The Express.
London, England, 1858-02-02 00:00:00

The earlier visitors this morning came by the I
ordinary trains ; the two which left London at eight
o'clock were fall when they started, and although,
being parliamentary trains, they were obliged to stop
at the intermediate statioo,not more than half a dozen
of the crowds waiting at them could manage to
squeeze in. But the utmost good humour prevailed,
and many of the carriages were allowed to convey
double their complement of passengers. Then came
the specials, both the North Kent and Tilbury lies
put on expresses for the day; sad so well
patronised have they been, that at the time these
linos are written, great anxiety seems to be how
to get book to town again. Every quarter of an hoer
brings a stream of fresh visitors, and there is every
prospect that even after the arrival of the royal
party, the ery will be " still they come." But not
alone has the metropolis and the intervening towns and
districts contributed to the number of spectators ;
Essex, Hent, and their neighbouring counties have
helped to swell the multitude. Not a tithe could be
able to witness the procession from the railway
to the Terrace Pier, and thousands haring
made the discovery in time, partook themselves
to the river. The water was literally bridged over
with boats and steamers, but the vessels that are to
form the royal flotilla were encircled by men-of-war
guard boats, cutters, and the barges of the Thames
Police.

Soon after nine o'clock the visitors who had
teemed seats either to view the land procession
or the departure by water began to take up their
pontions, and before half-peat eleven o'clock, the
hour at which the first return train was dispatched,
almost every gallery wee full. In the meantime
the royal carriages, with their horses, had come
down by the North rent Railway, worn-
ponied by their respective attendants. At ones
they were got in readiness for the arrival of
their royal higluieres. Troops of metropolitan
police, regiments of militia, and companies
of marines were also brought by the same
railway, and immediately distributed along the line,
which was kept strictly clear of all strangers who
had not the right of entree. Admirable order was pre-
served during the entire morning, and am mid-day
was approaching the route presented an animated
and exciting appearance. Banda of music were
stationed at different points, and the air rang with
joyous and spirit-stirring strains.

The Station is handsomely decorated ; the np-
pladorm is covered with crimson cloth, and is flanked
with three rows of seats for distingnished visitors.
At the bottom station there is a barrier, and cane-bot-
tomed gilded chairs were provided by the noblemen
who received the Prince and Princess. The pillars
of the saloon are entwined with laurel.

The festivities are not to terminate with the de-
parture of the royal couple, indeed the substantial
gaieties of the day are reserved for the afternoon and
evening. The mayor entertains a large party, includ-
ing many of the visitors from town, at an elegant
dejenner, and after due justice has been done to his
worship's viands, the tables will be removed to make
way for a ball, to which the leading families of the
town are invited. Firework, and bon-
fires are to be the order of the night, and
there is some talk of a distribution of beef and
ale, or tea and cake. The great feature of the pro-
ceeding after runlet will be • monster bonfire on
the summit of Windmill-hill. Kent has ever been
famous for it, love of fire, and true to its traditions the
whole county appears to have made contributions to
this stupendous pile. If its flames are at all
in proportion to its bulk, the country for miles
round will be illuminated. Moat of the
taverns in the town announce music or dancing, and
similar attractions will be provided on the other side
of the river, in the saloons of the Tilbury Tea-gardens.
In a word, scarcely a street or a thoroughfare
is without some evidence of the determination of
the inhabitant, to par a merry night, and since
everybody appears bent upon giving himself
up to the joyous influences of the occasion there
can be no doubt that to-day will deserve to occupy a
conspicuous pegs in the local annals.

. -
The corps of the Royal Engineers furnishing the
guard of honour, consists of one captain, two sub-
alterns, five sergeants, and 100 rank and file,
together with the band of the corps. The Itoyal
Engineers have furnished one field officer, two
captains, seven subalterns, and 293 non-commis-
sioned officers and men, together with one field
calm, two captains, four subalterns, and 220 men
of all ranks of the Chatham division of Royal
Marine Light Infantry, with their band, to line the
streets through which the royal procession passes
from the railway station to the Terrace-pier. The
troops selected paraded at an early hour this
morning at Chatham, and proceeded to Gravesend
by special train, at eleven o'clock, and on their
arrival received their orders for the day from Bri-
gadier-Major C. S. E. Gordon. The Royal Marines
were ander the command of Lientenant-Colooel J. H.
Gsacoigne.

The iron paddle-wheel steam-vessel Princess Alice,
recently repaired and newly fitted out, proceeded to
Gravesend at ten o'clock this morning, for the con-
veyance of the Board of Admiralty to preside at the
tribulation. Commodore J. Shepherd hoisted his
pennant on board the Princess Alice, and took the
command to Gravesend. The Lords Commissioners
_ .

of the Admiralty arrived at Woolwich Dockyard at
nine a.m. The Princess Alice brings a splendid new
fourgon travelling-carriage, containing the luggage
of the Princess of Prussia, which arrived at the
dockyard, tinder an escort, yesterday afternoon.
'The Bustler, stem-vessel, left Woolwich harbour
at ten am., with the heads of the various depart-
ments, and the clerks, &0., employed at Woolwich
Dockyard, who, by permission of the Lords of the
Admiralty, will witness the embarkation.

A floating gangway, constructed at Woolwich,
has been attached to the end of the Terrace Pier;
and by its aid the Prince and Princess will be ena-
bled to walk on board the royal yacht without
descending the steps of the pier.

THE EMBARKATION.
(BY BRITISH AND IRISH MAGNETIC
TELEGRAPH.)
GRAVESEND, Timms o'CLocc.
_ _

The departure of the royal train from the Brick-
Myers' Arms terminus was telegraphed to the sta-
tion here, and forthwith the final arrangements
were made for receiving it. The station was crowded.
At Mtn. past 1 a shrill whistle heard in the dis-
tance was succeeded by a discharge of cannon and
the next moment the royal train glided into the
station. The Royal Party were received by General
Eden. On leaving the train the Prince and
Prinoess were conducted to • carriage drama
by four greys, which they occupied aloese,
and amidst extraordinary enthusiasm, passed
through the town to the Terrace Pier.
They teethed the Pier at twenty minutes to
two o'clock, the snow falling hem ily. Their
repel kigkaomse seemed much plesaed at this
hurry eseepticie, and repeatedly bowed their
acknowledgments. Arrived at the pier they were
met by the Mayor and Corporation, and the pro.
sentation of the Address having taken place, the
Mayor's daughter, a young lady of twelve, with as
barn ringleta, presented a superb bouquet on a save-
salver, and • bouquet was handed by the