Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-06-24 00:00:00

HER MAJESTY'S DRA.WING ROOM.

Yesterday afternoon, at two o'clock, her Majesty held
a drawing room at St. James's Palace. The great incon-
venience and annoyance experienced from the crowding
on the last occasion, if failing to reduce the attendance
to-day, had the effect of bringing many from their homes
at an early hour. Several carriages took up their position
before eleven o'clock, and at twelve the line extended from
the palace to the top of St. James's-street. The morning
was extremely warm, and the time thus spent by the
ladies can scarcely be included amongst the pleasant
moments of the day.

THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE VICTORIA CROSS.

Mln reply to some questioning on Monday night, Sir B.
Hall said that he had made arrangements for providing
as much accommodation as possible for the distribution
of the Order of -Valour by the Queen, on Friday next, in
Hyde-park. There would be a centre compartment for
the Queen, and two others on the right and on the left to
accommodate the corps diplomatique, the officers of state
past and present, distinguished laymen, and military
officers, including the relations of those who were to
receive the decoration. 'lndependent of that, there would
be two wings or oven compartments north and south,
capable of holding 7,000 or 8,000 persons. The admission
would be by ticket, to be applied for at the Quartermaster_
General's office, Horse Guards. Any peer or member of
parliament desirous of attending must make application
before Wednesday evening. Independent of the accom-
modation he had mentioned, there would be a large space
devoted to the public. The accommodation would be the
same for ladies as gentlemen. Any gentleman desirous of
taking a female friend, or any female member of his family,
had only to make that intimation to the Quartermaster-
General, and he had no doubt tickets would be forwarded
him. Orders have been forwarded to the commanding
officers of regiments in which those gallant officers and
men who have been selected for their bravery to wear the
decoration of the Victoria Cross may be serving to send
them per railway to the metropolis. This noble band of
warriors will arrive in London from their respective
regiments on Thursday, and be billeted for the night.
On Friday morning they will parade in St. James's-
park, at the rear of the Horse Guards, and thence march
to the Cavalry exercising ground, Hyde-park, where the
investiture by her Majesty will take place. In addition
to the regiments already named, which will occupy
positions on the ground, detachments from those regiments
quartered at Aldershott, 843., which served during the
war from the battle of Alma to the capture of Sebastopol
will be present to witness the imposing ceremony. A
position on the extreme left will be reserved for the boys of
the Royal Military Asylum. Two field batteries of
Artillery and a troop of Royal Horse Artillery have been
ordered from Woolwich to assist at the ceremony. Royal
salutes will be fired on the arrival of her Majesty and at
the conclusion of the distribution.

IMPERIAL VISIT TO PORTSMOUTE DOCKYARD.

On Monday, the Archduke Maximilian paid a visit to
the port and dockyard of Portsmouth, accompanied by
his suite, including the Austrian minister at this court.
Having arrived at the dockyard, his Imperial Highness
proceeded on board the Excellent, gunnery ship, in the
Port Admiral's barge, which had the Austrian flag flying
at the fore. It was saluted by the Victory, Blenheim, &c .
On board the Excellent the Archduke witnessed some shell
nna, rocket tiring. Then, landing at the dockyard, he was
conducted over the various departments, and subsequently
went over in the Admiral's barge. to Raslar, inspecting the
hospital and hauling-up slip for gunboats. Returning from
Haslar, the Archduke landed again at the dockyard, and
proceeded with his suite to the Port Admiral's residence
to lunch. Rear-Admiral Martin, admiral superintendent,
accompanied his .Highness over the yard, &c., the Port
Admiral, Sir George Seymour, being unwell. Rear-Admiral
Walls, Captain Seymour, Captain Dacres, &c., were
amongst those who partook of lunch with the Archduke.