The Express.
London, England, 1867-06-22 00:00:00

THE QUEEN'S COURT.

The Queen held a court at Buckingham Palace
yesterday afternoon.
The Queen wore a black silk dress, with a train spotted
with jet and trimmed with fringes and jet ; and the usual
cap and veil of white crepe Base with a diadem of
diamonds and opals. Her Majesty also wore a diamond
necklace, brooch, and ear-rings ; the Riband and the Star
of the Order of the Garter, and the Victoria and Albert
Order.

The Princess Louise wore a train of blue and white silk
trimmed with blue and white satin, and a petticoat of
white tulle over white glace trimmed with blue and white.
Head-dress : blue couvolvulus, feathers, and veil ; diamond
ornaments ; and the orders of Victoria and Albert and of
St. IsabeL
Prince Arthur wore cadet's uniform.
Prince Leopold was in full Highland dress.

The Prince of \Vales and Prince and Princess
Christian are expected to visit Paris next week. On
Wednesday the Prince of Wales, accompanied by the
Prince of Teok and Prince Edward of Saxe-Weimar, and •
large party of distinguished guests, dined at the Trafalgar,
at Greenwich. On Thursday night the Prince of Wales
honoured Lady Molesworth with his presence to witness
toUeaux ricants. The Count and Countess de Paris, the
Duke and Duchess d'Aumale, the Prince and Princess
Edward of Saxe-Weimar, and the Prince of Teck likewise
were present, and a small circle were invited.
His Excellency the Prussian Ambassador and
Countess Bernstorif have delayed their departure for
Germany oa account of the expected arrival of the Queen
of Prussia, who will in • few days arrive in this country on
a visit to the Queen at Windsor. The Count and Countess
Berustorff will go to Dover on Monday to receive her
Majesty. . _

The marriage of Lord Waterpark with the Lady
Constance Finch-Hatton, eldest daughter of the Earl and
Countess of Winchilees and Nottingham, is fixed to take
place on Thursday, the 11th of July.
_ . _ . _

Lady Herheit of Lea has issued cards for an as-
sembly on the 2nd proximo.
The annual event known u the Royal Grand
Caledonian and Fancy Dress Ball came off last night at
Willis's Booms, under the patronage of the Prince and
Princess of Wales. Many of the gentlemen present were
attired in the Highland garb. There were also some very
handsome fancy costumes. Owing to Lady Fife's illness,
the Marchioness Townaheed did not organise the costume
quadrille her ladyship had contemplated. None of the
royal family were present, but a number of foreigners of
rank belonging to the different embassies in London
attended the gathering.
The annual fish dinner of the Fox Club will
take place at the Trafalgar, Greenwich, on Saturday next.

" A rumour that the wife of a duke and the
wife of a bishop are about to appear in public as singers,"
says the Atlienaves, " will probably be enough, in our
wonder-seeking society, to fill even Exeter Hall with an
eager audience. For once the good-natured public will be
right in following its instincts. The cause which has won
the goodwill of a host of patrons, and which has decided
the Duchess of Newcastle and kin. Ellicott to appear in
public—the desire to assist with funds the Home of Relief
for Children with Chronic Diseases of the Joints—is worthy
of every one's helping hand ; and even those of the audi-
tory who may be drawn to Exeter Hall on Wednesday,
July 3, in order to enjoy the exhibition of talents which
are loudly vaunted in society, will have the malefaction of
knowing that the children of the poor will be benefited by
their curiosity." The oratorio selected for performance is
Herr Schachner's Israel's Return from Babylon.

The President and Council of the Royal Institu-
tion of British Adtiiteets have issued cards for an evening
reception for Monday next, June 24.

Oxford has voted 5001. from the University
funds in aid of the explorations now going forward in
Palestine.

The committee representing the Irish members
of both Houses of Parliament held a meeting yesterday
and agreed to the basis of an arrangement for the &sump.
tion of the Irish railways by the State. The heads of the
plan are stated to be that the lines shall be managed for
three years by a commission ; that they shall then be
leased, with definite conditions as to fares, he. ; and that
Ireland shall guarantee the Treasury against loss. These
suggestions will be laid to-day before a general meeting of
the noblemen and gentlemen who composed the deputa-
tion to Lord Derby on Thursday.
A letter from Rome, in the Westminster Gazette,
says :—" The Archbishop of Westminster arrived last
Friday, and has put up at the humble house of the Oblates
of St. Charles at San Nicolo in Arcione. He bad au
audienoe of the Holy Father yesterday, who received him
with cordial affection. England was naturally the subject
of their conversation, and I have just bad from the lips of
his grace a stirring account of the earnest sad affectionate
way in which the Pope spoke of the people under his
care, and charged him to convey his benediction to them ;
raising his hands to Heaven be blessed God for the won-
derful way in which, through the adverse vicissitudes of
the world, He brings about events for the greater diffusion
of the faith."

Among the fetes to be given on the occasion of
the visit of the Sultan to Paris is • grand review to take
place at the camp of ChAlong. Its said that the sovereign
of Turkey will rpend a day at Corsica on his way to France.
It is said that a grand banquet will be offered to
Napoleon 111. by the exhibitor, of the Universal Exhibi-
tion.