The Express.
London, England, 1863-06-15 00:00:00

THE ROYAL VISIT TO OXFORD.

The festivities attendant on the commemoration
of founders and benefactors have already commenced, and
the university sod city have assumed a gaiety surpassing the
remembrance of the present generation of Oxford plea-
sure seekers. The first event of any importance which has
taken place was the exercise of Bachelor of Music by the
Bey. W. H. Bliss, 8.A., of Exeter College, performed in
the ball of Exeter College at 2 o'clock on Saturday after-
noon, the subject being the Prayer-book version of the third
Prim. The exercise was supported by &chorus of members
of the university and a select band under the cooductorship
of Herr Drichmano.
On Sunday the various college chapels, cathedral, and
parish churches, were crowded.
The early part of to-day will, as usual, be devoted to an
inspection of the neighbourhood of Oxford, the park, palace.
and gardens of Blenheim, the seat of his grace the Duke of
Marlborough ; the gardens and perks of Nunebam, late the
seat of the Countess of Waldegreve, through which the
Prince and Prioress will ;ass on alighting at the Great
Western Railway, at Culham station, being the mom in-
teresting and attractive objects to visitors.
A promeoade concert in aid of the funds of the band of
the god Oxford Rifle Volunteer Corps will be held in the
morning between ten and twelve, in the gardens of
Merton College, which are now for the first time throws
open to the public, and in the evening concerts sod balls
will be held in many of the college halls.
The inhabitants of the villages on the road from the
Great Western Railway to Oxford are making preparations
to give the royal party ► kind reception as they pass through
Culham, Nooeham, Sandford. and Littlemore, by erecting
triumphal arches, and also evincing other demonstrations
of loyalty and affection. On arriving at Oxford the royal
visitors will receive addresses from the university and city
authorities opposite Magdalen College, where two large
platforms have been erected for the accommodation of
visitors and others; adjoining St. Mary's Church and in
other parts of High-street similar 'thirds have been built.
in the schools' quadrangle, the pavement from the Guinea-
gate to the entrance of the Cloisters (known as the pig
market), adjoining the Divinity School, has been covered in,
and accommodation for 1,000 people has been made.
Two hundred of the A division of police will be quartered
at the Maidenhead Hotel.

Their Royal Highnesses the Duchess of Cam-
bridge and the Prisms Mary honoured the Duke and
Duchess of Manchester with their company at dinner on
Saturday evening. in Great Stanhope-street. There were
present, to meet their royal bleariness, Maria kiarchioner
et. Ailtabiuy, Earl Granville, the Berl and Countess of
Derby, the Earl and Counter of Malmeabury, the Earl
of Sandwich, and Viscount and Viscountess Newport.
lady Geraldine Somerset and Colonel Home Panes
I were in attendance on the royal party. The Ditcher
of Manchester had afterwards a reception.
The Lord Primate entertained at dinner on Satur-
day at Lambeth Palace the Duke and Duchess of Marlbo-
rough, the Earl and Countess of Zetlard, the Viscount and
Viscourtre Pelham, Lord and Lady de Roe and the Hoe.
Miss de Roo. Lord Taunter, the Bishop of Winchester, the
Bishop of St. &mph, Mr. and Lady Mary Egerton, Hon.
Robert Bourke, Hon. Mr. and Mrs. Bertie Percy and Mir
Percy, Colonel Seymour, Mr. and Mrs. Greenwood, Mr.
Mare, Mies Coles, &n. . _

Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess
d'Atunale honoured the Countess Frances Wald/piss and
Mr. Fatima% H.P., with their company on Saturday
eves* ►t Strawberry-kill. The following were present to
mast their royal hi/barmen :—The Duke of Newcastle, the
Marquis and Marchiocess of Claaricarde, the Earl and
Countess Grey, the Earl ad Canter Somers, the Farl of
04reodoo and Lady CouMancu Villiers, Lord and Lady
Smoky of Alderley and the Hoe. Miss Stanley, Lord and
Lady Honeys, Count Mateo, Mr. Bernal Osborne, M.P.,
Mr. Henry Greats% Mr. Sseyd, Mr. Phillips, &c. His
Royal Highness the Coast de Paris dated with the countess
sod Kr. Fortescue Let e►ening.. -

The Marquis of Bowmont left town on Saturday
Co • flab's( exeurrios is Norway.
The Earl Cowley, ambassador at the Tuileries,
is expected to arrive in tone at the sod of the present
mouth oa a abort here of stemma from Parts

His Royal Highness the Prince of Orange hon-
oured the Premier and Vivo:maim Pahnessioa with lie
ormyany at dieser on Saturday evert*, at Candid*
Home.