The Sun.
London, England, 1855-08-18 00:00:00

tl-1E QUEEN'S VISIT TO

PARIS.

PORTSMOUTH,- FRIDAY NIGRT.

At seven o'clOck this evening her Majesty.
Prince Albert, and the Court embarked on boaid
the Victoria and Albert steamer, and start at day
light for Boulogne.

PREPARATIONS AT BOULOGNE.
BOULOGNE, AUG. 17.
For the last seven clays crowds of holiday makers
have been disembarking at this port, eager to secure
bedrooms during the week, and balconies to witness
to-morrow's solemnity. Some of the English boats
have arrived with upwards of three hundred and
fifty passengers on board. No sooner are these
visitors landed than they hastily deposit their lug-
gage
at the first hotel that can or will receive
them ; then they sally forth, and ask all kinds
of questions of the first person they meet rela-
tive to the Queen's arrival. Thusl every group of
loungers npon the jetty has its own authoritative
view of the groat question. Some people have
heard, on the best authority, that the Queen will
arrive off the port early this afternoon ; others are
certain that the royal party will_ not leave Osborne
before to-morrow morning ; a third knot is in pos-
session of facts of the most private nature. Amid
all this gossip—which iscarried on even by officials
whom it is natural to regard asinfallible authorities,
but who in reality have only that infinite scrap of
official intelligence which concerns them—it is no
easy matter to sift groundless gossip from real in •
formation. This gossip, however, proves the state ,
of almost mad enthusiasm with which the fifty 1
thousand people of Boulogne are possessed to-day.
Everywhere, along the line of route, from the land- i
ing-place to the railway-station, seats at windows
have been purchased at prices which prove that the
residents of Boulogne know how to combine patrio-
tism with pecuniary advantage. The real prepara-
tions, which are being actively pushed forward at
the last moment, consist of the great tent at the
landing-place, and the triumphal arch, amphi-
theatre, and reception rooms of the railway sta-
tion. Then, at the camps, men are eager to
learn who will form part of the line of sol-
diers appointed to keep the way clear. It is
certain, however, that the square about the land-
ing-place will be formed by the Lancers now
at Boulogne, and that the cortege will be escorted
by squadrons of Lancers and Dragoons. Orders
have also been issued to the effect that a company
of the famous Chasseurs de Vincennes shall be
included in the troops told off for the duty of
keeping the way. Here, then, her Majesty will see
for the first time the equipment and appearance of
these renowned soldiers. I will now briefly de-
scribe the preparations made here to receive her
Majesty to-morrow. In the first place, it is now
certain that the Royal party will land opposite the
Place Dannon, where a richly ornamented tent is
in ' course of erection. This tent will be almost
wholly composed of red velvet, lightened within
by lace, light candelabra, and flowers. Before it
stand two high columns, twenty-one feet in height,
painted " true blue," upon which _will be placed
vases of burning 'incense. Around this tent the
civil and military authorities of Boulogne and the
neighbourhood will assemble to receive the illus-
trious visitors. From the tent it is believed the
Queen, escorted by the Emperor, will proceed to
ho Pavilion Hotel, facing the seit, to breakfast;
orders having been given at this establishment for
150 covers at noon to- morrow. From the hotel
the party will proceed along the port, over the new
bridge, which will be ornamented with marble py-
ramids bearing heraldic emblems, to the railway.
station. The preparations here made for the re-
ception of the Queen are really imposing. The en-
trance to the-railway station is spanned by a splen-
did trumphal arch, 75 feet in height. This arch is
not constructed on the long-established system of
covering lath-work with evergreens. It consists
of beautiful gilt arabesque work, intermingled with
wreaths of flowers, and crowned by a bold figure,
that, with outstretched arms, offers a welcome to
the Emperor's guests. Upon the scroll this figure
holds is inscribed the word " Civilisation !" The
base of the arch is marked by a green scroll, upon
which, in letters of gold, are the words, " Welcome
to England." The arms of England and France
rise above this scroll, and form the supports of the
great figure. Around the crowning figure float the
flags of the allied powers ; below, those of the
secondary States of Europe. Shields, streamers,
emblazonments, and flowers, scattered about the
lower part of this immense construction, make a
rich and imposing effect. Passing under the arch,
the Royal visitors will enter the open space be-
fore the station—which has been covered with

turf—interspersed with beds of the choicest flowers.
To give effect to this enclosure, one gardener
alone has sent no less than 4,000 plants. To
the right, an amphitheatre of seats, covered with
red velvet, and backed by gilt arabesque work,
and flowers, has been raised, for the accommoda-
tion of ladies invited by the town or railway com-
pany to witness the arrival. Then the entire front
of the station itself has been hung with velvet,
spangled with bees. The Royal Standard of Eng-
land and the Tricolour of Franco float from the
belfry tower over the entrance ; and an eagle, with
spread wings, forms a conspicuous ornament. The
panels and pilasters, hung with velvet, display
initial letters, Sc., in gold. The first-class recep-
tion room has been arrang2cl with rich hangings
for the illustrious party. Here the emblems of the
two countries, worked in gold; enliven the folds of
velvet. The doorways are ornamented with ga-
thered folds of muslin. The floor is covered with
a splendid carpet. From the ceiling hang beautiful
chandeliers of flowers. The Queen's reception
room is a perfect specimen of French art, in the
arrangement of a limited space. The doors are
lined with white velvet, the walls are covered with
white and red fluted silk, and the furniture is
all of the most elegant description. The huge hall
of the railway station is occupied on three sides by
seats 60 feet long. Chandeliers hang from the
roof, trophies, banners, enliven the walls ; and op-
site the entrance by which the Queen will reach
the platform is au artistically-arranged trophy of
arms. The train of state will consist of the Em-
peror's carriage, in which he will travel with his
royal guests, and carriages bearing the royal and
imperial suites..
This outline of the preparations includes, I be-
lieve, all that is to be accomplished at Boulogne.
The port, of course, will be gay with the flags of
nations ; tens of thousands of people will line the
quay ; the bells of the churches will ring ; the
cannon will make their noisy welcome ; and thirty
or forty thousand men under arms will mark the
summits of the cliffs from above the town as far
as Ambleteuse. Last night an English corvette
anchored off the port, heralding the imposing
fleet that is to accompany the Queen, and thou-
sands of people crowded to the pier-head to
look at the trim precursor of to-morrow's
splendid pageant. It is now pretty certain that
the Queen will arrive off Boulogne this evening,
sleep on hoard, and enter the pore as early as the
tide will allow to-morrow morning. In this case,
it is said the men in the camps along the heights
will advance along the edge of the cliffs to-night,
and greet the royal visitors with a splendid feu
de joie.
An official intimation reached the authorities
here last night that the Emperor would reach Bou-
logne this evening at six o'clock. Lord Cowley will
also arrive in the course of the afternoon, to escort
his Sovereign to the capital in which he represents
—or, according to many people, misrepresents—
the English nation. The Imperial carriages, in
which the royal visitors are to proceed from the
landing-place to the railway station, arrived here
yesterday afternoon. To the great disappointment
of people who have paid for places at windows
they are closed vehicles. The reason is that all the
Imperial open carriages are in requisition to con-
vey the Emperor's guests from the terminus in
Paris to St. Cloud—the party requiring no less
than eight.
On Wednesday last a meeting of the British re-
sidents was held at the Hotel du Nord, to frame an
address of congratulation to the Queen on the occa-
sion of her visit ; Captain Kirby in the chair. This
address, which is conceived in the following terms,
will be presented to her Majesty to-morrow by the
British Consul :
At a public meeting, convened by her Britannic Ma-
jesty's Consul, at the large room in the Hotel du Nord, on
Wednesday, the 15th day of August ; Captain Kirby in
the chair ;
It was proposed by Edmund Turton, Esq. ; seconded by
Captain Kennett, and carried unanimously :
That the following address from the British residents
and visitors in and near Boulogne-sur-Mer be adopted by
this meeting, and that the same be presented to her Ma-
jesty through her Britannic Majesty's Consul at Boulogne,
or through her Britannic Majesty's Ambassador at the
Court of France.
" May it please your Majesty,
" We the British residents and visitors in and near the
city of Bonlogne-sur-Mer, with feelings of the most pro-
found respect., humbly present our heartfelt congratulations
on that most auspicious event, your Majesty's visit to your
august ally, the Emperor of the French—au event which
we doubt not will tend, under God's blessing, still further
to strengthen and perpetuate the cordial union at present
so happily existing between France and Great Britain.
" That Almighty God may long preserve your Maie_st.7
to reign over a loyal, happy, and contented peopie, an.dervlts
He may impart His choicest blessings to your
31 esty's
royal Consort, the Prince Albert, and to your
and
royal family, is the fervent prayer of your Majesty'sj
dutiful and loving subjects, the British residents most
visitors in and near Boulogne-sur-bier.
(Signed) " WALTER KiaßT,Chairman."
u A cloudless
fI
The weather continues beauti
to
mita° for -morrov'e spec-
sky and a calm sea pro