SCOTLAND.
The landing of the Queen at Aberdeen, on the morning of Friday the 8th, was a fine sight to the assembled inhabitants of that handsome city, and to many thousands besides, who flocked from the surrounding country far and near.
About balf-past eight o'clock, her Majesty and Prince Albert, with the Prince of Wales and the Princess Royal, appeared on the deck of the yacht; welcomed by a royal salute from a battery on the Inches, and the more gratifying sounds of the people's applauding voices. The Queen was con- ducted down the steps of the landing by Lord Adolphus Fitzclarence, having the Princess Royal in her right hand; Prince Albert following with the Prince of Wales and Prince Alfred. As her Majesty and the Prince passed through the royal arch and on to the crimsoned platform, they were received by the Lord Provost; the multitude cheering, and testifying ex- mberant delight. "The simple attire of the Queen," says the Times," the kindly glance of her eye, and winning smile which animated her counten- ance as she advanced, and, with his Royal Highness acknowledged the hearty and honest welcome which they had received Highness, the denizens of the far North, did more to establish the house of Brunswick in the hearts of he Scottish people than all the display of pomp and grandeur by which royal visits to this city were formerly distinguished."
On ascending Marischal Street, a magnificent prospect occurs, which the local journals describe with glowing eloquence. The cortege, after phasing out of Union Street, turned to the left, and went down Holborn Street to the Dee-side road; where the Magistrates and Town-Council took fare- well of her Majesty.
The Queen and Prince Albert proceeded on their route to Balmoral; passing through a triumphal arch at Holborn, and cheered by a multitude of people who had met to welcome her Majesty to the banks of the Dee.
In passing through Murtle, the procession was arrested by a pleasant in- cident. The Misses Thurburn appeared with fruit in baskets temptingly displayed: the Queen stopped, received the gift from the ladies for her children, and, inquiring the names of the donors, thanked them warmly, and passed on.
At Banchory, the road was spanned by several triumphal arches, pre- pared in the most various tastes. We borrow the eyes of a local reporter.
"On the first estate of the county on which her Majesty entered, viz, that of Mr. Kinloch of Park, there was erected, opposite his gate, a triumphal arch, sur- mounted by festoons of heather. Over the turnpike-road in the vicinity of Crathes, the seat of Sir T. Burnett, Lord-Lieutenant of the county, stood a royal arch, with pilasters at each side, all decorated with flowers and evergreens. At the en- trance to the beautiful village of Banchory was erected a triumphal arch of gi- gantic dimensions, composed entirely of heather, and surmounted by a figure of the British crown, 6 feet high by 5i feet wide, formed of dahlias of every variety, and other variegated flowers. The centre arch, and also the two side ones, were wreathed round with bouquets of flowers, and surmounted with two large banners, bearing inscriptions. At the West end of the village stood another triumphal arch, composed of evergreens and flowers, and surmounted by Princes' feathers, Union jacks, and two banners. In front of the Burnett Arms Inn, where the Royal party changed horses, spacious hustings were erected for the accom- modation of the gentry of the county. These were carpeted, surrounded with crimson cloth, and flanked at the corners with Union jacks. On both sides of the street, and a little to the Eastward of the inn, two large plat- forms were erected, capable of accommodating about 600 spectators, along with the Banchory band. At the distance of about 100 yards above the village, an arch was erected by Mr. Skene, a farmer, Kineskie. It consisted entirely of oats, barley, and wheat, so neatly arranged Lat the ears only were visible, and bore the motto Peace and Plenty.' About a mile and a half above the village, and close by the porter's lodge of Inchmarlo, another triumphal arch was erected, covered with heath, inlaid with moss, and festooned with flowers; and at the dis- tance of about a mile further onward, and in full view of the mansion of Blackball, stood another triumphal arch, erected under the auspices of Horatio Ross, Esq. This arch was composed entirely of stags' heads with splendid antlers. At each side of the arch was a pedestal, surmounted by two of the sons of Mr. Ross, in full Highland costume, and holding each a hound by the collar; and at the bot- tom of the pedestals were two Highlanders in their native garb, bearing a flagstaff and banner. Prince Albert, in passing Mr. Ross's arch of stags' heads, was heard to say, What a beautiful display !'"
The Queen drew up at the inn and was presented with a county ad- dress; Sir Thomas Burnett, the Lord-Lieutenant of Kincardineshire, being the spokesman of the assembled gentry. The weather having grown hazy, the carriage had been closed; but the Queen ordered it to be thrown open, " so as to gratify the anxious eyes of the spectators with a sight of their Sovereign ": the "anxious spectators" were of course delighted with the condescension, and the house of Brunswick again secured additional strength.
At twelve o'clock the travellers arrived at Aboyne. The party alighted here, remained for twenty minutes, and took luncheon ; Lady Aboyne at- tending on her Majesty. Banister was reached at half-past one. The gentry of the neighbour- hood had assembled in full Highland costume, and attracted the notice of Prince Albert while horses were changed: brief gossip on tartans and sects occupied the interval.
The remaining distance to Balmoral was rapidly traversed without inci- dent; the journey ending at a quarter to three o'clock. "At Balmoral itself there was nothing like ostentation. Indeed, beyond Crathie there was little interruption of the wonted solitude of the place. In the course of twenty minutes after the arrival of her Majesty, the detachment of the Ninety-third Highlanders who were present to receive her Majesty were on their way to their head-quarters, the old Castle of Braemar; and, beyond the servants and a few London policemen to warn off over-inquisitive in- truders, there was nobody left to disturb the privacy which the Royal party wish to enjoy." Balmoral Castle is a large house, of modern structure, situated on the South bank of the Dee, about fifty miles from Aberdeen. The house consists of a centre, square and lofty, and of two wings; projecting windows and bal- conies give an extensive and beautiful prospect. The rooms of the house are spacious and handsome, for a country residence, but not too many in number; and dressing-rooms are used as dormitories. The private rooms of the Queen and Prince Albert, and the rooms of the children and their attendants, lie in the East wing, looking down the Dee and towards the grand Highland outlines of Balloter. Adjoined to the Western wing is a conservatory, containing a good collection of exotics. Round the Eastern wing is a garden about an acre in size, planted chiefly with roses and an- nuals which are now in the full brightness of Autumn's last colouring. The house has been taken for the remainder of a lease of twenty-seven years, just as it was left on the death of Sir Robert Gordon: nothing but the or- naments and books have been removed; the pictures, belonging to Lord Aberdeen, remain on the walla.
The Lord Provost and Magistrates of Aberdeen gave a grand banquet, on Friday evening, in honour of the Queen's visit. Lord Adolphus Fitz- clarence, the Earl of Aberdeen, Lord Haddo, and Admiral Gordon, were among the guests. The healths of the Queen and Prince Albert were drunk with much warmth of feeling. The Provost said- " Whether viewed as the sovereign of a great empire, or as a lady conducting the affairs of domestic life, her Majesty affords a bright example to her subjects which exercises a most beneficial influence throughout the whole ramifications of society. Prince Albert is regarded with the -highest respect by us all, and the inhabitants of the country generally entertain the highest feelings of respect to- wards him, for many reasons. (Loud applause.) He has always exercised a sound judgment and wise discretion, in never having made any approximation to sympathizing with any particular party in the country; but ha hascontributed his countenance and aid on behalf of all our national institutions, whether of a literary or of a philanthropic mature; and I feel persuaded that you will join with me in wishing that he may be long spared to the country, continuing to contd. buts to her Majesty's happiness as well as to that of his now numerous and in- teresting family." (Loud cheers.)
The Earl of Aberdeen's health was drunk with marked personal respect. The Lord Provost said he could not forego a reference to his merits even in his presence-
" To his eminence as a statesman his kindness and liberality in the encou- ragement of the fine arts, and in support of the literary and benevolent institu- tions of our country. (Loud applause.) But I may be permitted to say, that, as the Lord-Lieutenant of the county, as an extensive proprietor, and as a kind and liberal landlord in every respect indulgent to his tenantry, I do not know where such another is to be found. (Loud and continued applause.) His Lord- ship, as we all know, is esteemed and regarded by the inhabitants of this large county in a very eminent degree." Lord Adolphus Fitzclarence assured the good citizens around him, that he had never witnessed a more joyous reception than they had given the Queen. It was their first reception, but be believed it would not be the last. Lord Adolphus excited much merriment by his explanation of the Queen's arrival twelve hours sooner than she was expected—" The fact was, I thought the desire of all of you to see her Majesty was so great, that to put you all at rest in that respect was the best thing I could do for you."
The Banshee, bearing Lord John Russell from Dublin, arrived at Gree- nock on Sunday afternoon. It appears that Lord John and his wife were put down, through the ignorance of the pilot, at a potato-quay, instead of the passengers' landing-place. The Premier found his way to the Ton- tine Hotel, unrecognized by any person of the town till he was nearly there. He remained till Wednesday at Greenock, visiting local lions; thence he went to Glasgow, and forward to Perth, on the same day.
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