The Express.
London, England, 1866-02-02 00:00:00

{STAMPED, ld. ADDITIONAL.]

THE IMPERIAL VISIT TO PESTH.

(FROM OUR Owl COHRESPONDECT.)

PESTB, JAS. 29.

One hour ago the Emperor, for the simond time
within two months, arrived at Pestb. On this
occasion the Empress accompanied him, an event
which has been looked forward to by the Hunga-
rians with almost romantic interest. It is many a
year since they have bad their Queen among them,
and perhaps the youth and beauty of their present
sovereign, and the charm of manner by which she
won all hearts when lately the deputation went up
to Vienna to invite her to the land of the Magyar,
all added to the enthusiastic longing. The arrange-
ments and decorations for the reception were the
same as some weeks ago. The weather, which for
the last few days had been damp and foggy, quite
changed this morning, and the bright blue sky
could again be seen. Precisely at half-past two the
train rolled into the station. All the first carriages
were filled with different officers and attendants,
and one after the other rolled by and there
was no demonstration on the part of the
dense mass assembled near the platform. But
yonder the well-known figure of the Emperor
standi alone in front of the carnage is
' sudden perceived, and tberettitt "Tortd sherds
filled the whole building. He stood a moment
acknowledging the greeting, and then entered the
carriage, and immediately returned leading forward
the Empress. At sight of ber, in a small Hunga-
rian cap of black velvet, and a short pelisse of the
same bordered with sables, there was an outburst
of joy, enthusiasm, and admiration. She certainly
looked very pretty, and seemed extremely grati-
fied at the fervour of the demonstration. For,
as a woman, she could not but feel it was not to
the queen only they paid this homage, but that
their loud acknowledgments were partly a tribute
to her beauty. As the royal pair approached the
spot where the burgomaster and other officers
were standing, the Emperor let go the arm of the
Empress, and stood a step to the side, as if to mark
that it was she who, this time, was the specially
welcomed guest. As he moved a little to the left
he cast a glance upon her, and as he did so, a pleased
expression passed over his face. From that
moment he gazed straight before him, calm,
and immovable while the burgomaster read the
address. It was pronounced with all the warmth—
or rather fire—which on such an occasion a Hunga-
rian would be sure to show ; and though the magis-
trate is advanced in years, the subject seemed to
animate and make him young again; and there
were passages when hie voice trembled as he spoke
of the joy all felt to welcome their beautiful Queen.
And now with redoubled fervour there rose loud
cheers, and cries of " Elgen I" At one passage,
containing a compliment, the Empress smiled, but
immediately after, when the warm expressions fol-
lowed, and she was told that in her presence all saw
the accomplishment of their most fervent wishes—
that they welcomed her with love, and devotion,
and fidelity—a sudden flush rushed over her cheeks ;
there was a sparkle brighter than before in her
eyes, and the slightest possible movement of the
lips showed how much the words had affected her.
I never saw her Majesty look so beautiful as in that
moment when struggling with the rising emotion.
When the burgomaster had finished, the Emperor
replied, saying how much pleasure it gave him to
bring the Empress to Peath, and that the hearty re-
ception greatly gratified him.
All this took place immediately on leaving the
railway carriage. The gentlemen and ladies in at-
tendance remained meanwhile in their carriages,
Baron Sennyey only, the Hungarian tavernicus,
stood close behind the Emperor. He had gone to
the frontier to meet their Majesties, and accom-
panied them to Perth. This time the royal visitors
started for Ofen in an open carriage and four, the
postillions in rich gold-lace livery. When the
Emperor came alone he drove off in a simple landau
and pair.
On this occasion, all along the line of route stands
of every description were erected for spectators,
for great as was the excitement when the Emperor
came here in December, the presence of the Empress
and the longing to get a sight of her made it far
more so now than then.
A number of young girls in white, with baskets
of flowers, stood awaiting her Majesty, and on her
arrival one of them offered her a nosegay of
camellias and violets.
A mounted escort of the citizens preceded the
royal carriage, and the procession moved slowly
along through the town. The bill of Ofen was
covered with people, a vast mass of expectant
human beings. To-night the town is to be illu-
minated.
A committee of thirty members was formed on
Saturday to draw up the address in answer to the
I royal speech. The Deak party had a considerable
I majority. One of the Hungarian papers, Politikai
Hetilap, asserts that the address is already com-
posed, and that the committee will only have to ac-
cept it. The journal says further, that it cannot
but think the address of 1866 will demand the same
as that of 1861, "only the tone must be
changed," for that, as I wrote to you some days
ago, would not do now.
It may have struck some persons that the order
issued in Vienna from the Lord Chamberlain's
office for a court mourning on the death of Victor
Emmanuel's son was published immediately, and
before an official intimation of the decease had been
given. But the "Prince of Sardinia," as be was
styled in the official document, was nearly related
to the imperial family, his mother being a daughter
of the late Archduke Reiner. And this was the
cause.
It is announced that Countess Konigsegg, Mis-
tress of the Robes of her Majesty the Empress,
will, on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, between
1 and 3 in the afternoon, receive in her apartment
in the palace of Ofen, all ladies and gentlemen
who are " hoffibig," or, in other words, qualified to
to to court.