Zbe Gourt.
THE christening of the infant Princess, on Saturday, was accompanied with all the state ceremonial usual on such occasions. The Chapel at Buckingham Palace was brilliantly lighted by gas, "fitted up on Professor Faraday's principle of perfect ventilation." The altar was covered with crimson velvet, richly trimmed with gold; and in front stood the font, of silver gilt, placed on a fluted pedestal of white and gold. The general company arrived about ix o'clock; the Royal Family in about half an hour after. The representatives of the Foreign Powers wore their full diplomatic costumes; and the Officers of State appeared hi official full- dress.
Shortly before seven o'clock, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Bishops
of London and Norwich, the Reverend Mr. Courtenay, and the Reverend Mr. Howarth, took their stations at the altar. Then came the sponsors-- the Dutchess of Kent, as proxy for the Dutchess of Orleans, the Dutchess of Cambridge, and the Hereditary Grand Duke of Mecklenburg Strelitz. A grand procession followed; the Queen leading the Princess Royal, Prince Albert the Prince of Wales, and the Duke of Cambridge the Princess Alice. As the procession moved onwards, the band played the march in Handers Joseph, and continued till the Queen had taken her seat. The costumes are described as magnificent. " The Queen wore a dress of rich white satin, of Spitalfields manufacture, striped with silver, and richly trimmed with Honiton lace; a wreath of white roses studded with diamonds, in her hair; the riband of the Order of the Garter, and a splendid diamond George suspended. The Princess Royal and Princess Alice had white net dresses trimmed with Nottingham lace over white satin. The Prince of Wales wore a white Cashmere pelouse, bordered with silver. The infant Princess was dressed in a rich robe of Honiton lace, over white satin."
The baptismal rite was administered by the Primate. The Dutchess of Cambridge named the infant " Helena Augusta Victoria."* The "Jubi- late" was the composition of Prince Albert.
After the ceremony there was a banquet, and then an evening party.
The circle at Buckingham Palace was increased on Monday by the arrival of the King and Queen of the Belgians. On their arrival, they were visited by the DLitt:hese of Kent; and have since been engaged in receiving and paying a round of complimentary visits to their Royal relatives.
On Tuesday, the Queen, Prince Albert, and the King and Queen of the Belgians, went to the Italian Opera.
Prince Albert left London on Thursday, for Liverpool.
* The official writer of the Court Circular is at pains to instruct the public to pronounce the child's name with the emphasis on the first syllable—"Helena," not "Helena."
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