe that the Queen had escaped unhurt.

After her Majesty had bowed from her balcony and shown herself smiling and
unhurt, there was still a rumor that she had been wounded; and, fearing
some demonstration from the people, the young Queen's advisers thought it
best for her to appear in some public place and convince the people of her
safety.

It was during the opera season, and it was decided that her Majesty should
occupy her box there for a part of the performance.

The house was very crowded; and the opera was half over when Victoria
reached her box.

The great singer, Jenny Lind, was singing at the moment of her arrival,
and so entranced was the audience with the song, that it did not become
aware of her presence, until the singer broke off, silenced the orchestra
with a gesture, and walking to the front of the stage, made a low curtsey
to the Queen's box, and then lifting up her glorious voice, began to sing
the national anthem, "God Save the Queen."

The effect was electrical.

The orchestra took up the strain with her. The chorus rushed on to the
stage to join their voices to the hymn. The audience sta