11 AUGUST 1849, Page 4

IRELAND.

THE Q1JEEN'5 VISIT.

The appearance of the Royal excursion-fleet was signaled in Cove har- bour between eight and nine o'clock on Thursday evening; and at a little before ten the Queen's yacht dropped anchor alongside of the Ganges (84), amidst the boom of artillery and the blaze of an universal illumination on sea and land. Rear-Admiral Sir Manley Dixon was the only person al- lowed that evening to pay his personal respects to her Majesty.

On Friday morning at eight o'clock, the ships in the harbour fired a royal

• salute, and various official gentlemen had the honour of an early audience. The Queen and Prince Albert are " authoritatively " stated to have "landed in the morning and walked," although in the same authoritative account her Majesty's "first landing on Irish ground" is formally chroni- cled afterwards at two o'clock. The public officers of Cove communicated with Sir George Grey on the subject of the Queen's landing; representing that her Majesty's arrival a full day earlier than it had been announced by Sir George, had left all the preparations in a state of incompleteness. Sir George is stated to have replied, that her Majesty was anxious to be able to arrive at Kingston on Saturday, and therefore desirous to land on Friday and depart early in the morning. This arrangement was carried out. Most of the reports observe that the precipitation had no effect on the completeness and beauty of the scene: one writer, however, declares as a faithful chroni- cler, that he must mention ill effects due to the altered programme,— the triumphal arches were well designed but were "naked and deformed," luid some balconies were untrimmed. Discontent was created among the mercenary minds who looked to the occasion with a principal view to pro- fit. However, there is unanimous testimony that the personal reception of the Queen was as warm a one as even Irishmen could possibly give. The poorer sort "wished her Honour more power, that she might do more good, • and God bless her." A Repealer was seen in full uniform of Repeal load- ing a solitary cannon and firing it with the most exuberant demonstrations of loyalty. About two o'clock, her Majesty's yacht moved from its sta- tion towards the town of Cove, steering so- as to afford a good

view of the Royal personages to the masses on the crowded [shores. The " firsklanding on Irish ground " was then accomplished, with due accom- paniments of artillery and popular shouts. A deputation of the townsmen

of Cove was received; and the Queen was pleased to comniand that Cove should henceforth bear the name of Queenstown, in commemoration of the present visit. It is noted that at the moment her Majesty stepped on shore,• the sun shone forth with sudden and unwonted splendour. The deputation presented a loyal address; which was received by the Queen with " great sa- tisfaction." Her Majesty and Prince Albert rambarked, and steamed up the river to Cork; the beauty of the scenery attracting their especial attention. On the way, the yacht was hailed by a humble procession of fishermen's

boats: the Queen stopped, and the fishermen duteously presented a large salmon to her Majesty. " The offering of these poor men was accepted." The landing at Cork took place near thiCustomhouse; which had been gorgeously decked out with scarlet cloth, bearing an emblazonry of sham- rock, rose, and thistle; and exhibiting in raised letters of gold the words " Cead mule fealtha! "—" a hundred thousand welcomes!" On either side

of a triumphal arch were flags bearing the Corporation motto, a Statio belie fida carinis," &c. gscs. The Queen received a deputation from the Cor. poration, headed by the Mayor, with an address. Besides acknowledging the address, her Majesty conferred the honour of knighthood on Mr. Lyons the Mayor,—" a portly, handsome-looking gentleman' who seemed very popular with his fellow citizens." Deputations were also received from the clergy: and the Queen entered into conversation with the Mar- quis of Thomond and several Irish noblemen and gentlemen already known to her. The Royal party then landed, and made the procession through Cork: everywhere it met a people rejoicing to transports at her Majesty's personal visit to the " ould counthry." The procession ended, the party reembarked about seven o'clock; and the Queen's yacht swept rapidly down the river to her station by the Ganges, leaving the crowd of steamers which started with her in a Icing wake behind.

"The Queen's children remained on board the Victoria and Albert during the day," says the Court circular; but other accounts state that Prince Albert landed with them before starting for Cove, and strolled with them for a short distance into the country.

The excursion-fleet got under weigh at ten on Saturday morning. The passage to Kingstown was not made direct: the squadron steered first for Waterford, and arrived there shortly after four in the afternoon. On the way, to amuse the Queen, a race was got up between the Vivid and the Banshee; and the Times reporter, who seems to have obtained the pri- vilege of a passage in one of the vessels of the squadron, gives a spirited description of it-

" About half-past one, the Victoria and Albert hoisted some mysterious little flags to her main, which, after fluttering for a little, were hauled down and re- placed by others; and in a moment the Vivid and the Banshee put down their helms, and went about as fast as they could, till they had altered their coarse completely. In fact, they had been ordered to run to and speak the Sphynx, then right astern and almost hull down, to return and pass the Royal yacht, that they might ascertain their respective rates of speed. The little vessels ab- solutely flew over the water—no, not over exactly, for now and then, the Vivid especially, they sent their sharp bows right into a wave and were for a second lost in a hazy mist of spray. The race was most exciting ; parallel to each other, and only about three hundred yards apart, the rivals went plunging on through foam and wave to their common goal. The commanders, like the two sons of Tydeus, eager to excel, hurried about, trumpet in hand, from deck to paddlebox, noting every yaw of the steersmen with the closest scrutiny, and encouraging their engineers as the heroes of old were wont to exhort their charioteers. For miles they steamed on, and yet it would be impossible to say any alteration took place in their respective positions. By rapid degrees the Sphynx was neared, and the excitement was at its greatest. The Vivid, smaller than the Banshee, and much shorter, went round like a top, and passed up to the port-quarter of the man-of- war. The Banshee, describing a far wider circle' ranged up on her starboard- quarter; and it then became evident that her rival had somewhat the best of the struggle, and would pass the Sphynx first. So indeed it proved; and the race was to the swift; for the Vivid on drawing ahead of the Sphynx was perhaps a few inches in advance of the Banshee, but continued in the race back to the Vic- toria and Albert to increase her advantage till she was nearly a cable's length be- fore her competitor. It was nearly two o'clock before they rounded the Sphynx, and just before three they came up with the Royal yacht. Here the Vivid would not be denied ; making the most of her position, she dashed right before the Ban- shee so as to give her the full benefit of the wash of her wheels, and shot past like a racehorse. As the gallant little craft neared the Victoria and Albert, all the hands of the latter were piped on deck, and her officers cheered the victor lustily; while the Prince and the distinguished persons by whom he was sur- rounded seemed highly delighted with the contest." The squadron dropped anchor for the night between Passage and Bally- hack, two small fishing-villages in Waterford harbour, which showed their loyalty by illuminating every pane of their cottage-windows and by burn- ing prodigious 'bonfires on the shore. Prince Albert is said to have ascended to Waterford in the Fairy, and spent a brief hour in walking. On Sunday morning, the weather was ambiguous. The Vivid was ordered out at six o'clock to report seaward appearances: her experienced commander re- turned with reassuring accounts, and the voyage to Kingstown was resumed at nine o'clock, though there was a dull sky and a strong unfavourable wind. But as the day advanced, the weather improved; and in the after- noon it was such as to show to perfection the great beauties of the Wicklow coast. Multitudes of persons were crowding every point of the shore from which the passing of the fleet could be seen; and for that reason the line of coast was closely followed; the wild shouts of the Irish often break- ing on the ear from the prominent headlands. On approaching Kingstown harbour, the fleet was signaled to !IMMO its order of procession. "The harbour is composed of two immense arms of stone running out into the sea for the distance of a mile, and gradually narrowing from the land to the en- trance, while the rising grounds behind are covered with streets of well-built and handsome houses. The Eastern arm was literally blackened with the mass of persons upon it; the harbour itself was so fell of yaohts and small craft that it seemed difficult to imagine where the squadron would find room • and the jetty— a space of ground as large as that in the rear of the Horse Guards—was crowded to suffocatien- while the tops of the houses commanding a view of the scene were just as deneeljr covered. Their enthusiasm was excessive. When the Queen appeared on deck, there wasa burst of cheering, renewed again and again, which -'must have done lose- heart good '; and when the Victoria and Albert, ami salutes'from-achts and steamers swung round at anchor, head to wind, shortil Wore-eight o'clock, there must have been 40,000 persons present." • At early dawn on Monday, a navy of steamers and vessels of eye'," other description crossed the harbour from the Dublin river to the Kings- town Railway station; and the Royal squadron was totally enveloped in a crowded mass of floating spectators. An awning had been erected from the jetty to the railway platform; and as ;he aides of this awning lad been purposely' left open a concourse had there also gathered, chiefly of ladies and the better class of Dublin citizens. About nine o'clock, the Lord- Lieutenant and Lady Clarendon, with Prince George of Cambridge, the Archbishop of Dublin and the other chief Officers of State, proceeded on board to be in attendance on her Majesty. A deputation from the County of Dublin, consisting mostly of noblemen and headed by the Earl of Charlemont, presented an address, and received a written reply. At ten, the Queen and Prince Albert prepared to land. The procession was brined. Lord Clarendon advanced, and, bowing low, stepped before the Queen on the gangway. The Queen and Prince Albert followed, with their children, and train of noblemen. At the instant the Queen's foot pressed the shore, the royal standard swept aloft and spread itself to the breeze; a guard of honour presented arms, the populace shouted, and the heavy 68-pounders of the ships shook, the earth with a tremendous salute.

"It was a sight," says the Times report, "never to be forgotten—a sound to be recollected for ever. Ladies threw aside the old formula of waving a white pocket-handkerchief, and cheered for their lives, while the men, pressing in so closely as to throng to the very edges of the pavilion, waved whatever came first to hand, hat, stick, wand, or coat, (for the day was very hot,) and rent the air with shouts of joy, which never decreased in energy till their beloved Sovereign was far out of sight. The Queen, turning from side to side, bowed low re- peatedly. Prince Albert shared in and acknowledged the plaudits of the people; while the Royal children were objects of universal attention and admiration. 'Oh! Queen, dear !' screamed a stout old lady beside us, 'make one of them Prince Pa- trick, and all Ireland will die for you Indeed, her Majesty seemed to feel the warmth of her reception. She paused at the end of the platform for a moment, and, again making her acknowledgments, was hailed with one universal and tre- mendous cheer as she entered the terminus!!

The Directors of the Railway Company received her Majesty at the station and attended her in the train to Sandymount; where she entered her owireitrriage.

There is a discrepancy in the accounts as to the tone of the welcome here. The reporters of the Times, which we have mainly followed, viewed the scene in a very warm and'enthusiastie light; and they were even ex- ceeded in this respect by the reporters of the Morning Chronicle. Those of the Morning Post, however, assert constantly that the welcome was "everywhere hearty but nowhere enthusiastic," the cheers by no means thrilling, and the excitement altogether moderate. A writer in the Daily News, whose description is less detailed than the others takes pains to ex- plain the aspect of the popular feeling exactly, but wj.th a strong feeling against Lord Clarendon- " The cheers Eat the landing] were neither thundering, nor vigorously ani- mated evik4 the vehemence of Irish nature, so emotional and ardent. They were very wellbred cheers, and certainly did not make too much noise. Nor let your reader feel disappointment at such having been the case; as it is my duty to tell him that the people were not represented in that assemblage of mawkishly gen- teel and particularly consequential assemblage of the seabathing snobocracy of Dublin. 'f he ladies formed too large a portion to give the cheering the requisite resonance, and the dandies were too stiff and too full of their kid gloves and their patent boots to give the hearty cheer of generous manhood. Lord Clarendon's own attempt at a cheer was very bad; but he may be excused, as a popular cheer has been a sound unknown to him since he became the ruler of this ill-fated island. But certainly the Viceregal notion of a hurrah recalled to me Cowper's couplet:

being tried, it dies upon the lip,

Like the faint note of a chicken in the pip.'

"There was great difference of opinion as to the looks of her Majesty. One said that she seemed to be flashed and frightened ; but another asserted that she was sunburnt and weather-beaten. Her Majesty at Kingstown had certainly i not the assured and calmly happy countenance which n another hour she wore in

Sackville Street - The fact appeared to be, that the Queen, as she walked along the crimson carpeting of the lengthy railway platform, seemed rather ner- vous; and she returned the greetings of the ladies and gentlemen around with a slightly timorous air, that roused fresh sympathy for her in every generous heart. And right glad was Ito hear the vigorous cheers which came in my vicinity from some Catholic gentlemen of sterling independence and strong popular prin- ciples. Still there was a misgiving in the mind of many that the reception would prove a failure, so coldly artificial and facetiously loyal appeared the reception at Kingstown. But that misgiving, as you will now find, was soon agreeably dis- "When, after leaving Sandymount, and passing Ball's pridge, her Majesty advanced into the great wide road which runs up into Baggot Street, it was

evident to every person that she was beginning to receive a reception more unmis- takeably fitting for the Sovereign that rules. And the fact grew more and more evident as the Royal lady proceeded further on her way. When passing through the city-gates, where she received the keys of the city, the cheering of the vast assembled crowd was beyond cavil or dispute genuine and spontaneous; though it fell short doubtless of the uproarious buoyancy and half frantic enthusiasm which on gala occasions at former periods characterized the Irish populace. The Queen certainly appeared to feel gratified; she seemed really quite pleased at the good-will expressed to her. The Royal children sat right opposite to her; and in their youthful innocence and unpretending appearance went right home to the susceptible heart of an Irish assemblage, thrilling it with good feeling and kind- ling up real good-nature." At the entrance to the city of Dublin, a gigantic archway and gate had been erected, that the ceremony of delivering the city-keys might be duly performed.

• "The arch was really a splendid piece of architecture; consisting of a great central arch and wings, 127 feet wide and 92 feet high. The great gate in the centre was 20 feet wide and 36 feet high. It was constructed of wrought iron, and bore on the one compartment the letters V. R.,' and on the corresponding one 'A. C.,' the whole exquisitely decorated with roses and floral wreaths, and surmounted by an immense shamrock branch. Over this stood an architrave, Ornamented with artificial flowers and laurels, supporting the Royal arms, with the arms of the city on either side. The whole was capped by an Imperial crown of beautiful workmanship, 10 feet in diameter with the usual national emblems, the shamrock, rose, and thistle:- Four city 'heralds occupied the basement, at- tired in their ancient and absurd costal:ea, Here were stationed the civic author-

ities —the Lord Mayor in his state carriage, in full dress, with the collar and chain, Town-Clerk, Swordbearer, Macebearer, High Constable, City Marshal, the Recorder, the High Sheriff, the members of the Town-Connell in their scarlet robes and cocked hats and a guard of honour of the Sixth Calabineers, with their band and standard."

Summoned into the Royal presence, the Lord Mayor approached, and hprnbly presented the keys of his city, with a respectful address. The Queen replied; or rather essayed to reply, for it would seem that the eager corporators prevented her from saying all that was set down for her. "Having returned the keys, she said—' I am delighted to be in Dublin: I am gratified at the reception I have met with in this, the second city of empire—' Hereupon the riotous corporators, rushing round the Carriage, cheered so vocifereusly that her Majesty proceeded no further." The procession resumed its march through the various streets to the Viceregal Lodge; which was reached at twelve o'clock.

" As the route was traversed further and further," says the Daily News writer already quoted, " the Queen appeared more pleased. In Sackville Street the genuine character of her reception was best seen. Some of your readers will require to know that Sackville Street is the widest in this empire; forming in it- self a vast space, where it would be a vain task to rely on mere hired clacqueurs. For though any bungler in the sorry trickery of Viceregal chicane is equal to packing a jury, it would be vain for the invidious acts of a practised diplomatist to pack a great public reception with the untutored cordiality which everywhere was expressed towards her Majesty yesterday. In Sackville Street, I can assure you without the least exaggeration, that the cheers were hearty and full of spirit and good-humour ; though still there was a certain subdued tone about the gra- tulations that showed the people had thought of how far they might go without being taken for servile or grovelling worshipers of exalted station. The cheering was certainly more general and pervasive through all ranks of society than has been known since the visit of George the Fourth, in 1821; but it would be erro- neous—quite erroneous—to think that in prolonged vehemence of enthusiastic applause the cheering yesterday approached to that evoked from popular en- thusiasm by the tribunitian genius of O'ConnelL The spectacle however, of all ranks joining in honest applause towards one object, was perfectly unique, most imposing and inspiriting in its effect, and not soon to be forgotten, from its striking rarity, by those who had the good fortune to witness it."

In the afternoon the Queen and Prince Albert went in an open carriage to the Botanical Gardens at Glasnevin. In the evening, the Earl of Cla- rendon, the Marquis of Lansdowne, and Sir George Grey, were among the guests at the dinner-table.

During Monday night there were heavy rains; and showers fell at in- tervals throughout Tuesday, so that her Majesty's party had to proceed from place to place in close carriages. There was no formal escort in at- tendance, but Lord Clarendon and some of the higher officers attended on horseback. In that order, the Queen made a tour of Dublin, to see its public buildings and institutions; beginning with the Bank, formerly the seat of the Irish Parliament. At the National Model Schools in Marl- borough Street, her Majesty was received by Dr. Whately, Archbishop of Dublin, Dr. Murray, the Roman Catholic Archbishop, the Reverend Dr. Henry, President of Queen's College Belfast, and the other Commissioners of Education' several noblemen and clergymen, both Protestant and Ca- tholic, being also present. In the Infant School, two hundred and fifty children were seated in the gallery, maintaining a wondering silence at the visiters. This scene seemed to be one that especially moved the Queen's sympathies, and she showed her pleasure in a marked man- ner. In the Girls School, specimens of work and patterns were exa- mined with minuteness, and warmly praised. The girls sang "God save the Queen," in a manner described as "most sweet and impressive." In the Boys School, a class of fifteen was catechized by the masters in mental arithmetic and in Dr. Whately's Easy Lessons on Money-matters &c. Prince Albert watched their replies with interest, and complimented them on their proficiency and readiness. It being announced that her Majesty had desired that a week's holyday should be given the favour seems to have rendered the youths uproarious with delight. "As the Queen. withdrew, they fairly burst bounds, boys and girls alike, rushed down the steps of their respective porticoes, and flooding out upon the green' thanked their Royal visiter in a succession of cheers, which if not so loud and deep, were certainly as heartfelt as any which she has heard on the banks of the Liffey." Before the visiters left the Infant School, the Lord-Lieutenant formally introduced Dr. Murray and Dr. Henry to the Queen and Prince Albert. In the Girls School, Dr. Whately "took occasion to draw her Majesty's attention to the general lesson, inculcating charity and good-will towards all men, which was suspended on the wall." The Queen cast her eye over it, and then entered into animated conversa- tion with the Archbishop.

On the return to the Viceregal Lodge, an incident happened which had not been included in the programme. In Park Street," Mr. T. Nugent, a Guar- dian of the North Dublin Union, approached her Majesty's carriage, which was driving rather slowly, and exclaimed, Mighty Monarch, pardon Smith O'Brien!' Lord Clarendon rode up and pushed the intruder aside, and the carriage resumed its rapid pace.

On Wednesday, Prince Albert attended an inspection of all the cavalry regiments quartered in Dublin' in the Phoenix Park.

Soon after one o'clock, the Queen held a court and levee, at the Castle. Deputations with addresses were presented from the Corporation of Dublin, the University and Trinity College, the Archbishops and Bishops of the Irish portion of the United Church, the Archbishops and Bishops profess- ing the Roman Catholic religion in Ireland, the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, the Association of Non-subscribing Pres- byterians in Ireland, and from the Society of Friends in Ireland. The ad- dress of the University recalled to memory that "it was under the house of Brunswick that those great legislative changes were made which raised Ireland from the position of a dependent province, to be, as she stands at this day, a mighty and coordinate member of the United Em- pire." The Presbyterian address was more explicit on the topic thus al- luded to; promising that "we and our people will continue to support the legislative union of your Majesty's kingdoms." The address of the Pro- testant hierarchy spake with gratitude of the influence which the Queen's religious observances and domestic virtues were calculated to exercise on the high circles surrounding the Crown. That of the Roman Catholic hierarchy remembered that the Queen's "illustrious father was the warm advocate of civil and religious liberty, at a time when these blessings were denied to the great body of the people "; and assured her Majesty, from intimate knowledge of their devoted people, that their, flocks love their Queen, and pray God to pour down on her family the *best blessings of Heaven. The Non-subscribing Presbyterians offered their hearty support "to promote education without distinction of party or creed." The So- ciety of Friends, though restrained by their religious principles from uniting in some of the public "demonstrations of joy," yet "participated in

the satisfaction" afforded by the first visit of their beloved Sovereign: "we are sensible," they say, "of the privilege we enjoy in the protection of a

government administered under thy gentle sway." Sidtable replies were read by the Queen to each of the addresses. Those who had the privilege of the entree were first admitted. The Archbishop of Dublin and Arch-

bishop Murray, with several Bishops of both Churches,, were among this number. The general levee was then held, and was prodigiousay nume- rous; it is said that 1,980 names for presentation had been sent in on Tuesday morning, and that the whole number attending the levee was nearly 3,000, exclusively of the numerous deputations. The list of naval and military officers fills a column of the Times in close email type, that of the " Reverends " nearly another column, and that of the " Doctors " up- wards of two columns. The ceremony of receiving was not over till nearly six o'clock. When it had concluded, it is said that "her Majesty was heard to observe that she felt extremely wearied, though the proceed- ing MU on the whole most gratifying."

An eye-witness graphically describes the out-of-door effects.

"It would be difficult to say when the preparations for the levee really com- menced. Certainly, at the earliest hour of the morning, the state of the streets MS evidence that some great event was to take place. A wonderful cur- rent of men carrying japanned tan boxes of inscrutable shapes—square, round, triangular, and parallelogramio—set in soon after daybreak, which ran through the principal streets with increasing velocity till midday. Women and boys and haggard-looking mechanics, rushed about with bundles, parcels, and new baits, in wild excitement- The shops, with the exception of those in whose windows were to be seen glittering court dresses, were all closed; and for hours before the levee took solace, the streets were filled with an enormous multitude, which it re- quired the utmost efforts—and, between heavy hands and horses' heels, they were often very strenuous—of the mounted police to compress against the walls, so as to leave a passage clear for vehicles in the lines of procession. The Castle was in the thick of all the confusion. Towards the reception-room, was arrayed a fantastic combination—soberly attired Quakers, magnificent Town-Councillors Deputy-Lieutenants, Doctors of all degrees and of every coloured gown—shifting to and fro in the blaze of scarlet and blue from the uniforms of the military to that of the naval officers; the Protestant Prelates in their robes, headed by the Primate wearing the collar of St. Patrick, the deputation from Trinity College, Qoakers and Unitarians, the former with their hats on, and the Roman Catholic Bishops in black coats and purple stockings."

The preliminary inquiry into the Dolly's Brae affair by Mr. Walter Berwick has proceeded. Lord Roden and Mr. Beers have been anion the witnesses ex- amined. The evidence of Lord Roden was to the same effect as his statement in the House of Lords, with a point or two added. It seems that the person who had the interview with Lord Roden on the subject of the procession was Mr. Beers himself. Captain Fitzmaarice had requested Mr. Beers to use his influence to get the Orangemen to go by the new road; but Mr. Beers, as he afterwards told Lord Roden, answered that there would be no danger, and that it would be impossi-

ble to go the new road, "as there would be a split amongst them." When

Lord Roden stood at his door, the Orangemen passed in silence, as Lady Roden was an invalid. He had a badge upon him, and he sup- posed that some of the ladies of his family were also decorated. He took no measures to preserve the peace oc the 12th, as he thought the procession not cal- culated to frighten the Catholics. He had armed his Protestant tenantry on a former occasion; and he had twenty-four stand of arms in his house. His Ca- tholic tenantry were some of the best-conducted persons that could be; but he gave them no arms, lest they should be induced to connect themselves with the Riband Society. For the preservation of the peace in fature, and notwithstanding the excellent character of the Orange Institution, he thought that all processions should be put down effectually. Mr. Beers admitted in his examination the use of the words 'if blot it be," in reference to the affair of the 12th. A number of witnesses were examined to throw light on the commencement of the firing; but no certainty was arrived at—the evidence was flatly contradictory. On the 6th, the inquiry was adjourned sine die.