'be Court.
Tax King of the French arrived at Windsor Castle on Tuesday. To account for his movements before his arrival, we must glance at the doings on the coast of France.
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The King, accompanied by Queen Amalie, Madame Adelaide, and the Due De Montpensier, with the Ministers Guizot and Mackau, and several other officers of state or in personal attendance on the King, arrived at Treport, from Eu, on Monday evening. The little town was illuminated and crowded for the occasion ; and the travellers were loudly cheered. Having taken an affectionate leave of his wife and sister—who, it is said, were affected even to tears—the King alighted from his carriage, and proceeded along the pier with his son and his suite. The pier was illuminated also to light him on his way, and in a peculiar manner : about fifty fishermen's wives, each armed with a large flaring flambeau, stood, marshalled with the regularity of soldiers, at measured intervals. The party went into a barge, and made for the Gower steamer ; which lay so far off that it took half an hour to reach it. As the King stepped on board, the whole of the vessel was instantaneously illuminated with blue lights, and several rockets were fired off. These signals were answered by other vessels. In about half an hour later, at eight o'clock, the Gomer, attended by other steamers, started for the English coast ; the Pluton being sent forward somewhat sooner, to harbinger the King's approach. The Gomer formed a fine sight in the surrounding darkness. It is described as " a large ship, carrying 24 guns, with a steam-power of 450 horses. With its saloon and cabins brilliantly lighted up, and with part of the masts illu- minated, it looked a magnificent object as it passed smoothly over the surface of the ocean in the midst of the stillness and darkness of night. At the stern were placed three large bright lamps, whose reflection was visible for some distance on the water, and which served as a guide to the steamers which followed." The other two steamers were the Cad- man and the Elan.
A t Portsmouth, the selected landing-point of the English coast, every- thing was done to give the illustrious visiter a striking reception. The two great ships of the line, St. Vincent, (120,) bearing the flag of Ad- miral Sir Charles Rowley, and Queen, (110,) were stationed at Spithead : e in a long line reaching seaward to the horizon, lay eight ex-
1 gun-brigs and a number of ships belonging to the Royal
uadron ; forming a tolerably large fleet, and constituting at e of signal-ships, and then, turning into the wake of the pa, an escort of honour. Soon after gun-fire on Tuesday salute was fired from the platform-battery, some Lords of ty having arrived; but it was generally assumed that Louis
Philippe had come, and the whole town was roused, people rushing into the streets in every part. "In less time than it would be supposed would be taken to dress, masses of people were to be seen rushing to the ram- parts in the hope of catching the first glimpse of the Royal visiter. The whole line along the platform-battery, the King's bastion, and further on towards the mouth of the harbour, was filled with these involuntary early risers, yawning in the intervals of their sudden fits of expectation, and many of them apparently so nipped by the keen air as to wish themselves fairly in bed again. The members of the Corporation were in a similar plight. The borough mace was to be seen elevated above an unsteady mace-bearer, looking in vain for a Mayor ; and the Mayor in like manner went off seeking the other members of the body cor- porate, who came and went in all directions but the right." At length that premature excitement was calmed. Somewhat after half-past six o'clock, the steamer Pluton entered the harbour ; and soon after, the most distant of the English ships fired a gun, announcing that the Gower was in sight. As it entered the waters of the great naval haven, the King of the French stood on its deck ; saluted, as he passed each vessel, with the lowering and hoisting of flags, manning of yards, and firing of guns, throughout the line of sailing-ships in the offing, at Spithead, and then by each of the great war-ships in harbour, including Nelson's old Victory ; numberless English vessels swelling the naval procession as it neared the shore. The scene was now most ani- mated: the majestic steamer, the graceful sailing-vessels, the flags waving in all directions, the smoke drifting away from the cannon-mouths, the roar of the artillery, and the cheering of the thousands that peopled the shore, filled the air with life and motion and with the sounds of gayety triumphant. The Mayor and Corporation stood at the Victoria pier, in their robes of Aldermanic red and Councillor black : as the Gomer approached, they entered some Admiralty-barges, and the steamer lay to in order to receive them on board. The Town-Clerk and other gen- tlemen had met the steamer early in the morning, bearers of a copy of the address to be presented to the French King, and of a request that he would receive it before reaching the quay of the Clarence Victual- ling-yard, which is beyond the civic jurisdiction. To receive the corporate body, the King went into the saloon, a chamber beautifully decorated with damask. The address of the Corporation, which was read by the Recorder, contained this allusion to the King's visit-
" We rejoice in the new wra it is calculated to form in the history of the two countries, and in the hope it affords of a more enlarged and general inter- course between them, which, under the blessing of Divine Providence, shall contribute to their mutual welfare, to the preservation of the peace of Europe, and to the advantage of every part of the habitable globe." The King replied in English, speaking with emphasis, especially in the allusions to peace- " It affords me particular pleasure to know that her most gracious Majesty your Queen has permitted you to present me with an address on my arrival on your hospitable shores. I have not forgotten the many kindnesses I received from your countrymen during my residence among you many years since. During that period, I was frequently pained considerably at the existence of differences and feuds between our countries. I assure you, gentlemen, I shall endeavour at all times to prevent a repetition of those feelings and conduct ; believing, as I do most sincerely, that the happiness and prosperity of a nation '
depend quite as much on the peace of those nations by which she is surrounded as on quiet within her own dominions. I was peculiarly gratified at being ho- noured with the presence of your beloved Queen in France during the last year; and it is a source of pleasure to be able to accept the kind invitation then given me to again visit those shores where I had been so generously treated many
years since. I hope, under the blessing of Divine Providence, that those kindly feelings will be long cherished between our nations, and tend to promote the happiness and prosperity of mankind."
His manner of receiving the worthy burgesses was such as to put them in an ecstacy of delight-
" His Majesty then conversed for some time with the Recorder and other members of the Corporation. M. Guizot and other members of the suite did
the same. Among the little incidents which occurred, were one or two which
marked the affability of the King, and his desire to put the members of the Corporation entirely at their ease. The Recorder is a very tall man, and his head now and then touched the beams under the roof of the deck. The King laughed; and, as if apologizing for the want of height between decks, said,' We did not allow for your wig.' Alderman Elyett, one of those present, asked to
have the honour of shaking hands with the King; on which his Majesty said, should like to shake hands with you all : I should like to know your namea.' His Majesty then asked the names of the Mayor and the Recorder; with both
of whom he conversed for a short time. He shook hands with every member of the Corporation; and to some of them who were slow in getting off their white gloves, he said, ' Oh, never mind your gloves, gentlemen.' Altogether, their
reception by the King seems to have been most gratifying to the Corporation. He exhibited the most marked desire to please. In the course of conversation with members of the Corporation, his Majesty alluded feelingly to his former visit to Portsmouth many years ago. He remarked that this was not the first
time he had been in Portsmouth. He remembered the 'Point,' the ' Sally- port,' the Fountain Hotel; and added, that he also remembered the Dockyard well, though it was then called the Naval College. When asked by the Re- corder to favour the Corporation with a copy of the reply he had made to the ad- dress, his Majesty said, with much feeling, ' I have no copy : my words are from my heart.' "
After the Corporation had retired, the King returned to the deck, and the steamer went on for the quay of the Victualling-yard; where it was moored, about half-past nine o'clock. The Victualling-yard had been specially prepared for the landing. All strangers were excluded. " The pier or jetty which runs out into the water from the front of the yard
was laid with crimson cloth down to the steps at the bottom. The sides
were covered with bunting, the Union Jack predominating. The large square in the centre of the yard was filled with troops of the Forty.-
seventh, Fifty-ninth, and Seventy-sixth Regiments ; who made a gang- way from the head of the pier to the outer gate of the yard. In the centre, the band of the Fifty-ninth played from time to time some very fine airs. The road, from the outer gate of the yard to the railroad sta- tion, was also lined with troops of the above-named regiments and the Royal Marines ; by which means a clear gangway was kept for the Royal party to pass to and from the station."
About half-past ten, Prince Albert, who had come from Windsor, travelling from Farnborough to Portsmouth by a railway special train, entered the yard, with the Duke of Wellington ; and briskly descend- ing to the water's edge, stepped into a barge, and boarded the Gomer. The Prince was dressed in black, with a white hat and black crape hat- band ; the Duke in a Field-Marshal's uniform. The Prince was recog-
nized as be stepped into the barge, and was loudly cheered. King Louis Philippe was on deck awaiting his arrival : eagerly advancing, he em- braced the Prince, and saluted him, in the Continental fashion, on each cheek. The Prince returned the Monarch's greeting with warmth, though restraining himself to the English modes. Seeing the Duke of Wellington, Louis Philippe seized both his hands, shook them cordially, and spoke with friendly earnestness. All this time, a band on board played "God save the Queen," and then the " Parisienne." The whole party moved towards the gangway ; where a friendly contest prevailed for a moment between the King of the French and Prince Albert, as to which should give precedence to the other. The Prince, however, was persevering enough to gain his point ; and so the King was the first to descend the gangway, followed by Prince Albert, the Due De Mont- pensier, and the Duke of Wellington. On the short trip from the steamer to the quay, the barge, full of illustrious personages, was saluted with a continuous roar of shouts and artillery. The King acknow- ledged these greetings : he took off his hat and bowed again and again to the spectators. His Majesty wore the uniform of a Lieutenant- General, blue with red facings ; and he also wore a blue riband. He looked remarkably well and animated, and had evidently suffered no- thing from his voyage. Arrived at the stairs, the Prince preceded the King, by his desire ; and as he passed on from the top bowed to the people. The King stepped quickly up the stairs, bowing also to the spectators ; and when he reached the top he turned round and bowed repeatedly on all sides, laying his hand on his heart. The rest of the party followed, and, entering carriages, they were all conveyed to the railway-station. It was decorated with evergreens and flags, and crowded with people, cheering lustily. The special train that bore the party to Farnborough was conducted by Mr. Locke, the Company's chief engineer, who displayed a decoration conferred upon him by the King for services in France. At Farnborough, a little trait of Louis Philippe's carefully considerate behaviour to all classes was observed and recorded : only a few persons had collected at that by-place, and the cheer they raised was feeble for want of voices ; but it was not slightingly acknowledged by Louis Philippe- " Pausing deliberately, hat in hand, and turning round to the position in which Mr. Locke, the engineer, was standing, he gave him a low bow ; he then bowed to the Directors, who were in waiting to receive his Majesty ; afterwards generally to those around; and then proceeded into the royal apartments. There was no hurrying, no shuffling in this proceeding : it was evidently the result of a correct notion of the attention which should be paid to all men who had done service to his Majesty, or who had come together to pay respect to him; and it was done in a manner which only enhanced the matter of the deed."
The travellers here entered the carriages sent from Windsor Castle, and proceeded thither at a rapid pace ; expedited by the relays of horses and of escort stationed along the road.
Queen Victoria stood ready in the grand vestibule fronting George the Fourth's gate, at ten minutes to two o'clock ; the Dutchess of Kent, several ladies, Sir Robert Peel, the Earl of Liverpool, Earl Delawarr, and other officers of the Household, being in attendance. So anxious was the Queen not to miss the first sight of her august visiter, that she had anticipated by some time the moment of his arrival. At a quarter past two o'clock the carriages drove up. Queen Victoria advanced to the threshhold, and in the most cordial manner extended her arms, whilst Louis Philippe and the Prince descended from the carriage. Their Majesties embraced most affectionately at the moment of meeting ; and the three principal personages advanced at once into the vestibule ; the French Monarch bestowing his cordial smiles and greetings upon Sir Robert Peel, the Earl of Liverpool, and others of the Royal House- hold with whom he was familiarly acquainted. The Due De Mont- pensier and Admiral De Mackau escorted the Dutchess of Kent ; and the Royal party, followed by the Ministers and suites of both the Monarchs, proceeded at once up the grand staircase. Turning to the left, the Queen conducted her guest to the apartments destined for his use—the splendid suite of rooms which had been the lodging of the Emperor Nicholas on his recent visit to Windsor. Here the Queen and Prince Albert left their guest to repose until the time for luncheon, three o'clock.
At eight o'clock, dinner was served in one of the Queen's private dining-rooms ; covers being laid for the principal persons of each suite. A band played in an adjacent room.
The Count De Sainte Aulaire, French Ambassador, and the Count De Jarnac, Secretary to the Embassy, were visiters at the Castle, as part of the King's suite. The Honourable Captain Duncombe was appointed Groom-in-Waiting on his Majesty.
Wednesday was comparatively a quiet day ; although the regal vi- siter was active in surveying Windsor Castle and its precincts. At three o'clock, the Queen issued from George the Fourth's gateway, resting on the arm of King Louis Philippe, accompanied by Prince Albert, and followed by a numerous party—French and English Minis- ters, members of the several suites, and other visiters at the Castle. In this order they promenaded for a time on the South and Eastern terraces ; went successively to see St. George's Chapel and Cardinal Wolsey's Chapel ; walked down the Home Park to the dairy, and looked at the aviary. The weather had now become bad; and, entering six pony- carriages and four, the party repaired to Frogmore Lodge, to visit the Dutchess of Kent. Her Royal Highness received them at the entrance. After remaining with the Dutchess for about an hour, the Queen and her companions returned to Windsor Castle, and the survey was re- sumed in-doors : attended by the Lord Steward, they viewed the prin- cipal domestic offices on the ground-floor—the kitchen, confectionary- room, gilt room, and others.
Meanwhile, the Due De Montpensier had gone to town. He left the Castle in the morning, in a carriage and four, for Slough, and came by the Great Western Railway to Paddington ; went to look at several public establishments ; lunched at the French Embassy ; and returned to Windsor to dinner.
In the evening, there was a grand banquet in St. George's Hall ; the magnificent service of gold plate being displayed on the occasion. The Queen sat at the North side of the table, with the King on one side and the Duke his son on the other; Prince Albert opposite, between the Countess De St. Aulaire and Lady Charlotte Dundas ; the Dutchess of Kent sat next to the King ; and among the guests, now swelled to a considerable number, there were, besides those already named as staying at the Castle, the Earl of Aberdeen, Prince Casteloicala, Lord and
Lady Wharneliffe, Lady Peel, and many others. Music was performed during the banquet by the band of the Scots Fusileer Guards ; and afterwards by the Queen's private band.
An excursion was made, on Thursday, to Twickenham, Hampton Court, and Claremont. For that purpose, the char-it•bane, given to the Queen by King Louis Philippe, stood at the grand entrance by a quarter to eleven o'clock, with four horses harnessed to it, and servants in scarlet liveries. It is a carriage like a van, with four seats placed athwart its length, and a roof supported on pillars ; homely in its general fashion, but beautifully fitted up, with gay linings and decorations. The Queen and King took the front seat ; next, the Dutchess of Kent and Duc De Mont- pensier; then Prince Albert and the Countess of Gaiosborough, Lady-in- Waiting ; and lastly, General Athalin and Count Dames, of the French suite. They went, by Staines and Sunbury Common, to Twickenham ; where they visited the house in which Louis Philippe had formerly lived while he was the exiled Duke of Orleans ; now occupied by the Earl of Mornington. From Twickenham they proceeded to Hampton Court ; where they viewed the public apartments, the gardens, and hot- houses, not forgetting the giant grape-vine. Thence they went to Claremont, and partook of a dejeuner. Returning by Frogmore, the Dutchess of Kent alighted at her own residence ; going back to the Castle later in the day.
On regaining the Castle, the party were received at the entrance by the Duke of Cambridge and the Hereditary Grand Duke of Meeklen- burg-Strelitz ; who had returned from the North to Kew on Saturday, and had now come to remain on a visit to the Queen, with their Dutchesses.
Dinner was again served in St. George's Hall, with the same magni- ficence as before, and a still increasing list of visiters. Among the new names, we notice those of the Belgian Minister and Madame Van de Weyer, the Duke and Dutchess of Norfolk, Lord Stanley, the Speaker of the House of Commons, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer.