Orders have been received at Woolwich Dockyard to prepare for
the reception of the Queen and Prince Albert on Monday the 29th; that day having been fixed upon for their embarkation for Scotland. The Royal George yacht, commanded by Lord Adolphus Fitzclarence, will convey the Royal pair, accompanied by a variety of steam-ships and private yachts by way of escort.
The good folks of Scotland are agitated with multifarious specula- tions on the subject of the beatific visitation. It is said to be the Royal intention to land at Granton Pier ; and hence fierce contention on the part of Leith to draw the Monarch thither. Refiners on loyalty would secure the beloved Monarch a quiet drive by a circuitous route to Dalkeith, (where the Duke og Bucclench's mansion is preparing for her reception,) instead of Edinburgh's bustling streets : but a deputa- tion of the Town-Council have waited on the Duke of Bucelench, " to represent the subject "; and their wishes, said the Duke, should be conveyed to the proper quarter.
The Caledonian Mercury thinks that the Queen contemplates a most ingenious and delicate method of consulting the national regard for economy ; the Royal bonnet being the cardinal point of the manceuvre-
" We understand that her Majesty's visit to Scotland is intended to partake more of the character of a private and pleasurable tour than a state visit ; but, with that characteristic good feeling and regard for her subjects which the Queen so invariably displays on all occasions, we have reason to believe that her Majesty, in compliment to them, will hold a Dress-bonnet Drawing-room at Holyrood Palace during her sojourn with their Graces the Duke and Dutchess of Buecleuch. This arrangement is evidently prompted by a desire on the part of the Queen not to occasion her subjects the unnecessary expense of regular Court-dress, at the same time affording them the gratifying opportunity of paying their personal respects to the Sovereign."
Those, however, who necessarily have fine clothes on hand will not be disappointed of the opportunity for displaying them-
" Such noblemen and gentlemen as are entitled to wear uniform will appear in regimentals; and a strong muster may be expected of the Queen's Body Guard [or company of Archers] and of the Deputy-Lieutenants of Counties." The .Perthshire Courier announces other preparations and a spectacle- " The intelligence of the Royal visit to Drummond Castle has caused a great sensation in this district ; as, independent of the feelings of loyalty which will be gratified by a passing glimpse of our young Queen, the preparations for the suitable reception of the Royal party are likely to benefit in various ways this locality. In the first place, the noble Lord and Lady Willoughby have ordered two hundred of the finest-looking young men on their estates to be equipped in the clan tartan, at their expense, with full accoutrements. These are intended to exhibit a specimen of a Highland chieftain's following ; and as it is said there is not to be any gathering of the clans at Edinburgh, as on the occasion of the visit of George the Fourth, this is likely to be the first, if not the only oppor- tunity for her Majesty seeing a body of the Gad in their native dress, among their native mountains."
Another paper promises dainty sport for the gentle Victoria— "Her Majesty appeared delighted with the bagpipe music of the Seventy- second Regiment when sounded in the halls and on the slopes at Windsor Castle; but to hear the warlike, melancholy, or enlivening strains of that in- strument in perfection, it must be heard reverberated from the hills as the pipers walk at a distance through some lovely strath or glen. The season of the year selected by her Majesty will be found admirable for shinty-matches and Highland games, which will, there is every reason to believe, be got up in grand style, in Perthshire, for the entertainment of the Royal visiters; and probably deer-stalking in the forests of Breadalbane will afford a grand speci- men of the field-sports of Scotland."
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