The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1869-07-24 00:00:00

ARRIVAL OF THE PRINCE AND PRINCESS OF WALES.

On the arrival of their Royal Highnesses at Manchester on
Monday evening, the spacious station platforms were covered
with a crowd of several thousand persons, although it must
have been known beforehand to be difficult or imp ,asible to
obtain a passing glimpse of the Prince or Princess during the
momentary halt, or rather the slackening of speed, not within,
but outside the station. The ringing cheers of the multitude
were not the only signs of welcome amidst which the Prince
and Princess made their swift passage over the long viaduct
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and other churches were kept ringing from flee o'clock until
alter the arrival was known, and the streets of the city had
been enlivened with flags throughout the day. The numbers
displayed from the roofs of the houses along the route, as
well as the windows and stations crowded with people eager
to see the train as it whirled by, would be testimony
sufficient of the interest with which this float visit of the
roy at pair to Manchester is regarded.
The special train reached Woraley-station about half-past
six o'clock. The naturally ph.tturesque station was profusely
decorated. The platform was covered with a rich carpet
along the whole length. and there was a beadtiful display of
flowering plants from the Worsley flail grounds. The effect
was much heightened by an abundance of drapery in the
form of flags and bannerets, arranged in the nioat tasteful
style. The whole village, in which may be included the hall,
the church, the Court, house, the Br.d.pswater Hotel, the
spacious timber-yard, and the villagers' cottages, might be
said to have been alive with enthusiasin and bunting,
The Prince and Princess of Wales arrived at Wotsley Hall
at a little after six iclock. On their journey they stopped
at Macclestield and Conaleton, where addresses were presented
to them. The Earl of Ellesmere, accompanied by the Hon.
Algernon Egerton, M. P., and Captain Francis Egerton, was
on the platform .t 6 pm., awaiting the arrival of the train.
After handing the Princess of Vs ales from her carriage, and
welcoming the Prince, his lordship drove on in his brougham
and pair to the hall, in order to be present with the Countess
at the reception of their Royal guests on the threshold.
• Their Royal Highnesses 'sere cheered with the utmost
enthindaim by au immense crowd of spectators.

VISIT or THE PRINCE AND PRINCESS TO TEI
AGRICULTURAL SHOW.

On Tuesday morning the Prince and Princess of
Wales visited the Agrieldtural Show, going direct from
Worsley to Old Trafford without entering the city. Thr
pretty village was full of excitement from an early hour. Tln
Innises and the few public buildings were very gay with the
flav that had been hoisted the day before to welcome tin
itu)al party on their arrival, and the roads were covered witl
people hastening to the Park entrances. But the denses
throng was at the Royal landing-stage, on the hanks of (hi
Bridgewater Canal. The erection and the Royal barge np,
the canal are relies of the find visit of the (lawn and Princ.
Consort to Manchester In lv.l, when the Royal party wer
*minded along the canal to Woraley tram Pewit:rota gime

larly the Prince and Princess arid their suites were new to he
conducted in the barge from Woreley through Patricroft to
Old Trafford, a distance of five miles and a half. A well-
dressed crowd of people waited with exemplary patience be-
neath an oppressively brilliant sun from about half-past
eight until twenty-ft ve minutes after eleven o'clock, when Ito
embarkation was effected. As eleven o'clock approached, a
number of carriages arrived from the Hall conveyiug the
ladies who were to accompany the Prince and Princess. The
gentlemen of the party mostly strolled down on foot.
The Prince and Pr Meese, with their host and hostas., the
Earl and Countess of Ellesmere, were the last to appear, and
their carriage was driven down to the stage, a very short dis-
tance from the Hall, ami i a lively sceue among the epectators,
who were cheering a' it running from all quarters in order
either to be as close as they could to the canal, or to wit-
, n ss the embarkation freer the most favourable point
of view. A little aquatic procession was soon formed
of the Royal Intro aid another containing the
party, prece :ed said followed by the boats of some
Manchester It ising Clubs as a guord of honour. The
barges were towel each by a pair of horses, ridden by postil-
lions, and the towing paths were kept entirely clear of
people along the whole rode by mounted patrols in livery!
The three eight-eared boats of the Nemesis Club led the pro-
cession ; utter them came the Royal barge and its consort.
and finally the seven bows of the Prince of Wales, Aeecroft,
and Broughton Clubs. The little fiddle looked sufficiently
picturesque, earth boat with its owe flag floating astern and
its crew dressed in flannels with smart fibroids on their
breasts, straw hats, and blue anal sidle caps. The Royal
suite included Lady Morton (Lady in Waiting, Lord Alfred
Hervey ;Lord in Waithig), Colonel Kingscote, Major Grey,
and Sir NV. Knollys. The arrangements, both here and
throughout the route, were well managed under the super-
vision of Captain Ileatou, the celebrated adjutant and marks-
man at Wimbledon.
The bridges over the canal and every road and vacant plot
of ground commanding a view were crowded with people,
many of whom wore rosettes. Banners and bannerets were
hoisted on buildings everywhere, and the populous villages
of l'atricroft and Barton furnished immense crowds of ex-
cited people to swell the throngs on the banks. Bands of
music, at various points along the canal, saluted the Royal
panty, and peals of bells from churches in the neighbourhood
rung out merrily.
The R pal barge arrived at Throstle Nest, Old Trafford,
about 12 45 p.m., where a temporary landing-stage bad been
erected at the bottom of Mr. Alderman Heywood's gmden,
which slopes to the side of the canel. The landing.stage was
gaily decorated, and a select party were accommodated with
seats, to the number of about 200. The Royal visitors and
their suite, having disembarked amid great demonstrations
of joy, immediately proceeded to four carriages which
were in waiting. They drove to the Exhibition, accom-
panied by a crowd of several thousand people who ran
by the sides of the carriages, cheering loudly. A great
gathering had assembled outside the entrance build-
trigs to see them alight, and continue the cheering. The
Royal party, however, did not alight, but drove throligh the
gates, where Mr. Brandreth Gibbs, honorary director of the
Exhibition received them. and handed to the Prince of Wales
WS badge of office as President of the Royal Agricultural
Society, and catalogues of the Show. They then drove
through a lane of elegently dressed ladles arid gentlemen, ex-
tending the whole length of the Exhibition as far as the
Clock Tower. l'pwards of 5,000 people had mitered the Ex-
hibition by twelve o'clock, and when the Royal party
arrived there were probably nearly seven thousand
to receive them. In the bright and sunny woollier
the ladies hail been tempted to put on their lightest attire, ,
and the beautiful and delicate colouring of gauzy meshes, I
preponderated over silks and richer fabrics. Of course there !
was a great display of toilets, mei the circumstances were
exceedingly favourable under which to see to advantage the
far-famed "Lancashire Witches." The Prince and Princess
of Wales drove down to the show of horses In the first in-
stance, and remained awhile to see the leaping of hunters,
which of late has become a popular feature in exhibition
of this kind.
Their Royal Highnesses inspected some portion of the
Cattle Show, and remained in the grounds for upwards of an
hour. About ten minutes to two o'clock they entered the
Royal Agricultural Society's pavilion to lunch with the
members and council of the Society, of whom about 500 were
present. The band of the Royal Dragoon Guards was in the
groimds anti played a selection of music.
The lunchedc was served at two o'clock. Their Royal
Highnesses were received at the door of the pavilion by the
Earl of Sefton, and the Princess leaning on his arm was
escorted by him to her seat. The Earl of Sefton presided,
and the company included many persons of distinction. The
usual loyal toast was proposed, and enthusiastically received.
After lunch the RosAl party went to see the hunters leap
fences, and did not retire until about five o'clock. Before
they left the show about 10,000 persons had entered the
grounds on payment of ss. each, besides 4,000 members.
Their Royal Highnesses returned to Worsley by boat, arid
arrived about 0.31 p.m. The dinner party at Worsley Hall
Included all the eon.pany who had visited the show with the
Priece and l'rincess, about thirty in number, anal was served
at 6 p.m. An evening party assembled at ten o'clock, at which
many distiuguished guests were present.