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

THE QUEEN'S VISIT TO FRANCE.

ON Saturday morning at half-past four o'clock the Victoria
mid 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
Reyal 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, and was attired in plain clothes.
It was expected that the Empress would have accompanied
him, but it appears that she was prevented in consequence of
a temporary delicacy of health. On the previous evening
twenty-eight horses and three carriages of the Emperor arrived
at the Hotel du Word. One of these carriages was particularly
remarkable for its beauty and magnificent appointments. It
was one built especially for the Queen's use during her sojourn
in Prance. It is a most unique vehicle, of 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 trely magnificent in its deco-
rations. The Douane, or Custom-house, was thickly hung
with the flags of both countries, ranged with exquisite taste and
studded with numerous devices. The hotels and other 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 hurrahs broke from the crowds upon the left jetty.
On the right 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 and vigorous roll of the French drums was continuous.
The spectacle was now extremely striking. The quay con-
tained an immense multitude. Tricoloured flags and British
ensigns waved in profusion from every house, and the whole
port was gay with-streamers, flags, and garlands. Every win-
dow had its group of fair spectators. Opposite the Deptt 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 appearedat the -ship's side, and gracefully
acknowledged the salutations of the Emperor. A stage was
thrown on board, 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-that, crowned heads stand in
sacred and fraternal relations to each other. The Emperor
then cordially 'shook hands with Prince Albert, the Princess
Royal, and 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
Prisise of ales sitting opposite. The Emperor having then
incanted his horse, rode upon the right of the carriage. On
the Icft rode Marshal Baraguay d'Hilliers, and a little in the
rear General Schramm, Colonel Fleury, 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
a slow 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
Her Majesty's escort and guard of honour, the acclamations of
the multitude were redoubled, and cries of " Vice la Reine !"
-and " Vive l'Empereur !" '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-
way station. Her Majesty, who -appeared to be in excellent
health and spirits, acknowledged in the most gracious manner
the 'rivals of the people. The Queen wore a white bonnet
and .blue satin visite, and Prince Albert' a field-marshal's
• uniform, 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 Capecure
to do honour to the Royal guests-were on a scale of surpassing
magnificence. Two lodges were constructed at the entrance
a e The.
wo
r lowerh
40 part
feet o f
high,
of the station, and between the, lodges a triumphal arch, 75
this-areandde
adorned t r iomphew wasith of open
gilt flowers
feet high, upon a scale of imposing grandeur, was con-
structed.
and evergreens tastefully disposed. At the spring of
the arch was a green scroll, with the words, " Welcome to
France" in large gold letters. The arms of England and
France rose above the scroll, and a colossal figure representing
the Genius of Civilization held aloft a scroll .with a suitable
inscription. The flags of England and France, Turkey and
Sardinia, waved side by side, and shields, banners, emblazon-
ments,-otreamers, and garlands of diowers 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 upholstery. Its walls hung
with rich red velvet, strewed with spangled bees and leopards,
the openings covered with muslin curtains and velvet hang-
ings with golden acorns—its tribunes covered with velvet and
. embroidered with coats of arms—its 'twelve huge vases of
flowers suspended from the ceiling, and its one magnificent
flower vase in ;ale centre, its richly-designed carpet covering
the whole spaceanust 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
mirrors, toilet tables, couches, sofas, and chairs disposed with
that taste and eye to ensemble which made the spectators
,wonder whether Parisian taste in decoration could greatly
transcend thesplendours of the Boulogne railway station.
At half-past two o'clock the train, 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, considerable preparations were made to do
honour to the guests of khe Emperor. Two thousand cavalry
and infantry were draWnp in view of the railway station, at
the entrance of which was a large inscription, "Welcome to
France;" surmounted by at eagle and surrounded by flags.
The Mayor and civic authorities of Abbeville awaited the
arrival of the train at the platform 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 the cathedral again came in sight,
and the graceful hinge of trees ,on both banks 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. aUp to this point the country had
been smiling, not to say laughing, with plenty. Fields of
corn, like "golden shields cast down from the sun," had 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 seen, 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 of 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 minutes past
seven o'clock at Paris, the journey having been performed in
four 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, a s 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
instre to the occasion was perceptible in all the arrangements.
The interior of the station presented a most magnificent
appearance as the illustrious visitors passed 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
which her Majesty passed was one mass of
flowers. At the and of the station there was .a large square
space, covered with a nwg
nificent carpet of enormous dimen-
which ranged a number of ban-
and embroidery, for the ladies
sions, around the sides of
witness the reception.
floor,w were hung with
quettes, covered with velvet
The
eo
sideswe re honouredefthe st
station,
voiht,hu) t
e invitation:t.herst?
crimson velvet, embroidered with bees an stars. There were
richly gilt, the Imperial arms of England and France .
em-
blazoned shields bearing the arms of the towns (it"' Prance, gar-
lands of flowers suspended from the roof, and eagles with ex-
tended wings, bearing on them the monogram or' Her
Majesty, and trophies and banners were profusely distribui,nl
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 I'M occupied by the Prince Napoleon, the Princess