The Press.
London, England, 1857-08-08 00:00:00

Coat ane iasOton.

VISIT OF THEIR MAJES ciEs CHE EMPEROR
AND EMPRESS OF THE FRENCH.
THE EMPEROR NAPOLEON, accompanied by the Em-
press Eugenie, and attended by the Count and
Countess Walewski, the Princess Essling, General
the Baron Roland, Chief of the Staff, and General
Fleury, arrived off Osborne, shortly after nine a.m.,in
the imperial yacht Reins Hortense, on Thursday last.
Every precaution had been taken by the authori-
ties to insure the privacy of the Imperial visitors.
The guard-boats of the fleet prevented all but vessels
of war on duty from approaching within two miles
of the landing-place at Osborne. At the Reine
Hortense dropped slowly down at half-speed the
Imperial visitors could be distinctly seen standing
on the quarter-deck, which was decorated with
exquisite taste, and covered with small conical par-
terres of clustering flowers, so as to make it resemble
a small summer garden rather than the deck or a
steamer. The Empress was attired in the plainest
description of travelling dress, and leaned upon the
arm of his Majesty, who also wore a simple walking
costume, without order or decoration of any kind.
When the yacht had approached within about a mile
of Osborne, Prince Albert and Prince Alfred entered
the royal barge. The men-of-war boats formed in
double lines on each side of it, and the Fairy and
Elfin royal yachts steamed close outside all.
His Royal Highness immediately went on board
the Reine Hortense, and warmly welcomed the
Imperial guests. Atter a delay of a few moments
the Prince Consort conducted the Empress down
into the royal barge, in which the Emperor also took
his seat, followed by the four members of his suite
we have mentioned. The royal barge, both in going
and returning from the yacht, was steered by Captain
the Hon. Joseph Denman, the Commodore of the
Victoria and Albert, and in a few minutes was at the
landing.place at Osbcrne. A guard of honour of
fifty picked Crimean men of the Coldstream Guards
was in attendance. The Emperor w'as the first to
disembark, and the most cordial greetings apparently
passed between his Majesty and the Queen, and also
between her Majesty and the Empress. The latter
gave a most affectionate reception to the Princess
Royal. Almost immediately after landing the Em-
press and her Majesty and the Emperor and Prince
Albert entered their pony carriage and drove at once
to the house.

Captain the Hon. Joseph Denman entertained
all the officers of the Reine Hortense and the two
French war steamers which esc mud her (La Corse
and Pelican) at a magnificent banquet the same
evening.
1-,ln order to set at rest the numerous rumours
which are at present current as to its being the
intention of the Imperial visitors to visit the Man-
chester Exhibition, we can state most positively that
nothing whatever in relation to the intended move-
ments of the Court has been allowed to transpire as
yet beyond the mere fact that, except for short ex-
cursions in the royal yachts, neither the Emperor nor
Empress are likely to quit the island. It is con-
sidered by those who have the best opportunities of
obtaining correct information on these matters, that
it is just probable the Emperor may pay a private
visit to the dockyard, and also to the James Baines,
this morning, before her sailing with the troops fur
India. Beyond this, and the fact that there is to be
an early soiree dansante at Osborne-house this even-
ing, nothing is known. There seems little doubt
that the visit will Lrininate on Monday next.

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