4 MARCH 1854, Page 10

WAR PREPARATIONS.

Another body of Guards marched from London on Tuesday morning ; and the spectacle was still more remarkable than the starlight departure of the battalions last week. It consisted of the First Battalion of the Scots Fusileer Guards, under Colonel Dixon. The hour fixed for their departure from the Waterloo station was eight o'clock ; but the Queen having desired to see them, the hour was altered. Assembling in the yard of the Wellington Barracks, they marched to Buckingham Palace, and there drew up in line; an immense crowd cheering vigorously. At half-past seven, the Queen and the Royal Family appeared at the balcony. The troops presented arms, the colours were lowered, and the band struck up "God save the Queen." Her Majesty duly returned the salute ; and the battalion, shouldering arms, took off their bear-skin caps and gave three tremendous buzzes. From Buckingham Palace they marched to the Waterloo station, cheered by the most striking manifestations of popular good-will. The ranks were invaded by women and friends ; and the crowd which impeded the march had become so great when the soldiers reached the railway station, that they were compelled to enter in single file. When they reached Portsmouth, the men of two regiments, and the bands of three, forming a voluntary guard of honour, escorted them to the Simoom ; in which troop-ship they embarked at three o'clock. Next day the Simoom steamed off for Malta. Besides the Guards, the Rifle Brigade have sailed in the Vulcan, and the Ninety-third in the Himalaya. Before they embarked, the High- landers were inspected by Sir Harry Smith, and addressed by him in a brief energetic speech. The Thirty-third has sailed from Dublin in the Cambria. Other regiments are preparing to set out, and all the infantry regiments in the United Kingdom are under orders to prepare for foreign service.

Great attention has been drawn to the condition of the soldiers' wives left behind, and various schemes are on foot for their benefit. Some sub- scriptions have been raised. The Duke of Sutherland has sent 200/. for- the wives left behind by the Ninety-third.

Lord Raglan and Lord de Ros have been to Paris to confer with the military authorities there, and Sir Baldsein Walker to confer with the naval men of France.

The Duke of Cambridge was entertained by White's Club on Saturday last, The North Sea fleet is fast getting ready for sea ; none too soon, for the ice has already begun to break up in the Baltic. On Wednesday, Admiral Cony's squadron arrived at Spithead. On Monday, Sir Charles Napier hoisted his flag, blue at the fore, on board the Princess Royal, 91. He will finally shift to the Duke of Wellington. Commodore Michael Seymour, Superintendent of the Devonport Dockyard, has been appointed Captain of the Fleet. The victualling of the fleet commenced on Wed- nesday; leave of absence to the crews was prohibited ; and the work of storing and equipping for war began in every direetion. tinder Rear- Admiral Childs, the whole of the ships at Spithead have been practised daily in great-gunnery, and report speaks highly of their practice. The French fleet, lately equipped for sea, is shortly expected at Spithead; and. a review of the combined fleet by the Queen is talked of.