The Sun.
London, England, 1855-04-14 00:00:00

THE VISIT OF THE EMPEROR OF THE

FRENCH.

' DOVER, APRIL 13.
The Neptune, 120, Vice-Admiral Sir Thomas Coch-
rane' and 12 sail, forming the squadron charged
with the honour of receiving and saluting the Emperor
and Empress of the French on their visit to England on
Monday next, anchored in Dover Roads this morning.
If the weather continues fine the fleet will probably re-
main at its present anchorage. The unusual spectacle
attracted numbe:s of spectators to the piers and lauling
places, and much curiosity is manifested on the part of
the public to become acquainted with the programme of
the great event. It is considered probable that his Royal
Highness Prince Albert, on learning the departure of the
Imperial cortege from Boulogne, will go out in the Black
Eagle or in the Vivid to meet it half way, returning
in company to Dover, when a grand salute from the
ships of war in the Roads and from the heights will
welcome its approach to the shores of Britain. Their
Majesties will afterwards land, and proceed to the Lord
Warden Hotel, where they will partake of a ddeuner,
which will be ready for them at 12 o'clock. 2 p.m. is the
hour officially named at which the special train convey.
ing the august party to Windsor will leave Dover,
but if the passage across the Channel be accomplished
without delay it is probable that the hour will be earlier.
The Lord Warden, from its close vicinity to the railway
station (being immediately opposite), will be particu-
• lady convenient to the Royal party. Private carriages
will be dispensed with, as, after leaving the hotel,
their Majesties will merely have to cross the road, a
distance of a few yards only, and which will
be lined on either side by a guard of honour. A
private entrance, leading into the station, will then
conduct them to the train. The railway authorities are
making every exertion for the accommodation of the
Emperor. Orders have been given for the interior of
the station to be decorated, and the public will be ad-
mitted to the platform by tickets, which will be distri-
buted to persons of respectability on application. The
general manager and principal officers of the company
will receive their Majesties, and will conduct them to
the State carriage which has been prepared for them.
Mr. Hakes, the proprietor of the Lord Warden, ap-
pears determined that no effort shall be wanting on his
part to make the whole proceedings go off with the
greatest possible eclat. Flagstaffs are being erected at
the different angles of the building, but at the present
early stage of the preparations it is impossible to
say what will be the general effect of the decorations.
In the interior of the building the State apartments
and spacious coffee-room are being fitted upon' a scale
of unusual splendour. Every one appears to be doing
his duty, excepting the town authorities. No prepara-
tions on their part have been even commenced, and there
is not the slightest sign of any being intended. It is
difficult to account for this extraordinary neglect ; per-
haps their patriotism as well as their purse was exhausted
by the French demonstration which took place here
some time back in aid of,the Patriotic Fund. On that
occasion the greatest possible fuss was made—the Town-
ball was decorated, flags and devices were exhibited on
every conceivable and inconceivable spot, and all in
honour of the French band and choristers from Calais
and St. Omer.

As might be expected, every train brings its pro-
portion of visitors, and by to-morrow hotel accom-
modation will become difficult, and beds impracticable.
The weather was extremely thick from an early hour
this morning, but it is now, 5 p.m., clearing up.
The Archbishop of Canterbury will arrive at Dover
this evening, and will consecrate the new burial-ground
on Copt-hill to-morrow (Saturday). His Grace will pro-
bably remain until alter the arrival of the Emperor.

• WINDSOR, FRIDAY.
The activity and anxiety displayed at the Castle to
complete the preparations for the reception of his Ina-
pe,ial Majesty the Emperor of the French and the
Em press Eugenie are unabated. Each of the rooms
appeopriated to the use of the illustrious visitors are
inspected daily by her Majesty the Queen and his Royal
Highness Prince Albert, who evince deep interest in the
progress of the workmen.
The room known as the Queen's Closet has been fitted
up as the sleeping apartment of the Emperor. The de-
corations are of the most gorgeous description. The-
co,rnices, ceilings, and mouldings have - been newly
gilt, and the doors and panels redecorated. The sofas,
couakes, chairs, and other furniture of the room are
co rer ed with green satin, the woodwork being all sulen- ,
did.ly gilded. The state bed has just been completed,
and. is expected to arrive from London to-day. The
dekigit is most elegant—the curtains and hangings are
of crimson velvet. The coverlet is composed. of green
satin., with. he national emblems of the United King-
dom in the centre, most elaborately and beautifully em-
bossed in gold, and the borders similarly ornamented.
The sleeping apartment of the Empress Eugenie, which
:is kn own as the Council Chamber, and adjoins the Queen's
tdoset, bas been decorated in an equally gorgeous style.
The state bad has been re-decorated with green satin with
crimson embroidery. The furniture is, like that of
the.7Emperor's, green and gold. The toilet is covered
with rich sky-blue satin, and surmounted by Honiton
lace ,If the best and most classical design. On the centre
of tb e table is placed an ovallooking.glass, richly carved
and festooned with Honiton lace. In the front is a
cash ion, formed of green satin, with the letter " E"
embroidered in the centre.

The apartments for the personal attendants upon the
Ern peror and Empress have also been splendidly fitted
up. The whole of the rooms have been furnished with
new carpets, and every appliance will be resorted to in
ordei that the visit may be rendered as magnificent as
it io undeniably weloome.
One point it, is necessary to refer to, althquich, touch-
ing upon tender ground. The most attractive of thO
S Late apartments, it is I well known is the " Waterloo,
Chamber," in which may be seen all the Sovereigns,
warriors, and statesmen who contributed towards the
e statblishment of what was then considered a lasting
p eace, in the year 1815. There may be seen a fall-
longth and striking likeness of the late Alexander 1.,
Em peror of all the Russias, with Pins VII. by his side,
and Prince Schwartzenburg smiling upon them from the
gallery above, precisely opposite to the stern features of
the late Duke of Wellington. With a display of gene-
rosity and good taste which has always been the distin-
guiAing trait, of her Majesty's rule, this room is hence-
forth to be called thp Picture Gallery, the name of
" Waterloo " being erased from the conventional tradi-
tions of Windsor Castle.

''_lie largest triumphal arch, in Castle-street, is being
emoted by Mr. Titcomb, the enterprising builder of
Cfe'.ver, under the gratuitous superintendence of Mr.
Bedborough, one of the borough magistrates. The de-
sign is one that will strike by its novelty, being almost
entirely architectural. The ornamental portion of it
consists of the national flag of the French, English, and
Tinrkish empires, accompanied by the Imperial Crown
and Eagle of France. There will be several appropriate
mottoes, and the whole will be brilliantly illuminated
with coloured lamps. The workmen have been engaged
tAight and day, and last night a gallery was erected on
the top of it sufficiently large to accommodate an orches-
tri of 200 musicians.

The triumphal arch at the entrance from the Great
VVet.tern station, extending from the houses of Mr.
Lgyton and Mr. Lamb, is in the course of construction
lair Mr. Alderman Adam. The design is not yet suffi-
ciently developed to give a satisfactory description.

The preparations for the reception of the Emperor
awl Empress of the French, at Guildhall, will surpass
whatever has been attained in that building upon any
si railar occasion. At the east ena of the Hall will be
emoted an Imperial dais, or throne, the whole of the fittings
b*,*.Messrs. Herring and Son, of Fleet-street, the City
upholsterers. The dais and steps thereto will be covered
w ith a carpeting of purple velvet, fringed with gold bullion,
arid sprinkled with gold bees. Upon this will be placed
Vito gorgeous chairs of state, in velvet and gold, the backs
of -each displaying the cypher N, encircled with a wreath
of laurel beautifully embroidered in gold. Above a
noble canopy, also of purple velvet, decorated with
colclen bees and gold fringe lined with elegant silver
thssire in relief. Upon this dais, or throne, the Emperor
of the French, and. Empress, will receive the civic ad-.
drntae prior
.to the Freedom being presented to his Ma-
j~ sat Around the western portion of the ball, nume-
rous seats, covered with crimson cloth, will be erected
for ladies, and similar seats will be placed for 1,200
pen sons at the exterior of the building in Guildhail-
y ar d, which will be also enclosed by a temporary build-
ig or pavilion covered with waterproof canvas, fitted up
by .B. Edgington, of Duke-street, London-bridge. This
rib' be internally decorated with scarlet and white drape-
r lea, flags, &c. A space of twenty feet in width is left
for the imperial cortege to pass through, and from thence
r‘ covered way of canvas, supplied from the same esta-
hlishment and similarly decorated, wilt extend to
Glresham-street, at which point the imperial visitors and
rdtandants will alight, and from thence to the entrance
o f -the building fur the precession to walk upon, a criinsre
c p the
a as also at the rear of the hall, contiguous to
a rc;hitects' and town clerk's offices, and a canvas cover-
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