The Express.
London, England, 1855-08-18 00:00:00

:tlt Court.

OSBORNE, ACOOST 17.
Her Majesty and Print* Albert, with the Prince
of Wales and the Nieces' Royal, will embark on board the
Vittoria and Albert this evening, and proceed, at a very
early hour to-morrow morning, to Boulogne. The suite on
board the royal yacht will consist of the Marchioness of Ely,
Lady Churchill, the Ron. Mary Bailee!, the Marquis of
Breadallmas, the Marquis of Abercorn, the Earl el Claren-
don, Sir James Club, and Mr. Gibbs.

Her Majesty's ship Osborne will accompany the royal
yacht, and will convey Major• General the Hon. C. Grey,
Colonel the Hon. C. B. Phipps, Lord Alfred Paget, and
Lieut.. Colonel Biddulph.
The Hon. Mary Beheld has snoceeded the Hon. Beatrice
Byeg as Maid of Honour in Waiting.

Yesterday being the anniversary of the birthday of the
Duchess of Kent, &merry peal was rung on the church bells
at Kecsington early in the zooming, and the royal standard
was hoisted. Her lt 4'l Highness's town tradesmen dined
together at the British Hotel, Cockspur.street. An
usel-
lent dessert was sent for the occasion by her Majesty's com-
mand. The Royal Duchess also directed a fat buck to be
supplied. Mr. Edward Snell, jun., filled the chair.
In the evening the houses of her Royal Highness's trades-
' man in London and Kensington were illuminated.

A Cabinet Council was held yesterday at the
Foreign-olfioe, Downie -street. The ministers pre-
sent were:—Viscount Palmerston, the Lord Chan-
cellor, Earl Granville, the Marquis of Lansdowne,
the Duke of Argyll, the Earl of Clarendon, Sir Wil-
liam Molesworth, Lord Panmure, the Chancellor of
the Exchequer, the Right Hon. R. Vernon Smith,
Viscount Canning, and the Earl of Harrowby. The
Council sat three hours.

Mr. John Thornton, deputy chairman of the Board of I
Inland Re , had an interview with the ChanoeUor of',
the Exchequer yesterday, at his official residence, in
Downing•street.
Viscount and Viscountess Palmerton left town yesterday
afternoon, for Broadlands, Hants.
Sir William sad Lady Molesworth left town for Pen-
meow, near Bothnia, yesterday.
Despatches were received at the Colonial-office yesterday,
from the 'overawe of Mauritius, Ceylon, Hosg•Kong, and
West Australia. Despatches were sent yesterday to the
Governors of the North American provinces.

THE QUEEN'S VISIT TO PARIS.

(PROW OUR OWN CORRIBTONDRNT).
PORTSMOUTH, FRIDAY NIGHT.
_ _ _

At seven o'clock this evening her Majesty, Prince
Albert, and the court embarked on board the Vic-
toria and Albert steamer, and start at daylight for
Boulogne. _

SATURDAY MORNING.
The Royal steamer left this morning at five
;o'clock.

(FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.)
PREPARATIONS AT BOULOGNE.
BOULOGNE, A.courr 17.

For the last seven days crowds of holiday makers
have been disembarking at this port, eager to secure
bedrooms during the week, and balconies to witness
to-morrow's solemnity. Some of the English boats
have arrived with upwards of three hundred and fifty
passengers on board. No sooner are these visitors
landed than they hastily deposit their luggage at the
first hotel that can or will receive them ; then they
sally forth, and ask all kinds of questions of the
first person they meet relative to the Queen's
arrival. Thus, every group of lounger' upon the jetty
has its own authoritative view of the great question.
Some people have heard, on the best authority, that
the Queen will arrive off the port early this afternoon t
others are certain that the royal party will not leave
Osborne before to- morrow morning; a third knot is in
possession of facts of the moat private nature. Amid
all this gossip—which is carried on even by officials,
whom it is natural to regard as infallible authorities,
but who in reality have only that infinite scrap of
official intelligence which concerns them—it is
no easy matter to sift groundless gossip from
real information. This gossip, however, proves the
state of almost mad enthusiasm with which the fifty
thousand people of Boulogne are possessed to-day.
Everywhere, along the line of route, from the land-
ing-place to the railway-station, seats at windows
have been purchased at prices which prove that the
residents of Boulogne know how to combine patrio-
tism with pecuniary advantage. The real prepara-
tions, which are being actively pushed forward at the
last moment, consist of the great tent at the landing-
place, and the triumphal arch, amphitheatre, and re-
ception rooms of the railway station. Then, at the
camps, men are eager to learn who will form
part of the line of soldiers appointed to keep the
way clear. It is certain, however, that the
square about the landing-place will be formed by the
Lancers now at Boulogne, and that the cortEge will
be escorted by squadrons of Lancers and Dragoons.
Orders have also been issued to the effect that a
company of the famous Chasseurs de Vincennes shall
be included in the troops told off for the duty of
keeping the way. Here, then, her Majesty will see
for the first time the equipment and appearance of
these renowned soldiers. I will now briefly describe
the preparations made here to receive her Majesty
to-morrow. In the first place, it is now certain that
the royal party will land opposite the Place Dannon,
where a richly ornamented tent is in course
of erection. This tent will be almost wholly com-
posed of red velvet, lightened within by lace, light
candelabra, and flowers. Before it stand two high
columns, twenty-one feet in height, painted " true
blue,* upon which will be placed vases of burning
incense. Around this tent the civil and military
authorities of Boulogne and the neighbourhood will
assemble to receive the illustrious visitor". From
the tent it is believed the Queen, escorted by the
Emperor, will proceed to the Pavilion Hotel, facing
the sea, to breakfast; orders having been given at this
establishment for 160 covers at noon to-morrow.
From the hotel the party will proceed along the port,
over the new bridge, which will be ornamented with
marble pyramids bearing heraldic emblems, to the
railway station. The preparations here made for the
reception of the Queen are really imposing. The
entrance to the railway station is spanned by a Wen-

did triumphal arch, seventy-five feet in height. This
arch is notconstracted on the long-establiehed aritem
of severing lath-work with evergreens. It consists of
beautiful gilt arabesque work, intentioned with
wreaths of flowers, and crowned by a bold figure,
that, with outstretched arms, offers a welcome
to the Emperor's guests. Upon the scroll this
figure holds is inscribed the word " Civilisation!"
The bees of the arch is marked by a green scroll,
upon which, in letters of gold, are the words, " Wel-
come to England.* The arms of England and France
rise above this scroll, and form the supports of the
great figure. Around the crowning figure float the
flags of the allied powers ; below, those of the se-
condary states of Europe. Shields, streamers, em-
blazonments, and flowers, scattered about the lower
part of this immense construction, make a rich and
imposing effect. Passing under the arch, the royal
visitors will enter the open space before the
station—which has been covered with turf—
interspersed with beds of the choicest flowers.
To give effect to this enclosure, one gardener
alone has sent no less than 4,000 plants. To
the right, an amphitheatre of seats, covered with
red velvet, and backed by gilt arabesque work, and
flowers, has been raised, for the accommodation of
ladies invited by the town or railway company to
witness the arrival. Then the entire front of the
station itself has been hung with velvet, spangled
with bees. The Royal Standard of England and the
Tricolour of France float from the belfry tower over
the entrance; and an eagle, with spread wings, forms
a conspicuous ornament. The panels and pilasters,
hung with velvet, display initial letters, &c., in
gold. The first-class reception room has been ar-
ranged with rich hangings for the illustrious party.
Here the emblems of the two countries, worked in
gold, enliven the folds of velvet. The doorways are
ornamented with gathered folds of muslin. The floor
is covered with a spleediel carpet. From the ceiling
hang beautiful chandeliers of flowers. The Queen's
reception room is a perfect specimen of French art,
in the arrangement of a limited space. The doors
are lined with white velvet, the walls are covered
with white and red fluted silk, and the furniture is
all of the most elegant description. The huge hall of
the railway station is occupied on three sides by
seats 60 feet long. Chandeliers hang from the roof,
trophies, banners, enliven the walls ; and opposite
the entrance by which the Queen will reach the
platform is an artistically-arranged trophy of arms.
the train of state will consist of the Emperor's car-
riage, in which he will travel with his royal guests,
and carriages bearing the royal and imperial suite,.
This outline of the preparations includes, I believe,
all that is to be accomplished at Boulogne. The port,
of course, will be gay with the flags of nations ; tens
of thousands of people will line the quay ; the bells of
the churches will ring; the cannon will make their
coisy welcome ; and thirty or forty thousand
men under arms will mark the summits of the cliffs
from above the town as far as Ambleteuse. Last
sight an English corvette anchored off the port,
heralding the imposing fleet that is to accompany the
Queen, and thousands of people crowded to the pier-
head to look at the trim precursor of to-morrow's
splendid pageant. It is now pretty certain that the
Queen will arrive off Boulogne this evening, sleep on
board, and enter the port as esrly as the tide will
allow to-morrow morning. In this case, it is said the
men in the camps along the heights will advance to
the edge of the cliffs to-night, and greet the royal
visitors with a splendid feu de joie.
An official intimation reached the authorities here
last night that the Emperor would reach Boulogne
this evening at six o'clock. Lord Cowley will also
arrive in the course of the afternoon, to escort his
Sovereign to the capital in which he represents—or,
according to many people, mis-represents—the
English nation. The imperial carriages, in which
the royal visitors are to proceed from the land-
ing-place to the railway station, arrived here
yesterday afternoon. To the great disappoint-
ment of people who have paid for places at
windows, they are closed vehicles. The reason is
that all the Imperial open carriages are in requisition
to convey the Emperor's guests from the terminus in
Paris to St. Cloud—the party requiring no less than
eight.
On Wednesday last a meeting of the British resi-
dents was held at the Hotel du Nord, to frame an
address of congratulation to the Queen on the occa-
sion of her visit; Captain Kirby in the chair. This
address, which is conceived in the following terms,
will be presented to her Majesty to-morrow by the
British Consul:
At • public meeting, d by her Britannic Majesty's
Consul, at the large room is the Hotel t.O Nord, on Wed-
nesday, the 16th day of August instant ; Captain Kirby In
the chair ;
It was proposed by Edmund Tortoo, Esq.; seconded by
Captain Kennett, and d unanimously :
That the following address from the British residents and
visitors in and near Boulogne-sur-Mer be adopted by this
meeting, end that the same be presented to her Majesty
through her Britannic Majesty's Coceul at Boulogne, or
through her Britannic Majesty's Ambassador at the Court of
France.

_
" May it please your Majesty,
" We, the British residents and visiton in and sear the
city of Boulogursur.Mer, with feelings of the most pro-
found respect, humbly present our heartfelt congratulations
on that most auvicious event, your Majesty's visit to your
august ally, the Emperor of the French an which we
doubt not will Mud, under God's blessing, still further to
strengthen and perpetuate the cordial union at present so
happily existing between France and Great Britain.
" That Almighty God may long preserve your Majesty
to reign over a loyal, happy, and contented people, and that
He may impart His choicest blessings to your Majesty's royal
Consort, the Prises Albert, and to your Majesty's royal
family, is the fervent prayer of your Majesty's most dutiful
and loving subjects, the British residents and visiton in and
near Boulogne cur-Mer.
(Signed) " Warm Snxt, Chairman."

The weather continues beautiful. A cloudless sky
and a calm sa promise for to•morrow's spectacle that
weather known to English holiday makers as the
Queen's.

(PROM ANOTHER CORRESPONDENT )
BOULOONE, Arroyos. 17.
This morning, at about two o'clock, the steam cor-
vette Rosamond entered the harbour, having on
board four of her Majesty's carriages, which it
conveyed from the Isle of Wight. As even
monarchs are unable to control time or tide, it is
supposed that the Queen cannot effect a landing on
Saturday until about 2 o'clock. There will not be a
sufficient depth of water at the bar until about that
hour. Her l'tlajesty's arrival at Paris .will conse-
quently be postponed until very late in the evening,
when the obecuray of approaching night will deprive
the anxious inhabitants of the great capital of much
of the gratification they anticipated of witnessing the
arrival of England's beloved monarch in the
broad daylight. In consequence of this unlooked-for
event, it is reported that the Queen will stop
the night at Boulogne, in order to carry out as far as
possible the original arrangements for a grand public
entry into Para. But inasmuch as such a delay
would involve the necessity of travelling upon the
Sunday, it is by no means probable that Boulogne
will be so highly favoured.
Yesterday afternoon 28 horses and three car-
riages of the Emperor arrived from Paris. These
were accompanied by a numerous retinue of servants.
They were all accommodated at the Hotel du Nord.
His Imperial Majesty will positively arrive at six
o'clock in the evening at the Pavilion Hotel, where
he has engaged apartments for ten days.
Never within the recollection of the oldest inhabi-
tant has there been such a crowd of visitors at Bou-
logne. Every steamer and railway train conveys
multitudes, and ell the hotels, inns, and lodging-
houses are crammed with human beings, many of
whom are very glad to have the accommodation
of • mattress placed upon the bare floor.
The good citizens who have beds to let
are consequently reaping great profits, as
the prices demanded are exorbitant, and are advanc-
ing still higher in proportion as the articles become
scarcer. This plethora of luck, unfortunately for
the Boulonnais, will be of abort duration, for in •
fortnight or so apartments may be had for a mere
trifle.

It appears tbat a um of 26,000 francs bu been
voted for the decorations at the railway station and
on the quay, an account of which I forwarded you
yesterday.

-
The following paragraph I translate from L' Im-
partial, s Boulogne journal published this
Wig•
Fort, youset sit misterroptad pease betwees Frump
sad Beglasd ham Wised the last sabseatty of their
fusser strife. ♦ sew geanstice Ms wag up, whisk

!Me not imbibed the noxious spirit of national bate.
The moment has now arrived to make amends,
by the cordial union of the two most powerful
nations in Europe, for the evils which their enmity
bad oesesioned to the world. This grand idea the Emperor
of the French and Queen Victoria have accomplished. AU
due thanks must beeves to them fur this happy constitutes-
tion. Lord Clarendon is reported to have said the other
day in the British House of Lords, while tharocterisiog the I
close union of the two countries, that there was no longer
an English Cabinet exclusively, nor a French Cabinet ex-
clusively, but that there was one only a►inet, the members
of which sat indifferently upon the one and the other aide
of the channel. We can only give the assurance upon oar
side that in future there will be but one people in the two
con from the day that Queen Victoria shall have ar-
rived in Paris.