25 AUGUST 1855, Page 2

tutu Virtnriato Pisa in Vulg.

Tim Queen left Osborne at half-past four on Saturday morning, and arrived off Boulogne about half-past one. The Victoria and Albert car- ried the royal standard at the main, the tricolor at the fore, the union jack at the bows, and the royal ensign at the stern. The escort squadron also hoisted the national flags, and the ships "dressed" to receive the Queen. As the Victoria and Albert appeared in eight, cannon fired from Capecure ; the English squadron gave forth the royal salute ; and long lines of infantry on the heights sent forth a roll of musketry. But the throng of people was more remarkable than the military spectacle. The royal yacht crossed the bar at a quarter to two, and drew up alongside of the pavilion erected on the quay. Here the Emperor awaited his guests; and a stage being thrown from the quay to the ship, he quickly ran up the platform, and, after kissing her Majesty's hand, he saluted her on both cheeks. Then he shook hands with Prince Albert, the Princess Royal, and the Prince of Wales ; and, giving his hand to the Queen, con- ducted her to the pavilion ; where she received the civic authorities and the English residents. After this ceremony, the Queen's party entered the carriages awaiting them ; and as they drove to the railway station, the Emperor mounted his horse, and rode, as captain of the guard, at her Majesty's right hand, Marshal Magnan taking the left. Our Queen wore a blue satin visits and white bonnet : the Emperor appeared in the uni- form of a general of division, with the grand cordon of the Legion of Honour ; while Prince Albert wore the uniform of a Field-Marshal and the blue riband of the Garter. The railway station was a triumph of upholstery—all bedecked with silk and velvet flags, gilding, flowers, leopards, bees and eagles, "regardless of expense." The party occupied nine carriages, and started at half-past two. At Abbeville, the Mayor presented an address ; at Amiens, the daughter of the Prefect gave the Queen a nosegay ; and after this the train sped away with great rapidity, and arrived in Paris at ten minutes past seven. It may fairly be said that all Paris was astir and in the streets from mid-day. Throughout the entire route from the Strasbourg terminus to St. Cloud, there were lines of human beings—in the streets closely pack- ed, on the houses, in the houses, massed along the avenues of the Champs Blythe and the Bois de Boulogne. And besides the enormous masses of people of all classes, dressed in all kinds of costumes, it is calculated that there were 200,000 men of the Line and the National Guards under arms, presenting a double line of soldiers five miles long. In some places were workmen ; in others rows of elegantly-dressed women ; in others depu- tations. The colours of the dresses, the glitter of the arms, the display of splendid upholstery along the whole route, and above all the number- less crowds, formed a series of spectacles described as unequalled. At the terminus were gathered a strange collection : Lady Cowley, and a kind of Court circle of Parisian dames ; a group of cantinieres of the Guides ; Marshal Magnan and his staff ; Major-General Torrens ; Prince Na- poleon, carefully exhibiting the appearance and " costume " of the Great Emperor "; two English officers, and a representative of every arm in the French service ; besides a group of civilians—the di- rectors and some shareholders of the railway. The weather had been brilliantly fine ; the crowds had been hours in the sun ; the day was drawing to a close before the signal was given of the arrival of the train. As the engine slowly entered the station, the band of the Guides played " God save the Queen," and a royal salute closely followed, But when the Emperor appeared, leading the Queen, followed by Prince Albert and the children, a great shout, taken up outside, arose ; some crying " Vivo la Rehm !" " Vive rEmpereur !" others "Vivat !" and here and there a hearty English " Hurrah ! " Having entered the carriages, the Royal party proceeded on their way, through the thickly-peopled Boulevards, resound- ing with acclamations. As they approached the Arc de Triomphe, the route was suddenly illuminated ; and as they passed through the Bois de Bou- logne the outriders carried torches, which gave a very picturesque air to the procession. Finally they arrived at St. Cloud ; where the Empress and Count Welewski received the Queen.

It is remarked by the correspondents that the Queen looked remark- ably well, and made a very favourable impression on the Parisians.

On Sunday the Queen rested at St. Cloud. The Chaplain of the Bri- tish Embassy performed divine service in the forenoon in the afternoon the Emperor and his guests drove in the Bois de Boulogne ; and after a a dinner en famille, there was a concert of sacred music in the Palace, executed by the Conservatoire de Musique. Monday's amusements were also in accordance with the published programme. Breakfast at St. Cloud was followed by a visit to the Exposition, for the purpose of in- specting the Palais des Beaux Arta. The Queen was received by the Im- perial Commissioners, headed by Prince Napoleon, the Foreign Com- missioners, and the Jurors—our own countrymen mustering in consider- able force. The Emperor conducted the Queen, and Prince Albert his elder children. There was a large crowd in the place, separated from the Royal party only by the French police. At one moment, indeed, when Prince Albert had lingered behind, the crowd intervened and separated them from the Queen. In the order of their pro- ceeding, they first inspected the German pictures, under the guid, ance of Dr. Waagner ; next the Belgian paintings; -then the French works of art, Horace Vernet and Ingres having each a saloon to himself; and lastly the exhibition of English paintings. Having gone through all the rooms, and up-stairs and round the galleries, the Queen returned to the central room and looked once more upon the French works. At one point in their course through the building they stopped to listen to a choir of trained workmen who sang "God save the Queen. From the Exposition, loudly cheered on their way, the Royal party went to lunch at the Elyse° ; and after visiting "La Sainte Chapelle," they returned to St. Cloud, at half-past five o'clock. In the progress through the streets and Boulevards, immense numbers of the population—" all Paris" in fact—were present. The route traversed afforded the Parisians every opportunity of making up for the disappointment of Saturday ; including as it did a view of the H8tel de Ville, of the Quartier St. An- toine, the Place de la Bastille, and the whole line of the Boulevards. In the evening sixty guests sat at the dinner-table at St. Cloud. A list of their names is given— "The Queen, the Emperor, the Empress, Prince Albert, his Royal Highness Prince Adalbert of Bavaria and his two Aides-de-camp, Prince Napoleon and an Aide-de-camp, Marshal Magnan, the Duke de Cambaceres, M.. Fould, M. Abatucci, Count Walewski, M. Troplong, M. Billault, M. de Morny, the Marquis d'Espeuilles, Prince de Wagrem, Duke de Plaisance, General Baron Renault, General Grosbon, the Marquis of Breadalbane, Lord Abercorn, the Earl of Clarendon, Lord Cowley, Lord A. Paget, Honourable Colonel Phipps, Honourable Major-General Grey, Lieutenant-Colonel Bid- dulph, Sir James Clarke, General Rollin, General de Cotte, General de Montebello, Colonel Fleury, Count Bacciocchi, the Marquis de Belmont, Viscount Walsh, Baron de Montbrun, Baron Morand, Colonel Valabreque, Marquis de la Grange, Count Charles de Teacher, the Princess Mathilde and one of her Ladies of Honour, Madame Magnan, the Baroness de Cam- baceres, Madame Fould, Baroness de Basilan°, Countess Walewski, Madame- Troplong, Dowager-Duchess de Vicepce Marquise d'Espeuilles Princess do Wagram, Lady Cowley, Lady Ely, Lady Churchill, Miss Bulteel, Princess d'Essling, Marquise de las Marismas, Madame de Smiley, Countess de Bey- neval, Countess de Labedoyere."

On Tuesday, at the early hour of ten o'clock the Royal party set out for Versailles.

"The drive is one of extraordinary beauty, diversified by a noble variety of perspective. Now in the secluded avenues of the park round St. Cloud, now emerging on the highway which passes through the picturesque town of Avmy, now winding along the banks of the Seine, with tall poplar-trees casting their shadows across its bosom now plunging into the forest and from its crest descending into the well-wooded valley in which Louis le Grand built his world-famous palace,—here of itself was a rich treat alike for prince or peasant in such a morning's excursion. The inhabitants of the neighbourhood of course turned out to pay their unpretending homage, and the Ville d'Avray was decorated in a very simple but most effective manner with flowers and evergreens. The town of Versailles, usually so dull and stupid, looked quite gay and lively. A grand triumphal arch had been constructed at the Eastern end of the great avenue by which the palace is approached, and along its course a great abundance of flags tastefully ar- ranged were displayed."

In strict privacy they traversed the state apartments ; then, returning to their carriages, drove through the stately gardens, and round the won- derful fountains.

"As the imperial cortege passed slowly down towards the Tapia Vert, an admirable opportunity was afforded the public of seeing their royal visitors; of which, it must be confessed, they were not slow to avail themselves. Those who were in the garden scrambled up the embankment, reckless of the damage they were doing to the beautiful flowers ; and those who had hitherto reposed comfortably under the great trees of the park came running in from every quarter, endeavouring to get a nearer view, to wipe their foreheads, and to cheer vociferously, all at the same time. Her Majesty seemed pleased, and bowed frequently and gracefully to the crowd ; and the Prince of Wales enjoyed the scene highly,—as, indeed, he has enjoyed everything since his arrival in Paris. He rushes up the various grand stair- cases of the show palaces, scorning the offered help of the maids of honour, and yesterday evening made a tour of the city incognito, a la Haroun Al- raschid ; the Emperor eror himself performing the part of his faithful Vizier. . . After examining every object of interest in the immediate neigh- bourhood of the palace, the illustrious party proceeded to the Trianon, and explored that also. There they were joined by her Majesty the Empress ; whose delicate state of health does not permit her to take any very promi- nent part in the present festivities of the Court. She and the Emperor, ac- gompanied by their royal guests, now withdrew to the chalet behind the Trianon ; where, in perfect retirement, they had coffee served to them on the grass. The pretty chalet, with its adjoining sheet of water and mill- wheel, appeared to take the Queen completely by surprise ; and her gratifica- tion and that of the Prince were still greater when the splendid band of the Guides made the air of this sweet spot resound with the choicest music."

Returning to St. Cloud at four o'clock, the Emperor and his guests dined en famine. This night they went in state to the Grand Opera ; passing thither between a double row of illuminations. The exterior of the operabouse was also splendidly lighted up, and no expense spared in display.

The Emperor's box was erected in the grand tier directly opposite the stage ; and on either side of it stood, like a statue, a soldier of the Cent- Garde, en grande tenue,—superb-looking fellows, as superbly dressed and equipped. Two others stood sentry on the stage at either wing. The pit was entirely filled with gentlemen in full evening costume; and the stalls and tiers of boxes resembled so many parterres of rare flowers from the amount of beauty exalted by the highest triumphs of the toilette with which they overflowed. When the Emperor and Empress, with their guests, entered, the whole home rose to receive them ; and from that brilliant assemblage our Queen met with a reception worthy of those who gave and of her who was the object of it. The enthusiastic plaudits had hardly subsided when the orchestra began to play the National Anthem, and at its close the cheering was renewed and long sustained. Her Majesty gracefully acknowledged these tokens of the high favour with which she is regarded by the upper classes in Paris. She was tastefully but simply dressed, and wore the riband of the Garter, and on her head a tiara of dia- monds. She sat on the right hand of the Empress, having the Emperor on her right, and looked remarkably well ; on the right hand of the Emperor was the Prince Napoleon, and on the left of the Empress Prince Albert, who again had the Princess Mathilde on his left. The Emperor wore the riband of the Garter also, and, as usual, ap- peared in the uniform of a general of division. Prince Albert displayed the insignia of the Legion of Honour over his Field-Marshal's uniform. The Empress wore a magnificent tiara of diamonds; and her delicate but beauti- ful features were the theme of general admiration. The Royal and Imperial personages seated in front, with the Maids of Honour standing behind them, formed together a group which was at once historical and dramatic." Another enthusiastic correspondent says—" Her Majesty looked remarkably well, and in excellent spirits. She talked a great deal to the Emperor in the course of the evening. Her unaffected good humour' and the ease, simpli- city, and dignity of her manners, charmed all beholders. There is an indescribable fascination in her smile, which sheds gladness around

her. The geniality of her nature was visibly reflected in the usually impassible features of the Emperor. When he spoke to her his eyes sparkled with unwonted brilliancy, and a smile curled about his lip. In that countenance, so difficult to read, one might plainly see, mixed with an un- feigned deference and respect for his illustrious guest, a sentiment of intense self-satisfaction at having gained a great political point at which he had long been aiming—the presence of the Queen of England in the capital of France. The Empress, I regret to say, looked very delicate. She spoke but little either to the Queen or Prince Albert, and seemed to suffer from fatigue." The performance was of a miscellaneous character. Cruvelli and Al- boni were the chief vocalists, and Rosati was the principal figure in the ballet.

The great work of Wednesday was a long visit to the Exposition. Es- corted by the Emperor, and guided by Prince Napoleon, the illustrious guests wandered for three hours through the courts of the Palace of In- dustry; resting only for one brief moment, to take refreshment, when the greater portion of the sights had been seen. Much time was spent in the Pavilion de Panorama, with its unrivalled collection from the esta- blishments at Sevres, Gobelins, and Beauvais ; its hangings, carpets, and tapestry, from the looms of Aubusson, its gold and silver work, and, above all, the crown jewels of France placed in the very centre of the pavilion.

"The Queen examined for a long time and with the liveliest curiosity the imperial crown and the immense number of splendid jewels by which it is surrounded. The former is of exquisite design and workmanship—a diadem in the true sense of the word, and surmounted at the apex by the Regent diamond, which, though somewhat smaller, seems to be a far more brilliant stone than its rival the Koh-i-noor."

Leaving the Exposition, the Emperor took his guests to lunch at the Tuileries, and thence they returned to St. Cloud. Here they dined; and in the evening the troupe of the Gymnase performed the "File du Fa- mile."

Thursday opened with a visit to the Exposition from Prince Albert, accompanied by Prince Napoleon. Then, after luncheon at the Tuileries, the whole party went to the Louvre. But the chief event of the day was a ball at the Hfltel de Ville' given ostensibly by the Prefect of the Seine. "The greatest triumph of French decorative art which her Majesty has yet Been," the Morning Chronicle correspondent reports, "was reserved for the Hotel de Ville, prepared for the ball last night. I have witnessed all

the grand fetes which have given at the Hotel de Ville for some years

past, but the one which was yesterday immeasurably surpassed in

magnificence any that had gone before it. The gorgeous coup (roil of the numerous company the floral decorations, the rich draperies, the brilliant lights, the murmuring cascades, the ceaseless jets d'eaux, and the exquisite Paintings of the splendid sidles, are matters which the pencil of the painter could not fairly represent, and which it is impossible for the pen of a writer adeguately to describe." The Imperial and Royal party entered the Intel de Ville about nine. The Queen and the Emperor, Prince Albert and the Princess Mathilde, Prince Napoleon and Lady Cowley, Prince Adalbert of Bavaria and Ma- demoiselle Hausmann, formed the quadrille at the opening of the ball. Several Arab Sheiks were presented to the Queen when she took her seat. Having walked through the apartments, her Majesty departed at half- past eleven o'clock, and returned to St. Cloud. Yesterday, the Queen made her second visit to the Exposition ; lunched at the Ecole Militaire ; and at five o'clock witnessed a review of 45,000 soldiers in the Champ de Mars. The Queen drove on to the ground with

the Empress, in an open carriage; followed by the Emperor, Prince Al- bert, Prince Napoleon, and the Prince of Bavaria, on horseback. When the troops defiled, the two ladies viewed the spectacle from the balcony of the Ecole Militaire. The evening was devoted to the Opera Comique.

This terminated the publics life of Queen Victoria in Feria, according to the programme : what remains, before the departure, is devoted to the forest of St. Germaine, family sociality, and "rest."