The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1855-08-21 00:00:00

1 TILE QUEEN'S VISIT TO FRANCE.
41.

ON Saturday morning at half-past four o'clock the Victoria
and Albert royal yacht, with the Queen and Prince Albert,
the Prince of Wales, the Princess Royal, and the members of
the Royal suite, left Osborne for Boulogne-sur-Mer. She
passed Cowes at 6.10., Beachy-head at 8.45, Dungeness
at 11.25, was sighted at Boulogne about 12.30, and
arrived off Boulogne about half-past one. A mist
overspread the channel early in the morning, but it cleared
away as the day advanced. When the royal yacht had
steamed to within about four miles from Boulogne, Captain
Smithett, who piloted ,her, waited a few minutes either for
the tide or for the arrival of the steamers forming the Royal
escort, or for both, and then the Victoria and Albert, con-
spicuous by her three masts, her great size, and fine pro-
portions, steamed majestically for the harbour. She carried
the Royal standard of England at the main, the tricolor
at the fore, the union jack at the bows, and the royal
ensign at the stern. The English men-of-war forming the
squadron of honour were drawn up outside the harbour, and
formed an imposing spectacle. Each ship had the British en-
sign and the tricolour floating at the main, and each gave in-
numerable flags to the wind. At 25 minutes past one the first
note of welcome was given by the sharp ring of a brass gun at
the battery on the Capecure side, and one after another the
Royal salute came distantly booming upon the ears of the Royal
visitors, who could now distinctly see from the deck the fine
cathedral-like dome of the church in the Upper Town, and the
clean stone houses of the Haute Ville. The English men-of-
war now took up the mimic thunder, and broadside after
broadside pealed from them. The ships were soon enveloped
in smoke, and when it had cleared away and the Royal yacht
had neared the squadron every ship appeared with manned
yards. As the Victoria and Albert drew still nearer to the
shore a long dark streak was seen stretching along the heights
for miles to the right and left of the town, Then wreaths and
puffs of smoke, the gleam of bayonets, and, by and by, the dis-
tant rattle of musketry converted the long dark streak into
lines of French soldiery. The Emperor arrived at six o'clock
the 'evening before from Paris. He had but two carriages in
his suite, lied was attired in plain clothes.
It wastexpected that the Empress would have accompanied
him, but it appears that she was prevented in consequence of
a temporary delicacy of health. On the previons evening
twenty-eight horses and three earriages'orthe Emperor arrived
at the Hotel du Nord. One of these carriages was particularly
remarkable for its beauty and magnificent appointments. It
Was one built especially for 'the Queen's useduring her sojourn
.in France. It is a most 4niqtie vehicle, ei peculiar elegance
•and lightness, lined with White satin, and with hangings of
gold. The harness belonging to it is profusely ornamented
with appendages of the same precious metal.
The quay and every part of the route to the railway station
presented the most picturesque and animated appearance this
morning. The'temporary pavilion -erected for the reception of
Her Majesty on her landing was truly magnificent in its deco-
rations. The Douane, or Custom-house, was thickly hung
with the flags Of both countries, ranged with exquisite. aste and
studded with numerous devices. The hotels and ether houses
had also flags and various decorations, and were tastefully de-
corated with laurel and evergreens.
When the Royal yacht crossed the bar, at 15 minutes 'to
two, loud•hurrals broke from the crowds upon the left jetty.
On the tight jetty, along the lower stage near the water, was
one unbroken line of French infantry, who presented arms as
the Royal •yacht passed. Bands of music were -stationed at
intervals on both sides of the jetty, and the wonderfully-spi-
rited -end vigorous rollof the French drums was continuous.
The -spectacle was new extremely striking. The quay con-
tained tri immense multitude. Tricoloured flags and British
ensigns waved in profusion from every house, and the whole
port *as gay with-streamers, flags, and garlands. Every win-
dow had its group of fair spectators. Opposite the Dep6t de
Bagages was seen a square pavilion or small temple-like edifice,
-open at the sides, and decorated in the style of the loggie of
:the 'Vatican, which, as it appeared the most conspicuous ob-
ject along the quay, was correctly supposed to be the place
where the Emperor awaited the arrival of his Royal visitors.
As soon as the Victoria and Albert drew alongside this pavi-
lion, Her Majesty appeared at the ship's side, and gracefully
acknowledged the salutations of the Emperor. A stage was
thrown on hoard, the Emperor quickly ran up the platform,
and, after respectfully kissing Her Majesty's hand, saluted her
upon both cheeks, according to Imperial and Royal etiquette
and the theory which presumes thattrowned heads stand in
sacred ark fraternal relations to each other. The Emperor
then cordially shook hands with Prince Albert, the Princess
Royal, said the Prince of Wales, and, giving his hand to
the Queen, led her down the stage to the pavilion, within
which state chairs were placed on a dais, and here Her
,Majesty, seated, received the congratulations of the civic
authorities and the English residents.

DEPARTURE FROM BOULOGNE.
After a brief pause, her Majesty was handed by the Em-
peror 'into the carriage he had placed at her service. The
Queen and the Princess Royal occupied seats with their backs
to 'the horses, his Royal Highness Prince Albert and the
Prince of Wales sitting opposite. The Emperor having then
mourted his horse, rode upon the right of the carriage. On
theileft rode Marshal Baragenty d'Hilliers, and a little in the
rear General Schramm, ColonerFleury, and a brilliant staff of
officers.
:The Earl of Clarendon and'the ladies and gentlemen in her
Majesty's suite occupied the other carriages in waiting.
':The Imperial and Royal cortege then moved off at rather
welow pace at a quarter past • one o'clock, and arrived at the
railway station at about 20 Minutes past one o'clock.
At the spectacle of the Emperor himself forming a part of
' Eer Majesty's escort and guard of honour, the acclamations of
'the multitude were redoubled.: nd cries of " Vive la Reine 1"
and "Vive l'Empereur .1" were mingled with the cheers of the
English spectators. The road was kept by French infantry,
whose drums and bugles made military music as the royal
cavalcade slowly proceeded through dense crowds to the rail-
'eray station. Her Majesty, who appeared to be in excellent
;thealth and spirits, acknowledged in the most gracious manner
-the • vivats of the people. The Queen wore a white bonnet
:and blue satin visite, and .Prince Albert a field-marshal's
mniforni, with the blue riband of the Garter. The Emperor'
,wore the uniform of a general of division, with the grand
:cordon of the Legion of Honour.
The preparations made at the railway station at Capeeure
,to do honour to the Royal guests were on a scale of surpassing
magnificence. Two lodges were constructed at the entrance
•of the station, and between the:lodges a triumphal arch, 75
leet high, upon a scale of imposing grandeur, was con-
-structed. The lower part of thisecev de triomphe was of open
gilt lattice-work, 40 feet high, and adorned with flowers
and evergreens tastefully disposed. At the spring of
-the arch was a green scroll, with the words, " Welcome to
sinecaviriinpitair. waved
Th
ed
w side Trance" in large gold letters. The arms of England and
'Trance rose above the scroll, and a- colossal figure representing
The flags
bsyo sfidEeug,
and
shields,
the Genius of Civilization held aloft a scroll with a suitable
andds,Fbraannncee,rsTu,
ermkbeylazanond.
meats, streamers, and ^Hazels of lowers were distributed
through'the various compartments of the gigantic structure.
How can one describe the marquise, with its roof of velvet,
its fine curtains of red velvet, its six ;candelabra entwined and
overflowing with flowers, its exquisitely designed carpet—but
a carpet not worthy, as it should seem, of such visitors, for it is
-covered with velvet where they are to :walk ? The reception
room was a wonder of French upholetery. Its walls hung
witlprieh red velvet, strewed with spangled bees and leopards,
thee openings -covered with muslin curtains and velvet hang-
ings with golden acorns—its tribunes severed with velvet and
embroidered with coate of arms—its twelve huge vases of
flowers suspended from the ceiling, and its one magnificent
flower vase in the centre, its richly-designed carpet covering
the whele,spece must in turn give place to:the marvels of the
Queen's reception-room, with its door lined ,within with white
velvet, its walls of red and white silk hangings crimped ; its
nairrors,;tcaet tablesecouebes, sofas, and chairs disposed with
that taste and eye to ensemble which made the spectators
wonder whether Parisian taste in decoration „could greatly
transcend the splendours of the Boulogne railway station.
At halfepast two o'clock thetrain, containing nine carriages,
glided noiselessly from the station, amid a salvo of artillery.
Montreuil was the first station decorated in honour of the
visitors. At -Abbeville, the fine cathedral of which is seen
from the station,-mesiderable preparations were made to do
fish
honour to the guests o e Emperor. Two thousand cavalry
and infantry were drawn in view of the railway station, at
the entrance of which was large inscription, " Welcome to
France," surmounted by an eagle and surrounded by flags.
The Mayor and civic authorities of Abbeville awaited the
arrival of the train at .the pletform and proffered their con-
gratulations which were received and acknowledged in a man-
that won the hearts of all Abbeville. After clearing the rail-
way station, the tower of 4the cathedral again came in sight,
and the graceful fringe of trees on both 'hanks of the river
could hardly fail to be admired. The country here is richly
wooded and picturesque, and groves of trees- and wooden slopes
give place to cornfields. Up to this point the country had
;been smiling, not ta say laughing, with plenty. Fields of
ece-n, like "golden shields cast dawn from the sun," bad waved
,in rich luxuriance, awaiting the tardy reaper. The scenery
then changed to cattle-bearing meadows and the region of the
willow and pollard, while villages of thatched cottages em-
bowered among trees with a low-spired church in the middle
were.s4n, and passed as soon as -seen; and while looking at
these changes of the railway phantasmagoria the train arrived
at Amiens.
Here-the magistracy of the district were assembled, and the
daughter_cf the Prefect, an interesting young lady of seventeen,
habited in _white, approached the royal carriage, and timidly
but gracefully presented to the Queen .a splendid bouquet,
which Her Majesty received with more than queenly courtesy.
The progress of the train was exceedingly rapid after leaving
Amiens, and the royal party arrived safely at ten sninutes past
seven o'clock at Paris, the journey having been performed in
fixer hours and a half.
ARRIVAL IN PARIS.
Instead of alighting at the station of the railway by which
she travelled to Paris, -the Queen was conveyed to the ter-
minus of the Strasbourg line, as best adapted by its architec-
ture for adding to the ceremonial effects of a grand reception.
Had it been necessary to make the circuit of Paris to gain
that object, no doubt it would have been accomplished, and
the same studious attention to whatever could give increased
lustre -to the occasion was perceptible in
i all the arrangements.
The interior of the station presented a most magnificent
appearance as the illustrious visitors paned through. Upon
one side was an elegant estrade of the choicest and richest
flowers, and the whole of the distance on the right of the
station along vehicle her Majesty passed was one mass of
flowers. At the end of the station there was a large square
space, covered with a magnificent carpet of enormous dimen-
sions, around the sides of which ranged a number of ban-
quettes, covered with velvet and embroidery, for the ladies
who were honoured with invitations to witness the reception.
The sides of the station, up to the first floor, were hung with
crimson velvet, embroidered with bees and stars. There were
the Imperial arms of England and France richly gilt, em-
blazoned shields bearing the arms of the towns of France, gar-
lands of flowers suspended from the roof, and eagles with ex-
tended wings, bearing on them the monogram of Her
Majesty, and trophies and banners were profusely distributed
over the whole of the splendid hall. The exterior of the sta-
tion was ornamented with the arms of the empire, trophies,
medallions with the Royal and Imperial cyphers, and flags
and banners without number.
As Her Majesty, leaning on the arm of the Emperor, and
Prince Albert, leading. the Princess Royal, passed through the
elegant salon, the ladies gracefully curtseyed, and evinced the
most intense anxiety, not merely to gratify their curiosity by
seeing the Queen, but also to testify the cordiality of their
welcome. The Princess excited great interest, and her grace-
ful appearance and gentle demeanour were the theme of un-
bounded admiration.
Descending the steps of the station, Her Majesty, the Em-
peror, Prince Albert, and the Prince of Wales entered the first
carriage, an elegant open barouche drawn by four horses, and
preceded by outriders and an escort of Guides. The second
carriage 1,9§ occupied q the Prince Napoleon, the Princess