The French papers are filled with acemints of the preparations
for time reception of the Princess Helena of Mecklenburg, her progress through the come ry, and the marriage festivities. The Princess arrived at Mayence on the 4thu, accompanied by her mother the Grand Dutebees--
" The spot upon which they entered France was mailed by a triumphal arch, erected for the occasion, surmounting a usonograin of the names Helen and Ferdinanil. The arch was surrounded by tents; and these with a strung muster of the National Guards of Folbaeli, and other towns in the vicinity, n itli large detachments of cavally, infantry, aus: artillemy, who crowned the neighbunring heights, presented a magnificent cots)) d'irii tu the eye of the illustrious strangets, the effect of which was greatly increased by the acclamations of the assembled crowds, whose numbers amounted to :DAM and who rent the air with joyous shouts of welcome. A number of young ladies had here the honour to compli- ment her Royal Highness, and to present her with a wreath of flowers. The Duke de Choiseul, General Gourgaud, and General Jacquensinot, the Royal
Cu -kissers appointed to receive the Princess, were here introduced ta her by the Duke de Broglie, and were most graciously received by the Royal tra- vellers, who seemed both gratified and affected by the warmth of their reception."
Melun wits reached oil Monday, and at four o'clock on that day every thiug was in readiness for the arrival of the bride at Fontaine- bleau— " She came (says the Times' correspondent) in a state-carriage, drawn by eight post. horses ; and, though the cortege moved at a slow pare, it was im- possible for tue in the confusion to see her well enough to describe her accu- rately. She appeared pale and tired ((coin the journey, perhaps.) She has a longish face, is fair, and, I should think, rather tall. She saluted the people very graciously as she went along, and must have been well pleased with the reception. The spectators, from the highest to the lowest, were delighted with her, and observed that she would make a tine Queen. She wore a white satin hat and a rose. coloured gown. Seven other carriages formed her suite, and the whole was escorted by a large detachment of dragoons of the regiment in pleas in at Melun."
Some of the fine things the Princess is to have are set forth-
" The trousseau of the Princess Helen has been enriched by several presents from the Queen and Madame Adelaide. Among those from her Majesty, is a Cm:bemire shawl of matchless beauty, and Madame Adelaide has added a set of diamonds worth 100,000 francs. Among the innumerable articles destined for the toilet of her Royal Highness, there are no fewer than 180 varieties of gloves, some richly adorned with blonde and lace, and tissues of gold and silver, to match the dresses with which they are to be worn. Some have delicate bracelets of flowers, over which are to be clasped the more splendid parure en- riched with diamonds. Added to these are numerous boxes of mittens of an- tique black and white lace ; others display every variety of flower and orna- ment into %%hick gold tissue and tulle call be united. The corbel& do mariage was exhibited on s mobs at the anagaziue of M. Aucuc, Rue de la Pair, where the taste and richness displayed upon it excited unusual admiration."
Who wceild not marry a "son of France ? " There is of coin; some grumbling : all are not pleased ; and among the more noisy male_ contents are the innkeepers and lodgiughouse-keepers of Fontainebleau. The newsp timers, it seems, frightened people away, by representing the multitudes who would be there, and the extreme dearness of lodgings and provisions-
" The lod.:ings (and there is scarcely one house where a room or two have not been laid out fur the occasion) are beginning to fall in price, and apart- ments for which fifty and sixty francs per day were refused even on Sunday, were to be had on Monday at half that sum. The inukeepets, restaura- teurs, lodginghouse-keepers, &c. accordingly vow vengeance against the mauvaise presse, and the Siecle in particular, which journal will lose its numerous subsclibers in the town. On the other hand, the country-people, deceived by those same reports, have flocked in this morning from every direc- tion for several leagues round, in the hope of reaping an abundant harvest. They too have been disappointed in their expectations. Fontainebleau was never remembered to be so plentifully supplied with provisions; and the poor villagers, finting no sale for their vegetables fowls, and butter, part with them for a mere song, sooner than be obliged to take them back. Every article is to be had at a lower rate than in ordinary times."
On Tuesday forenoon, the Duke of Orleans and the Princess, with a superb cortege, took a ride in the forest of Fontainebleau. At six o'clock, 250 guests sat down to table in the gallery of Diana. At eight, the civil marriage was performed, in the presence of the muni- cipal authorities of Fontainebleau; Baron Pasquier, President of the Chamber of Peers, and M. Dupin, actin as witnesses to the act. This ceremony being over, the young couple, the Royal Family, and their guests, adjourned to Le Salle Louis Philippe ; where M. Cuvier mars ried the Doke and Dutchess according to the rites of the Lutheran church. They then repaired to the Catholic chapel of the Rely Trinity, in which the Bishop of Meaux gave them the nuptial benedic- tion. There was afterwards a grand reception in the King's apart- ments, and the evening closed without even a ball.
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