The Express.
London, England, 1863-03-06 00:00:00

ililaPAY EVENING, MARCH 6, 1863.

. ; THS • • f •
RECEPTION OF TrIE PRINCESS

ALEXANDRA.

The members of the Royal Reception Committee
of the Corporation of London met yesterday morning. A
very numerously attended and influential deputation waited
upon the committee in ►eference to the police arrange-
manta, and especially as to the regulation by which it was
decided that the carriages of the civic body should stop on
the east side of Temple-bar, and return down Fleet-street
towards the Guildhall on the north side of that street.
It was urged on behalf of the gentlemen forming the
deputation, and who were inhabitants of the hose's
in the upper part of Fleet-street, that if this
arrangement were serried out they would be entirely de-
prived of a view of the proceuion. It was further stated
that if steps were not taken to prevent such a state of
things there would in all probability be a strong feeling
expressed upon the subject. It was explained to the de-
putation that the members of the committee were most de-
sirous of doing everything in their power for ensuring to
the citizens every possible facility for witnessing the royal
procession. After some consideration, it was decided to
rescind the regulation that had been come to, and it was
resolved that the carriages of the civic authorities should
file off up Chancery-lane, and so prevent the in-
convenience that was contemplated. The members of
the deputation thanked the committee for the liberal m►n-
ner in which they had acted, and it was suggested that the
civic authorities who might take part in the procession
should, after retiring from the procession in Chancery-lane,
leave their carriages and take up a position on the pavement
between Chancery-lane and Temple-bar, in order to bid
farewell to the Prince of Wales and the Princess Alexandra
as they departed from the City into Westminster. This
arrangement was very cordially received, and it was at once
referred to • sub-committee to'consides the practicability
. .

of carrying it out. Captain Hodgson, the acting-commis-
sioner of polio., thought there would be no difficulty what-
ever in the matter. The committee were next occupied in
deciding upon the order of the civic procession, and several
alight alterations were made in the programme.

SCENE ON THE ROUTE OF THE PROCESSION.
On approaching London-bridge from the Surrey side the
preparations for welcoming the Princess first begin to
asaume an imposing character. A substantial and elegant
gallery, built by Mr. Alderman Humphrey immediately
between the large block of buildings known as Hibernia-
chambers and the Bridge House Hotel, both of which are
the property of the worthy alderman, is the first striking
object. This " flying gallery," u it may be called, for
it literally hangs over Duke-street, will afford we of the
beet views of the preterite along the whole route. Ile
occupants will, it is said be confined to the numerous pri-
vate friends of the alderman. London-bridge will be the
great point of attraction. The Fishmongers' Company
on the City side of the bridge will be the first of the
great City pal& on the line of route to present them-
selves to the Princess. The preparations here are on a very
extensive scale, galleries capable of seating nearly 1,000
ladies having been thrown out on the river and road fronts
ef the hall. Proceeding by King William IV.'s statue, the
procession will pass down King William-street, through
lines of public offices, which for the day must be con-
verted into reception saloons for the fairer portion of
creation. The members of the Gresham Club have
erected a gallery for the accommodation of their
members, and the churchyard opposite is terraced
with meats. Passing a few yards further on, the
Princess will enter that greet square, the thtee sides
of which are formed by the Bank of England, the Royal
Exchange, and the Mansion House, the latter of which has
been most elaborately decorated, and furnished with a
gallery capable of seating nearly 700 guests. At the
Mansion House the ceremony of presenting the Lsdy
Mayoress to the Princess will take place with the usual
formalitim. The route through the Poultry sad along
Cheapside will present no particular features until St.
Paul's Churchyard is reached. The galleries bets are superb
constructions, and when filled with company, their gay
dresses contrasting with the crimson covering of the seats
and supporting pillars—muut have an admirable effect.
The galleries are divided into five blocks respectively
marked A, B, C, D, and E. Block A, which is over that
portion of the churchyard nearest to Cheapaide, is sub-
divided and placed at the disposal of the inhabitants of the
united parishes of St. Gregory and St. Faith, in which the
cathedral is situated. Blocks B and C, extending south-
wards round the choir of the cathedral to the great southern
door, are appropriated to the members of the corporation.
the Court of Lieutenancy, and the Board of Wain. The
Dean and Chapter of St. Paul's have reserved to them-
selves a small space encircling the southern entrance ; and
the remainder of the galleries, running round to Ludgate-
hill, are reserved for 15 of the great civic companies, who
share the expense of the erection with the corporation.
First in order, and adjoining the dean and chapter's gallery,
the Mercers' Company have seats for 120 persona, the other
companies following in the annexed order :
Grocers'
.

Draper.'
Goldmithe 3OO ClotbworkeW 3OO
Skinners'
. . 300 Carpontale
140

Merchant Taylors' .... 300 Dias'
Haberdashers' 250 Fruiterers'
Salters'

There will be an equal nuniber of sesta ie the upper part
of these galleries devoted to the friends of the corporation.
Each block is provided with • a distinct entrance, and
Mown. Staples and Messrs. Ring and Brymer will have
refreshment buffets attached to all the galleries. Down
Ludgate-hill and up Fleet-street the houses will be dressed
with spectators, but these thoroughfares are too narrow to
admit of any galleries being erected. The first will be
at St. Dunstan's Church, immediately after paining which
the Lord Mayor and the civic authorities are to file off up
Chancery-lane, and resign the conduct of the Prince and
Princess to the Duke of Bucclench, high steward, and the
other corporate authorities of Westminster, who are to be
in waiting outside Temple-bar. At St. Clement's-church-
yard, and again in the churchyard of St. Mary-le-
Strand, very capacious galleries have been built for the
accommodation of spectators ; and further on at the
church of St. Martin-ia-the-Fields. The members of the
Royal Academy have availed themselves of their tenure
of the National 'hiller!, and thrown out an amphitheatre
of sesta is front of that building. At the College of
Physicians, at her Majesty's Theatre, and at all the club-
houses in Pall-mall and St. James's-street accommodation
has been provided for a large number of spectator'. In
Piccadilly the Duke of Devonshire, Miss Cootie, Count
Plahault, Sir Edward Kerrison, Baron Rothschild, and the
Duke of Wellington have invited large parties to witness
the royal entry. This will be one of the most interesting
points on the journey through London, from the rank and
fashion that will be assembled in the neighbourhood.
The Prince and Princess, on passing into Hyde Park, will
be relieved from the attendance of their municipal escort,
and here her royal bighead's will have an opportunity of
judging of what sort of men the volunteer body of this
country consists.

On leaving the park the royal procession will move up the
Edgware-road to the terminus of the (:rat Weetern Rail-
way, on their way to Windsor Castle.

Foisted) of the Ist Life Goods sa an escort, and the Budge
Riles as a guard of honour, and proceed underneath the
extremely handsome arch which has been erected at the
entrance to the town from the station. Then, it is said, Lord
Carrington, the lord lieutenant of Bucks, will deliver an
address from the inhabitants of the county. Passim through
the short street of the town the royal party will be met
by smother triumphal arch of a rustic character, and having
then entered the reed to Eton, which it is expected
will be partly lined with the Bucks Rifle Volunteers. On
reaching the ancient college the procession will pass beneath
' the handsome triumphal arch which has been erected at the
entrance near the new school buildings. There the Eton
College Rifles will be draw° up, and although the rortige
is not expected to reach that point till about half-past 5 p.m.,
addresses will be promoted by the Provost, Fellows, Masters,
and townspeople of Eton. Another arch must be passed
before the Princess will gain the maiu street of the town.
It is on crossing Windsor-bridge, however, that the novelty
of the animated preparations first strikes the eye of the
visitor. Here a few yards from the banks of the Thames is
• most beautiful arch composed of shields and evergreens,
and ornamented with devices of the Prince of Wales's
feathers and mottoes, the effect of the whole being greatly
heightened by the noble proportions of the grand old castle
towering behind, and forming a most attractive background.
The curfew or belfry tower, the restoration of which is now
nearly completed, is being hung with flags and banners of
all nations, while Thames-street is being festooned in •
similar manner to the principal street in Etoe.
On entering the borough of Windsor the royal party will
be received a few yards 'moth of the triumphal arch by the
Mayor, W. Hansom, Esq., the Recorder, and Town Council,
who will then present an address. Thence, as the proces-
sion winds up Thameeatreet around the tame of the wall of
the Castle, the street on each side will be lined with crowds
of spectator'. The arch at the Castle-hill is the last of the
series of festive erections through which her Royal High.
nom will par on reaching Windsor, where it is confidently
expected she will arrive by 6 o'clock p.m.
The temporary building containing the assembling-hall
and retiring-rooms of the bride and bridegroom and their
attendants is nearly completed. Cardinal Wolsey's Chapel
is being cleared out in readiness for its conversion into re.
tiring rooms for the Knights of the Garter, and the rustic
porch, which is being constructed of fir poles and ever-
greens, sod roofed with red tiles is verging on completion.
A large circular space has been parted off from the rest of
the Horse-park, opposite the north tenon of the castle;
and here • splendid display of fireworks will take place next
Monday. On this occasion the public will be admitted to
the north terrace by tickets, from whence a good view of the
fireworks can be obtained, the display taking place about
10 p.m.