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

THE KING OF PRUSSIA AND COUNT
BISMARCK IN PARIS.

(now oui °wig

PARIS. WILDNIEFIDAT EVEMNO.

If the crowd at the Northern Railway station to
see the King of Prussia and M. de Bismarck on
their arrival in Paris was not quite so great as that
which assembled on June 1 to see the Emperor of
Russia and Prince Gortchakoff, the only reason
was that King William arrived with excessive
punctuality. His train came in before the clock
struck four, whereas there was a general impres-
sion that, as the Czar had done, he would not come
before half-past 4. Numbers of people were seen
flocking to the environs of the station several
minutes after the King had left it on
his way to the Tuileries. Tho scene of
the reception within the station was precisely,
to all outward appearance, a repetition of that of
the Czar. Baron de Rothschild, as chairman of
the railway company, was there, and the hangings
and decorations, looking of course none the worse
for only one day's previous use, were there to serve
again. The Emperor Napoleon was there to receive
his guest. Ho handed him out of the train and
shook hands with him cordially with both
hands. The select company, official for the
mist part, which was provided with seats in
the station, took off their hats and waved
handkerchiefs with marked politeness if not
with enthusiasm. A very few minutes indeed
were loot at the station before the procession to the
Tuileries set out. The order was just the same as
that for the Czar, with this difference—that the
Cent Gerdes did not form part of the escort ; and,
so far, the reception was less pompous. It had
been stated that at the King of Prussia's special
desire he would go through the streets of Paris in
an open gala carriage. This request, if made,
must have been withdrawn, for the carriage
which conveyed his Majesty was a close one
—probably the very same in which the Czar
rode five days ago. In this carriage the Em-
peror Napoleon sat on the King of Prussia's
left hand. Opposite the Emperor was the
Prince Royal of Prussia, and opposite the King'
Prince Murat. The King, the Emperor, and the
Prince of Prussia were all in uniform. In the
second carriage, escorted by one of the Emperor's
orderly officers, was Count de Bismarck, who wore
the white uniform of a general of Cuirassiers of
the Prussian guard. The numerous suite followed
in other court carriages. The Princess Royal,
who had been passing the morning with
her husband in the forest of Compiegne and
visiting the Castle of Pierrefonds, did not join
the official procession, although she must have
come to Paris in the King's train from the Com-
piegne station. The regiments drawn up to receive
the King at the station were two that had greatly
suffered in war—the 43rd, which lost a great many
men in the Crimea, and the 90th,which was decimated
at the siege of Puebla. The Boulevard de Stras-
bourg was well lined throughout with spectators,
and most of the windows and balconies were alive
with curious heads. But although the bourgeoisie
offered seats which were readily accepted to their
numerous friends, there were no places let
for money, as when the Queen of England came
here in 1855. Then 10fr. and even 20fr. were
readily paid for good places. The point which I
selected to see the King was on the Boulevard de
Sebastopol. There a Prussian cried, " Viva
l'Empereur d'Allemagne and the cry was re-
peated ironically by a good many people. For the
most part, however, there were no cries at all. The
Parisian population is intelligent enough to feel its
part of the responsibility of receiving a guest, and

to know that it is ill-bred to insult him even
although he is a king.
Some of the evening papers speak with great
severity of the students and junior barristers who
insulted the Emperor of Russia yesterday, and say
very truly that they were a small minority not
moved by any irresistible impulse, but who deli-
berately wished to make themselves conspicuous..
The Bourse closed without animation, and
scarcely any change in the Rente.
Besides the grand ball at the Hotel de Ville on
Saturday, for which 8,000 ( !) invitations have been
issued, there will be four more in the course of the
summer.

THE TWO EMPERORS, THE EMPRESS, AND THE
RUSSIAN GRABD DUKES AT THE OPERA.

The state performance at the Grand Opera at
Paris in honour of the Emperor of Built and the Grand
Dukes took place on Tuesday night. The neighbourhood
of the theatre was a blaze of light, as, in addition to the
ordinary illuminations with the letter N and imperial
crown, long lines of gas ran all over the front of the build-
ing in fantastic forms. All the long peristyle outside was
adorned with muses of dowers and green shrubs, and
the vestibule and staircase by which the sovereigns
were to make their entrance were covered with
an immense carpet of crimson velvet extending
to the corridor above. The interior of the theatre was
lighted it Tarn° by one immense chandelier in the centre
and about a dozen smaller ones around, suspended from
the roof over the pit. The box prepared for the imperial
party comprised all those marked on ordinary occasions
from 18 to N, with the addition of • large portion of the
amphitheatre, so as in fact to form a long semi-circular
salon,hung with gorgeous drapery of crimson velvet and
gold. In the centre were arranged three thrones for the
two Emperors and the Empress ; and at the sides were
placed fifteen armchairs for the other members of the
court party. The imperial arms in gold were displayed in
the centre of the lofty canopy which surmounted the box,
and a similar high emblem of dignity appeared below, just
under the part where the two Emperors' seats were
placed.

Places were given as usual beforehand, but at prices
three times above the ordinary charge. Even on such
conditions to secure • seat was • difficult matter, and on
the day of the representation, 200 fr. and 300 fr. were asked
outside for a salle d'orchestra. The doors opened at 8,
and by 9 o'clock every seat in the house was filled except
those set apart for the ambassadors and other high official
personages. At that hour all the space under the state-
box was occupied by splendidly dressed women, glittering
with diamonds ; whilst, beyond, appeared an immense
mass of gentlemen in ordinary evening dress.
" The boxes," says Gal ignani, " contained all that
Paris possesses of persons distinguished for wealth,
position, or fashion. Amongst the first arrivals was
Marshal Canrobert, who, with Madame la Marechale and
other ladies, entered a box on the right looking towards
the stage. Beyond was to be sees Baron James de Rothe-
child, Baron Gustave, and several ladies resplendent with
diamonds. The Duchess de Mouchy was seated at the
left of the imperial esteade, wearing • magnificent diadem.
A little later the Princess de Metternich entered the
box appropriated on every-day cases to the Emperor's
use, but at present assigned to the ambassadors
and their families. The princess was a perfect blaze
of diamonds, several long strings of beautiful gems being
disposed in artistic confusion over her neck, and a mag-
nificent decoration being displayed on her left shoulder.
She was dressed in white, which indeed was the prevalent
colour of the evening. Djemil-Paoha, M. Mon, the Prince
de Metternich, and other ambassadors were in the
box close by. On the same side were also seated the
Countess Pourtales and the Marchioness de Galliffet
together. In all directions about, were to be seen the
ministers, high officials, and personages of note. At about
a quarter to 10 a roll of the drums announced that the
court party was arriving. Their Majesties were received
on arriving by M. Perrin with the usual ceremonial, and
conducted to a salon disposed outside the state box. After
a moment's pause, the whole party arranged them-
selves in the order of their going and entered the salle.
The Emperor of Russia advanced first, leading in the Em-
press of the French ; coining forward to the front of the
box her Majesty curtsied lowly and the Czar bowed, and
then stood before the seats prepared for them. The Em-
peror Napoleon came next with the Princess Royal of
Prussia, and then the other high personages in the follow-
ing order :—The Emperor in the centre, the Czar at the
French monarch's left; next, the Empress; the Prince
Royal of Prussia, Grand Duchess Maria of Russia, Duke
of Leutchenoerg, Princess Mathilde, Prince Louis of
Hesse, Princess Murat, Prince George of Mecklenburg,
and the brother of the Tycoon. All this line was on the
left looking towards the stage. On the right, next the
Emperor Napoleon was seated the Princess Royal of
Prussia ; the Cesarewitch ; the Princess Alice of Hesse ;
Prince \Vladimir ; the Princess Eugene of Leuchtenberg ;
Prince of Saxe-Weimar; and Prince Joachim Murat. The
two Emperors were dressed as general officers, wearing
each the Grand Cordon of the other's Order. The Empress
wee in white, with a profusion of magnificent diamonds,
and looking exoeedingly handsome. The other ladies all
wore • profusion of precious stones, and were without
exception, if our dazzled sight served us right, in
white. The Grand Duke \Vladimir wore a white
uniform, and he, as well as the rest, displayed
several orders. Behind, in the box, were to
be seen a close moss of uniforms, stars, cordons,
and all the rich ormaments which rank and wealth dis-
play. At each end of the box below stood a Cent-Carde,
and at each side of the stage near the noses stood another,
all being relieved from time to time. The moment the
high personages appeared, the house rose to receive thew.
They took their places in succession, and the whole line
then stood in front of the long range of seats. The sight
was then one of extraordinary magnificence, as, in addi-
tion to the court-party and their splendid dresses, every
part of the theatre displayed a vast agglomeration of uni-
forms, precious stones, embroidery, orders, youth, and
beauty. Behind the imperial line, besides, stood marshals,
generals, chamberlains, orderly officers, and ladi es of honour,
and the suites of foreign princes. No manifestation what-
ever was made when the party entered, and the find sound
that broke the silence was the orchestra commencing the
National Hymn of Russia. All continued standing during
the execution, and then, the occupants of the imperial box
giving the example, the audience took their seats and the
performance began. The fourth act of the Africaine was
given first, and was most attentively followed by the
august spectators, the young Russian Princes being appa-
rently quite 'belched in what they witnessed. The Empe.
ror Napoleon conversed repeatedly with the Princess
Royal of Prussia., the Czar generally remaining silent,
and the Empress, on her side, spoke frequently with the
Prince of Prussia. No great attention was paid to
the representation by the general public, ' metal
more attractive ' being found in the line of im-
perial and royal personages in the front box. After that
had terminated, the whole party rose and withdrew for
half an hour to the retiring-room outside. On their re-
turn the second act of the ballet Giadle was given, all the
best dancers in the establishment taking part in the per-
formance. As soon as it was over the public withdrew, as
on any ordinary night. The imperial carriages soon after
drew up outside, and as the Emperor and the Empress ap-
peared, in the same order as before, the persons inside the
vestibule cheered loudly. The carriages then drove on,
but without any manifestation outside. All was over at
five minutes past 12, but the boulevards were crowded for
an hour later. The night was delightfully cool, and all
the rich equipages of Paris had to pass by, so that the
persons in the streets could not have found their stay in
any way irksome."

The Temps of to-day says, "On Tuesday evening, while
the Emperor of Russia was on his way to the Opera, a
certain number of spectators, as be was passing by, cried
out, ` Vive la Tologne r The police immediately inter-
fered, and numerous arrests took place. We vainly ask
ourselves what there can be of sedition in the cry which
provoked such unexpected severity."

The Emperor Alexander has accepted the invi-
tation of the city of Paris for the grand ball to take place
at the Hotel de Vile on Saturday. The demand for invi-
tations is so great that letters of application are no longer
opened.

The Prussian government have organised excur-
sion trains from Berlin to Ririe, on the lines belonging to
the state, at a reduction on the ordinary fares of to per
cent. These trains run once a week, and tickets are
available for 40 days. The private companies have made
similar arrangements.