Ebe 6pectator, Yung 25t1j, 1853
THE great military display at the camp at Chobham, on Tuesday, proved a perfect success. So long as her Majesty remained on the ground, even the weather was propitious. . . All the various roads leading to Chobham Common were choked up with carriages, equestrians of both sexes, and pedestr%ans. Omnibuses ran from all points South of London, charging enormous fares. At Chertsey, every kind of vehicle that could be picked up was hired; and, no matter how ricketty the carriage or the horse, the most extravagant prices were exacted. The rush was as great as on Derby day.... The Queen and Prince Albert, the King and Queen of Hanover, the Duchess of Kent, the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the Duke and Duchess of Saxe Coburg and Gotha, travelled to Staines by the South- western Railway. At Staines they alighted, and proceeded under an escort of cavalry to the Common; Queen Victoria passing through Port- nall Park, the seat of Colonel Challoner. As the carriage drove out of the Park, her Majesty's party were met by Lord Hardinge. Here the Queen mounted a black charger, richly caparisoned; and,,accom- panied by Prince Albert and the King of Hanover riding on either side, preceded by a detachment of Life Guards, and followed by a brilliant cortege of carriages, rode towards Magnet Hill, whereon is the royal pavilion. At half-past eleven the royal standard was run up the flagstaff, and a movement of the Life Guards at the extreme end of the road showed that the Queen had entered the encampment. Immediately, the brigades of infantry fired Itt' succession three vollies, from right to left, while the great guns of the artillery added their thunder to the roar of the musketry.
Previous page
