The Sun.
London, England, 1855-04-19 00:00:00

CHEAPSIDE.

Here the crowd was tremendous, both sides of
the road being lined with people, who stood fron
6to 8 deep. The cheering was here louder, if tha,
were possible, than in any other part of the City
cries of " Viva l'Empereur " being exceedingly
frequent.
THE APPROACH TO GUILDHALL.

At the top of King-street the eye was struck witl
the appearance of an enormous pavilion, whiel
was erected by Mr. B. Edgington. The dimes•
slops of this monster marquee is 97 feet in lengt:
and about 90 feet in width. It accommodated
with sittings upwards of 1,200 visitors, and afforded
each a perfectly uninterrupted view. It is
composed of alternate white and scarlw,
canvas of the finest texture, and although i;
afforded full protection to those seated beneath it,
admitted the light to show up the brightness of th,
colours. In front of this immense pavilion at
awning, 140 feet long, extended to Gresham-street,
which was surmounted by the flagi of every ra-
tion, with one exception.
Passing through the pavilion we entered
GUILDHALL,

and here a scene presented itself that we almost
despair of describing. The first thing that attract
attention is the throne, which is situated at th.
east end of the hall. It was erected on a raise
dais, surmounted by a canopy of a cream colour,
richly picked out with gold. The draperies are oi
ruby silk velvet, very tastefully arranged, and or
'lamented with massive gold fringe and bees, and
lined with white satin.

Upon the dais, which was also covared witl

velvet, are placed two magnificent carved and gil.
chairs of state, covered with ruby coloured velvet.
On the back of one was the letter N, embroidere.
in gold, encircled with a wreath of olive brancher
of the same precious metal, mixed with silver. Oi
the other chair the letter E, the initial of the Em-
press, was displayed in a precisely similar manner.
This part of the ball exhibited a coup d'ceil w(
have never seen surpassed, and reflected the highero
credit on the taste and skill of the Messrs. Herring,
of Fleet-street, the upholsterers to the Hon. Cor
poration.
On each side of the grand entrance to the throw
are eight rows of raised seats, whilst a little more te
the east are six raised, apparently standing places.
At the western end of the ball is a spacious pallery.
divided into three classes. In order to provide
this amount of accommodation "it was found neces-
sary to raise the figures representing Gog and Ma-
gog some eight or nine feet, although each figure
weighed about a ton. The whole of the monu-
ments have been cleaned, and not fewer than 14
trophies, 30 feet high, aro being placed in th,
ball—viz., sevan on each side. They are exceed
ingly chaste, and may be thus described
to the top of a pole is a wreath of Peace, in gold
and white, encirclin; the French eagle, under which:
is a larie circular piece of work, bearing an admir
able medallion of the Emperor. Following
downwards is a splendid circle, after which is an
entablature bearing the name " Napoleon" in gold
letters. Seven of these, in honour of France, are
matched by an equal number representing Eng
land. At the top is a similar wreath of Peace et:-
circling the British lion ; underneath it a circuits,
piece of work bearing a medallion of her Maj,..sT...
the Queen. A little below is an entablature bear-
ing the name " Victoria."
Between the wreaths of Peace immense gilded
Turkish crescents, and three beautiful flags, repre-
seuting the colours of England, France, and Tur
key, have been placed. The City, and also tin-
French arms, have been emblazoned in bright
colours upon the circular shields upon the trophies.
A beautiful ornamental device in cream colour,
hearing the following—" Alma, Balaklava, and
Inkerman "—has been placed in front of the upper
windows, which, being surmounted by the French
and City Arms, has a most magnificent effect. The
tops of the flag-staffs attached to the trophies have
splendidly gilt eagles and spears attached, and the
light shining from behind the devices gives- them
an appearance of solid burnished gold.
The whole of the seats in the hall have been
covered with au expensive drab-coloured cloth,
which had a much greater effect in showing
off the other decorations than would have been the.
case if the colour had been either crimson or scar-
let. These seats have been classified into three
divisions ; the two first departments were set apat t
respectively for ladies having tickets of certain
colours ; the other portion, it is understood, was
set apart for gentlemen having the privilege of
entrée.

The space on either side of the entrance to the
dais is fitted up so as to afford standing room only,
the right hand space being set apart for the use of
the Corps Di plomatique ; the left for the accommoda.
ti, ,n of her Majesty's Ministers. It had been arranged
that their Imperial Majestiei should enter at di the
n-Arth side of the hall, where they were to be con-
ducted to their respective seats facing the dais. This
was to prevent much confusion which might pot.
sibly have arisen had their Majesties passed along
the grand foot-path that runs between the seats in
front of the west end, where the ceremony was
take place. Immediately over the, entrance of the
hall Guildhall had been erected a clouble orches-
tra, in which two military bands were stationed,
who, as the Royal and distinguished visitors en-
tered the hall, struck up " Partaut pour la Syrie."
The boudoir for her
.Imperial Majesty was
sumptuously supplied with richly gilded furni-
niture. The sofa and chairs had a most brilliant
effect, which were relieved by the elegant lace
window curtains. The chief decoration of this
unique apartment was the noble toilet, upon
which was a • magnificent mirror, in a carved
gold frame, and the whole draperied. -with rich
lace festooned hangings over white satin. The toilet

I,ot-tlo mid boort goladvfftii Chip
artistic beauty as well as superior mauutaeture.
The lavement-stand, covered with a beautiful slab
of marble, had the usual fitting.s in white and gold
;hiva, with splendidly cut glass ewer, goblets, &c.
A. magnificent cheval glass, in a splendid gold
frame, adjoined the toilet, and the flooring of the
Lpartment covered with an elegant Turkey carpet.
A splendid collection of paintings of the Bonaparte
amity bad been hung in the room leading to "the.
Chamber ; on one side was a portrait Li
Napoleon 1.. ; Jerome, King of Westphalia, youn
est brother of Napoleon I. ; Joseph, King of
Spain, eldest brother of Napoleon 1., and uncle to
he present Emperor ; and Count Waltersdorf,
Aarshal of King Jerome. On the other, portraits
)f*Letitia, mother of Napoleon 1., grandmother of
the Present Emperor ; Hortense, Queen of Hol-
amd, Consort of Louis Bonaparte, King of Hol-
.and, and mother of the present Emperor ;
Katherine, Queen of Westphalia, daughter of the
King of Wurtemberg, by the Princess Royal of
Elgland, consequently cousin to Queen Viettiria.
At about half-past two the Emperor and
Empress entered the hall, and at this moment it
oresented a scene of the greatest magnificence
imaginable.

At about a quarter to four the Emperor and the
Empress left the Guildhall, and returned to
Buckingham Palace.

As the procession returned, the cheering along
the whole line was equally, if not more enthusias-
tic than on its way to the City.
[We shall give the proceedings in the Guildhall
in our Third Edition.]