The Express.
London, England, 1862-08-20 00:00:00

THZ PORESTIES' PiTZ AT THE CRYSTAL

PA44OE.

The attendance at the fête yesterday Mended all
penalise' sad expectation. The number of proses pria_
seat wes not lees than 83,721, which exceeds by some 16,000
the largest number ever before known to have entered the
palms in one day.
At one o'clock, the hour arranged by the committee for
commencing the business of the day, there were at last
.50,630 persona in the palace and grounds. At that bow a
promotion was %mad= the upper terrace, soesielieg of the
officers and members of the various coal; wearing their
regalia, and in which about 10,000 of the • Ancient Order"
took part. The proemial: was headed by the band of the
4th Leedom, or Foresters' Rifle Corps ; and accompanied by
the bands of the London Irish, the Duke of York's
School, and three or four umbras. bands, made a
tour of the meads, amidst the loud cheers of the
spectators, a large proportion of whom were foreigners.
The "grand tour" having been succeastally accomplished,
the company dispersed over the palace pounds. soma to
the refreshment departments, and others to seek those
amusements moat congenial to their feelings. In this
respect ample provision had bees made by the committee
in the shape of archery, cricket, boating, gymnastic', ka.
Those who preferred music were regaled to the full by the
numerous bands stationed in different parts of the meads,
sod within the building by the excellent orchestra
attached to the palace. At 4 o'clock M. Blossilin went
through his extraordinary performances, concluding with
the feat of wheeling a Forester in a barrow the whole
length of the rope. Immediately at the conclusion of H.
feats a display of the whole series of foasteias
took place ; after which domain ou the green sward and the
old-fashioned game of "kir in the ring" commenced, and
was kept up with unflagging spirit until dark.
Notwithstanding the vast assemblage, nothing occurred to
mar the harmony and good humour that everywhere pre
irealod, except that teemed@ the close of the day the extra-
ordinary strain on the refreshment department had almost
shared the stores of the purveyor, and those who had not
=had him at an earlier hour were obliged to content
Yee by slaking their thirst at the numerous drinking
fountains placed about the mends.
When it beams meetly dark, everybody was anxious to
get home, sad • general rush took place towards the railway-
station, and the crushing here for arreral hours was terrific.
The exit from the Palace on a moderately full day
is a great labour, but on such a day as ves=act
it is a feat that appals even the mast stout-hen
The railway officials did all in their power, and
though extra trains were brought- into requisition the
lobbies and avenues of the stations were blocked up till
midnight by impatient crowds, and the early hours had
commenced before the last of the Tillie," were brought up
to town. At ten o'clock at night there IMO at least 10,000
persons waiting about the palace for conveyance to sons.
Hundreds had, loag before that hoar, given up all idea at
transit home by railway, and, the night being fine, resolved
• to walk home or take the chance et a " lift" on the way.
• It ally remains to be said that this was the most suo-
armful of all Foresters' days, and the profits from which
will be given to the widow and orphan fund °Decocted with
the London district of the " Anoint Order."