The Express.
London, England, 1864-03-11 00:00:00

[Etowah, Id. Addition.lj

Tag
BAPTISM OF THE ROYAL INFANT

The baptism of his Royal Highness the Infant
Prince, graudron of her Majesty the Queen and
of his Royal Highness the Prince Consort, eon of
their Royal Highnesses Albert Edward Prince of
Wales and the Princess of Wales, took place yes-
terday, at 1 o'clock, in the chapel within Bucking-
ham Palace. Due arrangements were made in the
chapel for the performance of the sacred rite. Two
rows of chairs, one on each side of the centre, were
appropriated to the use of the Queen, the sponsors,
and the royal personages invited to be present.
The principal compartments or pews, of which
there are four (two on either side of the chapel)
were assigned to the representative* of foreign
powers connected with the royal family, to the
cabinet ministers, and to the other official
dignitaries who were present without taking
an active part iu the ceremony. The altar was
lined with crimson velvet, panelled with gold lace,
and on the Commuuiou•table were placed golden
vessels used in the Sacrament. Seats of crimson
and gold were ranged within the rails of the Com-
munion-table for the officiating clergy.
The font was placed in advance of the bent pas,
immediately at the bead of the two rows of chairs
appropriated to the Queen, the sponsors, and the
members of the royal families present or represen-
ted upon the occasion. The font itself is a beauti-
fully formed taus of silver-gilt, the rim represent-
, ing the leaves and flowers of the water•lily, whilst
the base from which springs its graceful stem is
grouped with cherubs playing the lyre. In front
are the royal arms. The font was placed on a fluted
plinth of white and gold. Over the altar was a
tine piece of tapestry, representing the baptism of
our Saviour.

The band and choir were placed in the gallery,
and consisted of the choir of her Majesty's Chapel
Royal, St. James's and the choir of the Queen's
private chapels, together with her Majesty's private
band, assisted and strengthened by several other
eminent vocal and instrumental performers. The
following is a programmeof the music perforated
on the occasion :

March—" Scipio "

Chorale (the woede by Thomas tH. It. H. the Prince
Oliphant) I Consort.
Praise the Lord with heart and voice,
Thro' the land let all rejoin,
While our Prince's new-born heir
To the holy font we bear.
From the dawn of early youth
May be walk is faith and truth ;
Bless, 0 Lord, this holy scene,
Hier our Princess, Prince, and Queen.
Hymn
I will give thanks to Thee, 0 Lord,
And magnify Thy holy name.
How greet god wonderful art Thou
In all the world, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts.
Chorus—" Creation "
The Heavens are telling the glorx of God,
The wonder of Hie works diasays the firmament.

liarth—" Fall of Babylon " Spohr.
The solo parts of Haydn's chorus from the
Creation, " The Heavens are telling," were sung
by Miss Hanks, Mr. Montem Smith, and Mr. L.
Thomas. The performance was conducted by Mr.
Anderson, the director of ber Majesty's private
bands. Mr. Cumin', the organist of the Queen's
private chapel, presided at the organ.
The Foreign Ministers, Cabinet Ministers, and
others invited to the solemnity, assembled iu
the lower dining-room at Buckiugharu Palace at
half-past 12 o'clock, and, soon after their arrival,
were conducted to the seats provided for them in
the chapel.
The Royal personages having been conducted to
their seats, and the great officers and other attend-
ants having taken their appointed places on either
side of the Chapel, the service commenced with the
performance by the band of the chorale,

Praia* the Lord with heart and voice,
and the hymn,
I will give thanks lo Theo, 0 Lord.

When the music ceased the Lord Chamberlain,
accompanied by the Groom of the Stole to his
Royal Highness the Prince of Wales and the Cham-
berlain to her Royal Highness the Princess of
Wales, conducted the infant Prince into the Chapel,
his Royal Highness being carried by the bead
nurse (Mrs. Clark), and attended by the Countess
of Macclesfield, one of the Ladies of the Bedcham-
ber to her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales.
The royal infant was attired in a robe of Honiton
lace, the same that was worn by his Royal High-
ness the Prince of Wales at his christening, with a
cap of Honiton lace, a cloak of crimson velvet
hued with ermine, and a mantle of white satin
edged with Moulton lace.
When the Archbishop of Canterbury commenced
the prayer, " Almighty everliving Ood," the
Countess of Macclesfield gave the infant Prince to
the Queen, who handed his Royal Highness to the
Archbishop. On reaching the portion of the ser-
vice for the naming of the chi(d, the Archbishop
demanded of the sponsor) how it abouhi be named.
The Queen answered