The Sun.
London, England, 1855-12-04 00:00:00

VISIT OF THE KING OF SARDINIA
TO THE ClTY.—(This Day.)

To-day, Inesday, Dec. 4, will be long recollected as
the day on which his Majesty the King of Sardinia paid
his first visit to the city of London. With break of day
the preparations, which had been carried on during the
night, were resumed, and from nearly every window
in the line of procession the flags of England, France,
Sardinia, mid Turkey were displayed.
The weather was most unpropitious, but notwith-
standing, a large concourse of respectable persons lined
the path on each side of the centre route. The morn-
ing was cold and damp, a thick fog enveloping the
City, a drizzling rain falling at the time—a striking
contrast to the clear atmosphere and brilliant skies of
sunny Italy.
Shortly after eleven, his Majesty, accompanied by his
Royal Highness Prince Albert, arrived in town from
Windsor, and as the royal panty drove from the railway
station to Buckingham Palace they were greeted with
enthusiastic cheers from the assembled multitude.
A deputation from the merchants, bankers, and traders
of the City of London were then introduced, comprising
the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs, Thos. Baring, Esq., M.P.;
George H, Barnett, Esq. ; Jas. Pattison Currie, Esq. ;
John Dillon, E•q. ; Bonamy Dobree, Esq. ; Russell
Ellice, Esq. ; Geo. Fenning, Esq. ; C. R. Harford, Esq.;
Thomas Hankey, Esq., M.P. ; H. B. Heath, Esq. ;
Sir J. W. Lubbock, Bart. ; L. Lloyd, jun., Esq. ; John
Masterman, Esq., M.P. ; the Hor. J. T. Leslie Mel-
ville ; Jas. Morris, Esq. ; Sheffield Neave, Esq. ; J.
H. Palmer, Esq. ; H. J. Prescott, Esq. ; W. G. Pres-
cott, Esq., A. W. Roberts, Esq.; Henry Roberts, Esq.;
G. R. Smith, Esq. ; Thos. C. Smith, Esq. ; W. W.
Saunders, Esq. ; Thos. M. Weguelin, Esq., and many
other gentlemen waited upon his Majesty, and presented
the following address :--
MAY IT PLEASE YOUR MAJESTY,
We, the undersigned merchants, bankers, and traders
of the City of London, avail ourselves of the occasion of
your Majesty's visit to our beloved Queen, to offer to
your Majesty the tribute of our profound respect, and to
tender the assurance that we welcome your arrival in
this country with the most heartfelt satisfaction.
vva venture to express our admiration of the noble
firmness and decision with inhi,b, under circumstances
of peculiar difficulty, your Majesty has shown yourself
the steadfast and consistent supporter of civil and reli-
gious liberty; and we pray the Almighty Disposer of
events long to preserve your Majesty's lite and health,
for the advantage of the people whom you govera and of
the civilised world.
The close alliance now existing between your Majesty,
our revered Queen, and the Sovereigns of France and
Turkey, is the source of the utmost gratificaticn to
ns, and we have regarded with satisfaction and pride
the distinguished gallantry of the Sardinian Army in
the East. The continued success which has attended the
efforts of the Allied Armies is a proof of the cordial
union which prevails among them, and will, we venture
to hope, result in the speedy attainment of a lasting
and honourable peace. It is our earnest desire that
the commercial and maritime intercourse existing be-
tween your Majesty's dominions and those of our Queen,
may be long continued and extended, to the advan-
tage of each nation ; and we ardently trust that the
people of both countries may be so united by the
bonds of reciprocal esteem and goodwill, that their
friendship may endure for many generations, to their
common welfare, and to the advancement of the in-
terests of civilisation throughout the world.
To which his Majesty returned a suitable reply.
The Royal cortege left Buckingham Palace shortly
after twelve, and reached the Guildhall as near
one as possible. The route of the procession
(which comprised six of her Majesty's state carriages)
was along Charing-cross, Strand, Fleet-street, Ludgate-
hill, St. Paul's Churchyard, Cheapside, Poultry, past the
Mansion-house, Princes-street, Gresham-street, to the
Guildhall. The road was partly lined by the household
troops, two squadrons of the Royal Horse Guards taking
part in the procession.
On passing through the park his Majesty was received
with the heartiest demonstration of respect by the vast
uau!titude collected to pay their respects to his Majesty.
At the foot of the Duke of York's Column, of course,
there was a vast assemblage, and the view from this posi-
tion was picturesque in the extreme.
At the Admiralty the scene was particularly animated,
a large partyof ladies and gentlemen having assembled on
the front. The band of the Royal Marines was stationed
over the centre arch, and during the morning executed
several favourite pieces of music, consisting chiefly of the
national airs of England and France. In the Strand
there was a large display of flags, as indeed there was
throleghout the whole line of procession, and the num-
ber If persons collected along the lino, although not so
large, as on former Royal visits, was very great.
The preparations that had been made by the commit-
tee formed for the reception of his Majesty were truly
splendid, and everything that civic magnificence could
supply was provided for the occasion,
At the entrance to Guildhall a spacious pavilion was
erected by Messrs. Benjamin Edgington and Co., of
Duke-street, Tuoley-street, Southwark. The covering
of this pavilion was of waterproof cloth, and the great-
est care was taken to make it air-tight, so that the
ladies who occupied the seats on either side felt no in•
convenience from the weather.
After passing through the spacious pavilion we en-
tered the Guildhall, and here a scene presented itself of
the most brilliant description.
In addition to the preparations made up to Saturday
night, and whisk appeared in our journal. The follow
ing had been added :

Two immense griffins, formed principally of papier
macho, with the heraldic shields of the City, which are
gilded, silvered, and relieved with bright colours, were
placed outside the grand entrance, and surmounted with
sags of the Allied Powers.
In the vestibule leading from the great hall towards
the Court of Aldermen was erected a splendid solid
:arved and gilt trophy, representing the four nations,
with the City arms, surmounted by silk flags and
poles. There were also the arms of the four nations,
with the portraits of her Majesty Queen Victoria, the
King of Sardinia, the Emperor of the French, and the
Sultan; these surrounded a figure of Justice, which is in
the centre. The medallions being clasped together by a
cable with the motto of " Deus Protegit Justitiam."
There were likewise ribbons, on which were gilded
"Alma," " Inkerman," " Ealaklava," and " Sebas-
topol," with implements of war—the whole enveloped by
a wreath of laurel in green and gold.

The Chamberlain's outer office was fitted up as a
ladies' retiring room, and neatly furnished and gaily
appointed.
The Chamberlain's parlour was covered with Sardinian
green cloth, the windows hung with splendid curtains,
and the walls were surrounded by emblazoned resolu-
tions, in elegant gold frames, passed to lord mayors, ad-
mirals, and distinguished warriors, which could not fail
to prove highly interesting, more especially at the pre-
sent time.

The decorations in the hall were widely different from
and far more magnificent than on any formor occasion.
Not fewer than 25 large circular medallions, surrounded
with rich scroll work, relieved with green, white, and
gold, and surmounted with the flags of the Allied Powers,
including that of Sardinia, were placed in the hall. In the
centre of the medallions were beautifully executed por-
traits of Queen Victoria, Prisce Albert, the Emperor
ind Empress of the French, the King of Sardinia, the
Duke of Cambridge, Generals Bosquet, Pelissier, and
Canrobert, Omer Pacha, the late Lord Raglan, and other
Crimean heroes.

The throne for the King was, perhaps, the most chaste,
but, at the same time, elegant, that has ever been fixed
in the hall. It was erected on the south side of the
building, and was approached by four steps. It had an
mmense canopy in the form cf a dome at the top, with
white and gold pilasters at each side. The fascia, which
extended from the top proceeded round the sides, was
similar in appearance to the dome—viz., worked out in
pure white, and appointed with rich red cross work. The
middle part o the fascia was fixed in with rich silk blue
velvet, on which was fixed in large characters, "F.E.R.
T." These were entwined with a massive gold cable.

At the eastern window, in order to keep out the light,
s cartoon nearly 40 feet high, was placed, being a copy
of the original statue by Baron Maracetti of Philip
Burto, in the square of Turin ; under which are an Eng
lish •rown, with a figure of St. George and the Dragon,
and an appropriate inscription.

The western window also received the following addi-
tional piece of artistic work :—An altar, with allegorical
figures representing France, Turkey, Sardinia, and
England, with an angel overlooking, in front of which
are portraits of her Majesty Victoria, the Emperor of
the French, the Sultan, and the King of Sardinia, over
which is a representation of a bundle of sticks bound
together.
Amongst the company present we noticed
His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge.
The French Ambassador and Lady.
The Belgian Ambassador and Lady.
The Bavarian Ambassador and Lady.
The Hanoverian Ambassador and Lady.
The Sardinian Ambassador and Lady.
The Grecian Ambassador and Lady.
The Turkish Ambassador and Lady.
The Netherlands Ambassador and Lady.
The Portuguese Ambassador and Lady.
The Sicilian Ambassador and Lady.
The Austrian Ambassador and Lady.
The -Mexican Ambassador and Lady.
The American Ambassador and Lady.

The Danish Ambassador and Lady.
The Prussian Ambassador and Lady.
The Spanish Ambassador and Lady.
The Swedish Ambassador and Lady.
The Haytian Ambassador and Lady.
The Brazilian Ambassador and Lady.
The Saxon Ambassador and Lady.
The Peruvian Ambassador and Lady.
Also the Lord Chancellor and Lady, Lord Palmerston (her
Majesty's principal Secretary of State), Earl Granville
(President of the Council), the Earl of Clarendon (Foreign
Secretary), the Marquis and Marchioness of Lansdowne,
the Duke and Duchess of Argyll, the Earl of Harrowby,
Sir G. Grey, Sir C. Wood, the President of the Board of
Control, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Field
Marshal Lord Viscount Hardinge and Lady, the Speaker
of the House of Commons and Lady, the Marquis and
Marchioness of Salisbury, Lord Paninure, the President
of the Board of Trade, the following meinberseof his
Majesty's service, viz. :—Count Camille Cavour, Presi-
dent of the Sardinian Council ; Duke Pasqua, Prefect
of the Palace ; Baron Nigra, Superintendent of the
Royal Household ; Major-General Count Morozzo Della
Rocca, Premier Aide-de-Camp ; Major-General the
Marquis d'Angrogna, Aide-de-Camp ; Major-General
the Chevalier Carderina, Aide-de-Camp ; Oount Cigala,
Colonel of Cavalry, the Chevalier Persan, Commander
of the port of Getesa ; Count de Robillant, Artillery
Officer, and Professor Riberi, and a great many other
distinguished individuals.
As soon as it was rumoured that his Majesty was at
hand the greatest excitement prevailed amongst the dis-
tinguished personages present, and shortly after his
Majesty, accompanied by his suite and the Sardinian
Minister, entered the hall amid enthusiastic cheering
His Majesty, preceded by the Lord Mayor, and the
usual civic functionaries, was conducted to the throne,
situated at the end of the hall.
The King of Sardinia wore the uniform of a Sardinian
general officer—a bright blue tunic, and trousers of
light grey, with black stripe. On his breast shone the
Cross of the Legion of Honour, and, the " Soldier's
Medal," which the Emperor Napoleon lately presented
to him with so handsome a compliment.
The brilliant, attisa abbe noyai personage navingeakers
up their position round the dais, the Lord Mayor ad-
vanced, and having presented the learned Recorder to
his Majesty, the latter, in a distinct voice, read the fol-
lowing address on behalf of the Lord Mayor and Cor-
poration of the City of London :
MAY IT PLEASE YOUR MAJESTY,
We, the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, and Commons of
the City of London, in Common Council assembled, desire
to offer to your Majesty our grateful congratulations on
your Majesty's arrival in this country, as the honoured
guest of our beloved and most gracious Queen ; and on
behalf of our fellow citizens, and for ourselves, we
humbly tender to your Majesty the warmest expression
of our gratitude for the welcome visit to our city,
with which you have deigned to honour us this day.
We hail the arrival of your Majesty as a happy proof
of the extension of those friendly and intimate relations
which it is the wish of this people to cultivate with all
nations, and which are daily drawn closer by the cordial
intercourse of Sovereigns, the interchange of mutual
courtesies, and the progress of unrestricted commerce.
We see in your Majesty the representative of a long
line of illustrious Sovereigns, and rejoice to find the
throne filled by one who in the present mo-
mentous epoch, has joined his armies to those of France,
Turkey, and England, and who has not only avowed his
desire to participate in the triumph of the principles for
which the Allied Powers are now resolutely contending,
but animated by the generous sentiments of his Sub-
Alpine people and the traditions of the House 9f Savoy,
has heroically thrown himself into the cause of justice
and civilisation, with a resolution to persevere until a
durable peace, guaranteeing to every nation its legiti-
mate rights, shall be obtained.
It is with solemn gratitude to the Almighty Disposer
of events that we reflect upon the unbroken success which
has proved the superior power and bravery of the Allied
armies and fleet., supported as they have been under al-
most incredible privations, by a lofty sense of the right-
eous cause in which they are engaged, and in which the
arms of Sardinia have borne so generous a part.
Our most gracious Sovereign and her illustrious Allies,
undazzled by the splendour of repeated triumphs, and
the continued progress of victory, seek no more than to
vindicate the rights of nations, and secure a lasting and
honourable peace.
In the contest for this high purpose, our beloved
Queen, acting in concert with her allies, may firmly rely
upon the strongest and most cheerful efforts of the loyal
citizens of London and of all her people, united as they
are in duty and affection to her Majesty's person and
government, and in a determination to defend the cause
of national independence, and of oiviland religious liberty.
The King rose from his seat before the Recorder com-
menced reading the address, and remained standing.
At the conclusion of the address the Recorder advanced
with the usual obeisances and placed a copy of it in the
hands of the King, who then returned the following
gracious reply :
MY LORD MAYOR,
I offer my heartfelt thanks to you, to the Aldermen,
and to the Commons of the City of London, for the cor-
dial congratulations which you present to me on the
occasion of my visit to her Majesty the Queen, and to
the British nation.

no reception that I met with in this ancient land of
constitutional liberty, of which your address is a confir-
mation, is to me a proof of the sympathy inspired by
the policy I have hitherto pursued, a policy in which it
is my intention constantly to persevere.
The close alliance existing between the two most
powerful nations of the earth, is honourable alike to
the wisdom of the Sovereigns who govern them, and
to the character of their people. They have under-
stood how preferable is a mutually advantageous friend-
ship to ancient and ill-defined rivalry.
This alliance is a new fact in history, and is the
triumph of civilisation. Notwithstanding the misfor-
tunes which have weighed upon my kingdom, I have
entered into this alliance, because the House of Savoy
ever deemed it to bo its duty to draw the sword when
the combat was for justice and for independence.
If the forces which I bring to the Allies are those of
a State not vast, I bring with them, nevertheless, the
influence of a loyalty never doubted, and supported by
the valour of an army always faithful to the banners of
its Kings.

We cannot lay down our arms until an honourable,
and therefore durable, peace, has been secured. This
we shall accomplish by seeking unanimously the triumph
of true right, and the just desires of each nation.
I thank you for the good wishes you this day express
for my future bappiness, and fur that of my kingdom.
While you thus express yourselves with respect to the
future, it gives me pleasure to speak of the present, and
to congratulate you on the high position attained by
Great Britain. This Is to be attributed to the free and
noble character of the nation, and also to the virtues of
your Queen.

The moment the King concluded Lis reply a loud
cheer was raised, which was taken up and re-echoed by
the occupants of the remoter parts of the hall.
The Lord Mayor then presented the mover and the
seconder of the address, Sheriffs Kennedy and Rose,
the Aldermen, the enteTtainment committee, and a great
many members of the Court of Common Council.
The King then descended from the dais into the open
space, where he remained for some moments surveying
the hall and the magnificent scene which presented itself.
The members of the entertainment committee then
formed a double line clown the avenue, and the King and
Prince Albert, preceded by the Lord Mayor, and fol-
lowed by the Cabinet Ministers, proceeded to the Coun-
cil Chamber, where a sumptuous dejeuner was served.
In the course of the defamer the Lord Mayor gave
the health of "The Queen," which was drunk by the
whole company standing. His lordship afterwards pro-
posed the health of "His Majesty Victor Emmanuel,
King of Sardinia," which was received with a similar
demonstration of respect.

The Royal party then passed through the hall to their
carriages, amidst thy: most warm and enthusiastic
indications of esteem .

His
Majesty returned through Fleet•street and the
Strand to the residenrte of Lord Palmerston, to whom he
paid a complimentary visit, and after remaining with the
noble Viscount scums time repaired to Buckingham
Palace, and from thence returned to Windsor by the
Great Western Railway.

After the departuro of the Ring the general company
partook of a sumptuous entertainment, which was pro-
vided in the Council Chamber, the Crypt, and other
parts of the hall.

The appearance of the Council Chamber, previous to
the arrival of the august visitors, was splendid, and the
preparations for the Royal table reflect the greatest
credit on the Mesttrs. Staples of the Albion Tavern,
Aldersgate-street. ' The glass and dessert service was
specially worthy of notice, not only as specimens of
English manufacture, but as an instance of the extra-
ordinary rapidity of production, the whole having been
manufactured within the short space of eight days.

IMPORTANT DISCOVRRY.— The difficulty hitherto ex-
perienced with the compass in iron ships has been suc-
cessfully removed by a discovery of Mr. J. M. Hyde, of
the Cumberland ironworks, Bristol, who has been for
the last 10 years engaged in the investigation of this im-
portant subject. Tiiere is now, and has been for some
time past, trading between Liverpool and Bristol a
screw-steamer called the Athlete, built by Messrs. J. M.
Hyde and Co., having no practical error in the compass,
and therefore requiring no permanent magnets for cor-
rection. This desideratum has been accomplished in the
construction of the ship, the arrangement being such
that the compass is placed in a neutral position, where
the magnetism of the iron in the after end of the ship is
balanced. If this be true—and our information comes
from a reliable source—then Mr. Hyde has accomplished
an improvement the importance of which it would be
difficult to overrate. The numerous and lamentable
errors said to have occurred through compass errors is a
sufficient reason why this discovery should be thoroughly
investigated fur the benefit of that large and increasing
interest—iron shipping. The Athlete, we understand,
is open to the inspection of practical and scientific men
when on berth at Liverpool or Bristol.

LATEST NEWS.

MARSEILLES, DEC. 3.

The Montebello, with five other steamers,
arrived yesterday at Toulon with the Imperial
Guard on board. This morning the body of Ad-
miral Bruat will be landed with the usual cere-
mony, and be afterwards conveyed to Marseilles
and Paris.