The Express.
London, England, 1863-03-07 00:00:00

ETON AND WINDSOR.

As to the arrangements outside, the inhabitants
both of Sion and of Wiadsor have completed their.
preparatiyqa. A most exhilaratiag and pleasing
spectacle is afforded to the spectator from Windsor-
bridge. As far as the eye can reach in the direc-
tion of • Eton there is a continuous boulevard—
poles being raised at suitable distances with festoons
of laurel leaves interspersed with roses, pink,
white, and yellow, trailed-from pole to pole. All
the,hquaes in the line of p n are decorated
either with garlands oof or flags, or
paintings, or mottoes bidding welcome and 'happi-
ness to the ' ex-period bride and bridegroom.
On the Windbor Bids of the bridge the green
traeery is continued wp to the Usstle-hill. There
is, moreover, a very handsome triumphal arch on
this aids of the bridge, where the Mayor of Wind-
sor, Mr. Halosqm, will receive the royal party and
' present an address. The Curfew Tower, which
would present an incongrnohs appearance, is it is
undergoing repelled:id surrounded with scaffolding,
is covered with immense flags of all nations, which
removes to Boise extent the unsightly new'
The moat .utiful part of the external Windsor
preparations is undoubtedly the arch at the Castle-
hill This is really an elegant structure, and quite
classic in its appearance. It rests upon marbled
pillars, which are tastefully • festooned with laurel
braachea, ram, &c. It bears on both sides a
conspicuous " Welcome." . There are medallion

portrae of the .rrinoe each Princess, and the
'Ciphers "P. A." and "P. W." There are varie-
gated lamps thickly interspersed amongst the thick
foliage of the arch, and no doubt, when lighted, the
appearance will be striking: Al that is wanted is a
has -dal hi wake the joy universal!.
The first prooession will belie the mete* et the
Castle moon after half-prat 11. The marriage cere-
mony will conameece precisely at half-past 12, and.
will be performed by his Grace the Archbishop of
Canterbury. Prince Christian of Denmark and
the Duke of Cambridge will give away the royal
bride. The Prince of Wales's uncle, the Duke of
Ease Cobourg and Gotha, and his brother-in-law,
the Crown Prince of Prussia, will act u " best'
men " of the Prince on this occasion, and give away
his royal highness., Prince Alfred was to have
assisted at this happy event, but his recent severe
illness has since put aside every chance of his being
able to attend.

The south door of fit. George's Chapel, Wind-
sor Castle, will be open at 10 o'clock a.m., on
Tuesday next, for the admission of visitors having
tickets for the nave and galleries, and that the
door will be closed at 11 o'clock.

The principal retail drapery firma at the West-
end, also in the City, the Edgware-road, sod in other
parts of London, have signified their intention of remaining
closed on the 7th sod 10th inst.

EDINBURGH GIFT TO Mg Pitt Nenfit ALEX-
ANDRA.—The ladies of Edinburgh are not to be alone io the
city in offering a bridal gift to the Princess Alexandra. The
highland companies of our gallant rifle volunteers have
arranged to tender their homage and good wishes to her
royal highness in the shape of • magnificent highland
brooch. The basis of this splendid piece of jewellery is • wide
circlet of silver, richly enamelled with an elaborate runic
tainted ornament, above which the initial letters of the Chris-
tian names of the Prince and Princess are raised in gold.
The gimlet is surmounted by • crowned shield of gold,
having the armorial bearinp of the Primo as Duke of Roth-
say, and the royal arms of Denmark impaled upon it, the
crown set with pearls. The shield is supported upon Prince
of Wales' feather. in silver and thistle leaves in gold. Upon
• scroll under these is the ancient Scottish motto,
"In Defence, God me Defend." At each side
of the brooch is • deep-coloured cairngorm raised
upon a crown of gold, while below la a St. Andrew's
crown in enamel upon a setting of thistles formed of
pearls and amethysts. The whole is surrounded by
an engraved rim of gold, studded with Scotch pearls.
On the obverse is an inscription in Gaelic :—" Welcome
and Hail to the Daughter of Denmark—From the Land
of the Mountain. 1863." The elegant and elaborate
design for this very handsome and truly artistic work was
furnished by Mr. J. Drummond, R.S.A., and the work has
been executed with great skill and taste, iu an almost in-
credibly short space of time, by Messrs. G. and M.
Crichton, North Bridge, who are celebrated, not only here,
but in Loudon, for their works in Scottish jewellety. The
design was placed in their hands only on Monday List,
and the work is already complete, and may be seen in their
shop to-day and tomorrow, previous to Its despatch to
London to-morrow evening. We trust that the ladies who
have subscribed so. handsome • sum for • bridal gift will
will be e9ually fortunate in securing a tasteful anidcluirac-
teribtic piece of work. The speed with which this beau-
tiful brooch has been in little time prepared, shows
how much may be done ; but even though the gift should
not arrive till a day or two after the wedding, it ought by
all means be made a sellable, asd in every sense • Wilma
one.--Sosternen.
On Thursday and yeetenlay two splendid shawls,
manufactured by Mum. Clabbers', Sons. and Orisp, of
Norwich, and intended to be presented to the Princess
Alexandra, were exhibited to • select circle of friends of
the firm, and excited much admiration. The lord.lieute-
giant of the county (the Earl of Leicester), the Hon. W.
Coke, M.P.. Mr. E./ Howes 11. P., Mr. Brampeos Garden
M.P., Mr. G. Bullock, M.P., Mr. E. Warner, M.P., Sir El
Loan, M.P., Sir H. Steamy, MP., fir W. Bunch,lt. P.,
Sir W. Jour, the Mayes' of &evil*, Yarmouth, Lyng
Thetford, and other sent4mom hare sosalated to set on •
committee, to administer the fund raised for the presenta-
tive of the " Norwich gates' to the Prises, and which have
boon provisionally secured by Mr. R. J. Harvey, the late
high sheriff.