The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1882-06-20 00:00:00

VISIT OF THE DUKE AND DUCHEBB OF
EDINBURGH AND THE DUKE OF CON-
NAUGHT.

Loyal and curious inhabitants who were in the
secret were agit.ted on We Ineeday afternoon by the
hope of seeing their Royal Hdihneases the Duke and
Duchess of Edinburgh, in fact, the Russian Imperial
Princess urea the piaci pel attraction. The menet bad is vi.
dently leaked out, and there were • hundred or two on the
railway platform, arrival side Great Western, it being
understood the lioyal party sere to e me by the 3.20
train. In ample time before that, Mr. Smith's two
carriages drove up, the police made their appearance,
and the great mite of the station on the arrival side
being shut and guarded proclaimed to the world oitaide
that some one was expected. Consequently about 500
people gathered. Inside, Hr. Sewell, Her Majesty's
district paymaster, with Mr. Collett, oar active station-
meter, arranged for the Royal party to have &clear lane
for passage, and the carri vies were brought to the plat-
form's edie. The Mayor (R. N. Howard, Berl that
moment he heard the Duke was coming to W
went to the Town Clerk's office to ascertain whether
there would be time to call the Corporation together,
to be present at the arrival of the Royal Duke and
Duchess; but it was found there was not sufficient
time. 'rho Mayor then proceeded to the King's steps,
where, though anticipating, we may say his Worship
led off three cheers, But this is in anticipation'
the expectant inhabitants at the railway station had
to exercise the virtue of patience, till the train arrived,
bringing a beautiful saloon carriage. From this came
the Royal party, they were preceded by an officer
and guard of honour, with gold laced uniforms, the
people were induced to fell beck, though impatienos
was at its height, and then C 4020 iLR.IL the Duke of
Edinburgh, the Admiral of the Coastguard Fleet, in
his naval uniform. Evers one knows the fine, manly
appearanee of the Sailor Prince, and almost all eyes
were directed to the Flower of Russia, MI. and R. H.
the Duchess of Edinburgh, who came along with •
self-possessed (may we say prinaem-like) walk. The
Princess looked in remarkably blooming health; she
wore • grey hat and feather, and being escorted to be:
carriage, she gratified these present by standing erect
a few emends, looking at them wits • smiling and
most pleasant countenance, while her isnotediata
atteedaota invested her in a brown ulster. IL R.H.
the Duke of Connaught wee of that party, with • lady.
(e-waitin.{, afterwards discovered to be the Hon. Kra,
Monson. Another party were composed of Capt.
Britten, R.N., the lion. Mr. Harbord, Major Poore,
,M.A.a .d another equerrido-waiting. As the august
party approached, the Town Clerk, Polly Hooper, Esq.,
and all the other gentlemen present, lifted their hats, a
siolute which was returned by the Royal Dukes and the
officers attendant. Mr. Smith and his brother
then drove off down the Front to the Pliemier
The Lively despatch vassal had meantime steamed
round from Portland Roads, and • well-appointed
steam launch, with the white ensign astern was
was
at the King's steps. His Worship the Mayor,
N. N. Howard. gel Immediately led off
*nit thews, promptly followed up by Mr. Thies'.
ton and others. Down the steps went the Primes;
followed by her Royal husband, and it was again
noticed that both were looking remarkably well, and
a seeped round of cheers was given as the launch left
the seep', one Demon exclaiming " God bleu the Duke
of Edinburgh." On the 1 shush passing the Pile-pier,
It was seen she wat followed by three others. When
the Royal party were on board, the Lively hoisted the
Royal Standard at her main, having the St. George's
thwee, on whits, at her fore, and the whiteensign float-
ing over her quarterdeck. 'he quickly set her bow
for Portland, and those on the Pier saw her no more,
though they beard the thunder of guns from Portland
yr,s. It was stated the fleet would steam away at
daybreak, and, with their usual promptitude, Kent&
Canoe & Co, at dr &Clock, gave their fellow-towns.
sees-sod visitors an oppotionity of steaming mond the

'eyiiimitti-,

suaasant

, weitii

Fleet. The Empress steamer remained a short time
oppoet e lb.iumnise, which had boiled the
a
Gino of wine of the !toyed Fruity being on board, and
the illustrious party °roe 00 deck, and retread the
welcome of the People. Next day they visited
Abbotabury. Hoeing telegraphed to the Courier Arne
for lunceeon to be eneol, they were driven OM by
rimith, of Weymouth, and arrived about half-pest
one, when, alter humtheon, they drove to the swannery.
The Fowl of Caesar was not at Abbotebsuy but M.
Meet liopeoo, the steward, had the honour o elbowing
the royal visitors over the swannery, and giving
information about the beautiful buds These were
fed, els cecil, with somas, and the Duke of Connaught
wag especially interested. One of the swains was sieu
lifted from her nest to show the degree 01 tomener
theme buds manifest. At the Decoy the visitors were
occupied to learning how the wild fowl ere caught
After seebig the sights of Abbousbury, they (Ivo,
back to the Ilchestsr Arun. !laving expeered than
satisfaction at what they had ern, sod the attention
received, the party started for Weymouth. A steam
Wirth, by the way, mot • very hrosomislookiog one,
came to the reps at Die Err Caney Hod, and the
people again gathered, whir about five o'clock the two
pairs of horses belungiug to Mr. Smith were seen
drawing the carriages and party near the King's
discus, sod they went down ot. Mary...tram So
sudden was the appearance there that the good folks
in general mired the houotw end the eight, whico
would here tided every window and balcony bed there
been but a little foreknowledge, end the itoyal party
drove on to coda Portland, the people at the Pea
waiting to 1140 than debowth from Bond-street or St.
Alban e-etteet. It appears that the rebore had
Merl to the residence of eepusin ktealskile (d.111..0.
defaults) at R..cl well, and there &alma tea; rid meth-
time many ot the sight-seekers left the per end. Buie
about ten minutes to six, the Mary-street f dim writ
again excited by the party driving up through theatres.,
sod to to. Pier end. E.& iL the Doke or Sdinburgh
were a iighteouloured suit, the Dues of Oonuought a
darker, ba, stiller, costume, and the Duchess
Was Mitred as before. dile very oprily rayed outside
the little cabin of the stern launch, giving everyone an
lunelient view of WC theerlai fans; the Wier eepeciady
outiced the ISOIOIIOO of fiat short curls which clustered
over Dec tumbrel. drie wee judged to here toe 000-
reacroal Itoinonod mouth sod chin, on y beautified
by her eel, but woes deligoted every or wee Met eh_
iudited the 'trembled people full in thew base with au
engaging smile. They were burring to chest, but
some whisper the: the lioyal party were opposed to
with • demartratioo restrained everyone on that
oocirion, and the truce Arad away under the
erns of the Bawer with only Wm silent manurial
of raised her. The writhe( continued boa, and the
wind felt, but the Art did not stern awa,, till between
nine and ten, pewter toe front of Weymouth about
mu on Friday morning. tt.kLd. Hercules led, toe
Art coining ia two Lure of four ships each, and pre-
seating a grand sight.— We gave lasi week the pro.
cisme of she rovemeate, both id r 1.1.11. and of the
Nets