POSTSCRIPT. SATURDAY.
The stately pageant of an installation in the Order of the Garter was performed at Windsor Castle yesterday, with unusual magnificence ; the candidate for investiture being Louis Philippe, King of the French. The scene was the Throne-room, duly prepared for the occasion. In a state chair sat Queen Victoria, in the mantle of the Order, its motto inscribed on a bracelet that encircled her arm, a diamond tiara on her head. The chair of state by her side was vacant. Round the table before her sat some ten Knights Companions of the highest rank. The purple velvet of the order was seen on all that group—the Queen, the Knights, the chairs, the table ; gold glowing at every turn, on robes and furniture. On the steps of the throne, behind the Queen's chair, were seated the high civil Ministers of the two Sovereigns and some officers of the French suite ; at the opposite end of the room were the Royal ladies and the two young Princes visiting at the Castle ; more remote around the room, the personal attendants and others, spectators of the ceremony. The Chapter constituted, a special statute was passed, dispensing with certain dilatory forms ; and the candidate was elected. The King, dressed in a uniform of dark blue and gold, was introduced by Prince Albert and the Duke of Cambridge, preceded by Garter King at Arms ; the Queen and Knights all standing. The Sovereign, in French, announced the election. The declaration having been pro- nounced by the Chancellor of the Order, the new Knight was invested by the Queen and Prince Albert with the Garter and the George, and received the accollade. Taking the King's arm, her Majesty conducted him, in state, to his own apartment.
Earlier in the day, the King received an address from Windsor Cor- poration ; who came, and were received, in state. In his reply to the address, Louis Philippe stuck to his pacific sentiments-
" The union of France and England is of great importance to both nations ; not from any wish of aggrandizement, however. Our view should be peace, while we leave every other country in the possession of those blessings which it has pleased Divine Providence to bestow on them. • • • France has nothing to ask of England, and England has nothing to ask of France, but cordial union."
After this, the party at the Castle took a carriage-drive about the neighbourhood.
At night, there was a most splendid banquet in St. George's Hall, to commemorate the installation ; one hundred guests sitting at the board, that groaned with dainties and all the splendid burdens of precious ores and jewellery.
The Duke of Devonshire has invited King Louis Philippe to Chats- worth ; but the invitation has been declined, as the King is obliged to leave this country on Monday.
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