The Express.
London, England, 1865-08-26 00:00:00

THE NAVAL FETES AT BREST.

(molt ous 0011112SPOIDIWT,)
BREST. Tainuniar Mosiinta.
The ball on board the Ville de Lyon wee a
memorable affair. The Ville de Lyon is no
old bulk laid up in ordinary, but a commissioned
man-of-war carrying all her guns, and fit to go to
sea to-morrow. On this occasion all her three
decks were transformed into sumptuous saloons, for
the reception of 3,000 guests. All the cabins were
richly carpeted, and studded with luxurious sofas
and arm chairs. The poop was converted into
a shrubbery, with gravel walks, box edges, and
flower beds. Twenty thousand wax lights of
gigantic diameter were arranged in chande-
liers all made of arms pistols, swords,
bayonets and handpikes, so that every light had
its reflector in polished armour. Around the large
raised orchestra in the centre of the main deck
were clustered a host of chubby cherubims in the

shape of " pupils of the navy," sitting crumpled up
in very close quarters with their miniature muskets
and bayonets in hand, and peering down upon the
dancers through roses and ivy. The first-gun deck
was a refreshment room, supplied all the evening
long with champagne, and the beet Bordeaux and
Burgundy. The deck below that was a supper room,
where, when the proper time came, huge masses of
roast beef, in honour of the English guests, salmon,
lobsters, fowls, balms, pineapples, and every con-
ceivaSle luxury, were oomeatable In abundance,
together with the finest wines without stint. The
invitations were issued in the name of the Maritime
Prefect, the General Commanding the Sub-division,
the Major-General of Marine, the Commandant of
the place, and the Staff of the Maritime Pre-
fecture ; and they were given to the Duke of
Somerset, the Lords and other members of the
Admiralty, the Admirals, Captains, and Staff of
her Britannic Majesty. The ball cost at least

3,0001.
Abd-el-Kader left for Paris at noon yesterday. I
was at the railway station when he drove up In a
small open fly, accompanied only by two gentlemen
in plain clothes. Ilia costume never narks. He
waa cheered by the groups about the station, and
lie saluted repeatedly with much warmth and
grace.
It was one of the Edgar's boats which won the
rowing mateh. James Ede is the name of the cox-1
swain. An officer of the ship tells me that the prize
actually delivered was 250 franca iu money. 23
boats took part in the race. The English sailors
say that the French laughed at the Edgar boat
when it started because it had only 12 oars, while
many of theirs bad 10 and 18. The French were
also puzzled to think how the English rowers could
steal over the water so quietly as tnoy did without
"bending their backs." However, I think it only
fair to say that I bear something about the Edgar's
boat in question having been built expressly for
racing, and it is said that none of the ordinary
English men-of-war boats will run against her. If
this be so, her victory in the smooth water which
there was in the Harbour on Tuesday proves very
tittle.
Yesterday was • day of many dinners in the I
fleet. A friend has mt himself to great trouble
to give me the bill of fare of the Admiral's dinner on
board the Solferino, but I cannot think of taking
up a quarter of one of your columns with it.
Of the particular " solemnity" in question
can conscientiously report that it comprised
" all the delicacies of the season," and those who do
not know what that menus when speaking of •
dinner laid out by Potel and Chabot, would Dot
be wiser if they read the ingenious and imaginative,
French names of the dishes.
The ward-room officers of the French squadron
entertained the ward-room officers of the English
squadron, to the number of eighty or ninety, on
board the Couroune. One midshipman who, think-
ing he was on duty, bad been waiting for two hours
in a boat alongside the Couronue, was seized neck
and shoulders by some Frenchofficers, who insisted
upon his dining with them, and hauled him into
the ship ; thus the youngster had the extraordinary
treat of sharing the officers' grand banquet.
Simultaneously the French middies (called aspi-
rants) gave a dinner to the English midshipmen on
board the Normandie. The entire gun-deck was
cleared to set out the tables, and 200 sat down to
dinner. "The health of the Emperor of the
French" was proposed by midshipman Gye.
The English squadron weighs anchor at one
to-day. French pleasure steamers advertise for
excursionists to accompany it as far as Caps St.
Matthew. The weather ever since Sunday has
been delightful.

THE CHANNEL FLEET.

PORMOUTII, AUGUST 25.

The Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty
arrived at Portsmouth this morning. from Bred, in the Oa.
borne, paddle yacht, Commander John d'Arcy, and En-
chantress, Staff-Commander J. E. Polley. The aemr•ie-
aionen on board were the First Lord, his Grace the Duke
of Somerset; Admiral the Hoo. Sir F. Grey, 0.0.11., Rear-
Admiral R. G. Fa csba we,C.B., and Rear-Admiral J. R. Drum-
mond, acoompanied by the secretary to the board, Lord C.
Paget. and Captain Hall, secretary to the First Lord.
Amongst other paiseepre ea board the yaohts wsa Earl de
Grey and Ripen. On catering the harbour their lordships
received a salute of 19 guns from the Victory fisg-ship,
and on anchoring they were visited by Admiral
Sir Michael Seymour, G.G.8., Rear-Admiral George
Greying Wellesley, 0.13., and the captains and oommanden
of whips in harbour. At half-pest twelve the Admiralty
flag wu struck on board the Osborne, and their lordships,
after going on board the Duke of Wellington. thru-decker,
to witness the preparations made for the banquet to be
given to the French officers on board that ship, pro.
needed to the Royal Naval College, also to ezamine the
arrangements made for the entertaiementa to be given
there.

SOUTHAMPTON, FRIDAY Nicer.

The Channel Islands Mail Packet, which has
just arrived, reports that the Beet, ottesittmg of six shire,
m proceeding up Channel in two division,. It wu met
about twenty miles from the Needles.

Prince and Princess Vogoeidee have left town to
speed a few weeks at St. Lersoardhros-See.
His Excellency the kurkish Ambassador left the
Turkish Emissary yesterday to join Madame Mumma and
family at St. lamina 'e.
The Duchess of Hamilton (nle Princess Mary of
Baden) has arrived at Bedeu•Baden from Paris. The duke
sad lady Mary have accompanied the dashes*.
The Duke of Somerset arrived at his official
madam at the Admiralty. Whitehall, yesterday. from
areompacyiag the that to Cherbourg sad Brat.
The Earl de Grey arrived yesterday at his house
in Guitoa-gaidens, from attssdiag is th s suite of the naval
ssisedros to Cherhostri awl Brest.
Lard 140•8 dare not leave for Constantinople,
tweeter aorta We diplomatic duties as ambassador, instil
the week after next.
1 The committee of the Emancipation Society
have anted an addmes, samesashig the dimeintime of that
asesaiseice.