The Express.
London, England, 1868-05-19 00:00:00

[STAMPED U. ADDITIONAL]

, '

THE ROYAL VISIT TO YORKSHIRE.

(rsow ova Oryllt lAL commaroirmorr.)
LIMBS, KONDAY.
After the arrangement* it was thought necessary
to make at Woodleeford for the proper reception
of the Prince on his arrival this wen had been
considered by duly authorised persons, the fiat
went forth that the affair was to be conducted with
as much privacy as the circumMances would allow.
His royal highness was to be bowed on to the
platform, sheen to his carnage, and driven to
Templenewsmn without any ostentation or public
demonatraition. In accordance with this idea,
vigorous preparation, were commenced to divest
the proceedings of the faintest suspicion of pub-
licity. The villagers of Woodlinford, which, for a
small imitation of a town, with • large preponde-
rance of atone in its formation and a fine prospect
of chimneys in the distant*, is • very pretty rural
retreat, held high consultation as to how they could
best melt in this little private occurrence. Their
method of rendering assistance, if natural and
(laminable, was peculiar. Desorations on an almost
reckless scale were planned ; workmen were en-
gaged in ruinous numbers to run up a triumphal
arch as the end of a very green lane leading
to some very brown mills ; the bright laurel
and the cheery lauriatinus were robbed of their fair
leafy proportions, and the gardeners as a body
were inundated with begging petitions for flowers
wherewith to embellish all embellishable property.
The attempt to receive the Prince privately has
I been, as may be supposed, a failure, and short of a
congratulatory address from the parish beadle, or
whoever the chief functionary of the village may
be, Woodlesford has done everything it can do to
make the reception joyously public. And, to use
an expression not unheard of before, success has
crowned their endeavours. In their way the
Woollesfordians have placed themselves on a level
footing with their bigger brethren of Leeds, and
have brought down upon themselves the honour of
first receiving the Prince of Wales into Yorkshire
on this memorable occasion. The ornamentations
were finished this morning, and groups of country
folks were gazing at them with an admiration not far
removed from reverence. A triumphal arch at the
foot of the carriage way leading to the station, and
which will burst upon the Prince's vision just as he
starts with his host, reminding him In large letters
that he is "England's bope," is a hlndsomely-
designed bit of work, positively revelling in its
fresh thick laurel, and fragrant with garlands and
vases of newly gathered flowers. The wall of the
adjacent brewery (the great feature of Woodleeford)
is *Deeded with ironwork wreathed with branches
and flowers, and the arch of the large railway bridge
is judiciously hidden beneath flags, and more ever-
greens and flowers. Upon a white ground there
peeps out from its pretty fringe of boughs this in-
scription, " Welcome as the flowers in May ;" and
as there are multitudinous evidences wherever you
turn your eyes of the fond care with which rich and
poor cultivate their flowers, there is no reason to
believe that this is not intended to be a welcome of
the most significant and poetical kind. Further up
the road there is another archway where the spirit
of poetry has again inspired the designer, for on the
one side we have a figure sustaining the nearest
semblance to an olive branch this cold clime per-
mits ; while on the other side, figure number two
holds aloft a harp, the intention being apparently
to show that front it the soul of music has not fled.
These are the chief decorations : the smaller ones
are legion. The railway station, which is not large,
will very properly be closed until the Prince has
gone, inasmuch as the Midland direotom, who, are
to meet him, and the officials will without any ex-
traneous assistance fill up the limited space.
Templenewsam, where the Prince of Wales will
sojourn till Wednesday morning, is a seat of some
little historic interest, about two miles, as the
!crow flies, from Woodleeford. It stands on a hill
about five miles east of Leeds, and has within
view scenery of the most varied and far-stretching
kind. Sir Walter Scott writes of the mansion as
Templestowe, and many of the events in romantic
"Ivanhoe" were recorded in connection with it.
The present building is a noble specimen of the
English country-house, and was built by Sir
Arthur Ingram, to whom it was sold by a Duke of
Lennox. The old house, from 1181 to 1311, was a
preceptory of the Knights Tempters, and it
afterwards became the residence of the Earl
of Lennox and his wife, the Lady Margaret.
Their-ill fated son Darnley was born here, and
also James I. That monarch gave the place to
one of the Lennoxes, and the ancient hall was
soon after pulled down and replaced by the
present building. It is encompassed by parks
and pleasure grounds that at this moment are
superb in their May beauty. Three effective
arches span the carriage-way by which his royal
highness will approach the house, and the most
imposing of the trio will form the entrance to an
avenue that is a long triumphal arch in itself,more
beautiful than any artificial decorations could make
it. The roof of the mansion is surrounded by a
battlement composed of stone capital letters, which
read thus :—" All glory and praise be given to God
the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, on high ; peace
upon earth, good-will toward men, honour and
true allegiance to our gracious King, loving affec-
tion among his subjects, health and plenty within
this house. According to the guide books there
is a fine library here, and a picture gallery 129 feet
long. The latter apartment is fitted up for a break-
fast room, and it is whispered throughout
Leeds that the Prince's bedroom is upholstered
with crimson damask, and his sitting-room with
silk of true-blue. A numerous company is invited
'to meet his royal highness. At ordinary times the
grounds and mansion are open to the public once a
week, and it divides the attentions of local tourists
with Kirkstall Abbey, Harewood, and Methley-
hall, but it is now jealously guarded against the
intrusions of too curious strangers.
If the Prince had been able to favour Leeds with
a longer visit, he would have been invited to in-
spect some of the principal manufactories upon
which the town has thriven so rapidly. Its
feared, however, that this will be impossible, as his
royal highness leaves on Wednesday; but he has
been furnished with, and has accepted, a history of
the trade and town of Leeds, from which he may
learn some interesting particulars. The chief trade
Of Leeds, as all the world is aware, is in woollen
vods, and according to a record in the Tower of
London that industry was in operation so far
back as 1373. In 1855 there were within the
borough 102 works engaged in the different
of cloth manufacture, employing
,107511:r. workpeople. Goods to the value
of 7,000,0001. are annually dispersed through
the warehouses. But it is noted for other branches
of manufacture. There are several large en-
gineering establishments in Leeds, the chief
being that of Fairbairn's firm, whereof the mayor
is head. Brassfounding, lax manufacture, the
leather trade, wonted and silk, glass and tobacco,
are also included in the commercial transactions rA
the town. The mayor, Mr. Andrew Fairbairn, is
son of the late Sir Peter Fairbairn, who was
knighted by the Queen on her visit here in 1858.
It is pointed out as • curious ooincider.ea that
another Fairbairn should be mayor at this royal
visit. On Thursday last a statue of the Fate Sir Peter
wag uncovered in a prominent part of the town.
The ball to-morrow night at the.lown-hall, to be
given in honour of the Prince's haft, ought to be a
spectacle, and will be so, if the crowding
grand
m* spoil it. The Prince is to open the
denting with the ma °ma,. mid some 900 guests
ere expected. Tito na are hardly finished
yet, but both the Town-hall and the central hall of
the Fahibition; whew the optoninF ceremony takes
glace, held eft fair promise of being unique speci-
mens of artistic adornment. There isnothing new
!to tell with respect to the coming event, and at
present there le every prospect of fine weather rob.