The Sun.
London, England, 1855-04-16 00:00:00

PREPARATIONS IN ENGLAND.

The greatest activity prevailed yesterday (Sunday)
at the Bricklayers' Arms station of the South-Eastern
Railway amongst the various men employed in fitting
out and decorating the place in a manner to do full hon-
our to the visit oft wo such great and distinguished per-
sonages as the Emperor and Empress of the French.
The whole of the station was yesterday re coloured in
distemper. A spacious platf .rm, 12 or 13 feet wide, has
been laid down, which is covered with crimson baize,
over which their Imperial Majesties, his Royal High.
ness Prince Albert, and their distinguished suite are to
pass. A raised row of seats on the right-hand side of
the entrance has been erected sufficiently commodious to
accommodate from 800 to 1,000 persons. The different
windows at the side of the platform have been beauti-
fully Vandyked with red and white bunting.
The fronts of the gallery and the sittings have been
similarly decorated, whilst from the roof of the station a
variety of splendid flags, representing the colours of all
nations, except that of Russia, have been suspended.
These have been furnished by the Board of Ordnance
and Mr. B. Edgington, of Duke-street, Borough. A
canopy of chaste construction has been thrown over the
entrance, to be surmounted by the national standard and
other flags, from the last-named establishment.

The inhabitants living in the immediate vicinity of
the station commenced to decorate the front of their
houses. From the front of Mr. Harris's premises were
suspended the Royal arms of England and one of Mr.
B. Edgington's flags, with the inscription, " Welcome
the Emperor and Empress."
The inhabitants are in expectation of reaping a boun-
tiful harvest by the visit of the distinguishei Emperor,
and during yesterday seats were letting freely in the
various houses, both public and private, at sums varying
from 58. to 10s. each person.
It is the intention of many of the great tradesmen in
Londcn to have triumphal flags thrown over the entire
width of the carriage ways through which the proces-
sion will pais ; and it is not unlikely that the railway
arch over the Westminster-bridge-road will be decorated
on the occasicn.
The arrangements of police., under the direction of Sir
R. Mayne, are most perfect ; and if the populace• will
only act upon the advice given them, no accidents need ,
be apprehended. The P division, ender Mr. Superin-
tendent Lund, ill have command of the road in front
of the railway station and down a certain portion of the
route, where they will be joined by Mr. Superintendent
Haynes and a powerful body of the M division. At the
corner of the Elephant and Castle Mr. Superintendent
Evans and a body of the L division will protect the
thoroughihre ; and after passing over Westminster-
bridge, Mr. Superintendent Gibbs, of the B division,
with a strong muster of the A division, will take charge
of the road. Considerable numbers from other distant
divisions will also be placed on duty on the entire line
of the procession, which, together with the military, is
thought amply sufficient to keep the many thousand
spectators expected to be present out of danger.
It was stated yesterday at the railway terminus that
the Royal train would arrive at the Bricklayers' Arms
about four o'clock.

The most exact arrangements have been made by the
authorities of the South• Eastern Railway for the safe
and quick passage of the Imperial visitors to London.
The following is the time•bill of the special train, issued
" by authority"
Progress of the Imperial special train, conveying their
Majesties the Emperor and Empress of the French
and his Royal Highness Prince Albert from Dover to
London, en Monday, April 16, 1855:
Leave Dover Station at 2.0 p.m.
Distance,. Time.
5/ Pass Folkestone,, 2.8
121 „ Hy the 2.18
16 y, Smeeth 2.23
201 ~ Ashford 2.28
26 „ Pluckley
2.35
");111 ISltTple°l7unrst.
2.42
2.47
2.50
2.56
434176 i Arrive ::
aPl‘tiTaftdrud'iltoebcnrki.d.
'Woo'''
(For engine to take water.)
Leave Toni-ridge
51 Pass Penshurst
56
~ Edenbridge
61
~ Godstone ............... 3.26
661 „ Red Hi 11... 3.33
3.33
Merstham ............... 3.36
~ Stoat's Nest .............. 3.41
761
~ Croydon ................... 3.46
;81
~ Norwood ................... 3.49
'79:1 „ Anerley ................. 3.50
81 „ Sydenham ................ 3.52 •
82 „ Forest Hill ................ 3.53
841 „ New Cross ............... 3.56
88 „ Bricklayers'Arms Station
London ......... A n

LONDON ROUTE OF THE IMPERIAL
CORTEGE.
At the Bricklayers' Arms station, where the Emperor
and Empress will leave the South-Eastern Railway,
the most extensive preparations have been made for
their recepton. Along the corridor through which
their Majesties will pass from the line to their car-
riages have been erected a series of elegantly arranged
seats, covered with crimson cloth, calculated to accom-
modate nearly L5OO persons. From thence an awning
has been constructed in the area in front of the station,
at which the carriages will be drawn up. On the arrival
of the train their Imperial Majesties will be received by
the chairman, deputy chairman, and directors of the
South-Eastern Company. The train will be under the
conduct of Captain Barlow, the general manager, and
Captain Cudworth, the superintendent of the locomotive
department. The whole of the arrangements at the
-.Winn were yesterday afternoon inspected by Mr.
Weatherhead, the superintendent of the railway police.
Vast crowds were throughout the day assembled around
the station, and the greatest excitement prevailed. In
all houses commanding a view of the entrance to thestation preparations are in progress for the erection o
'eats, while in several instances considerable prices
have been paid for such accommodation. e
rini
The route for to-day from the Brichrilloearcip
Railway Station is as follows :—New gent-road,
St•
Charingpa-crr;
corner, North
jrnaminseteerstrrideget,e,

In the course of yesterday a company of Rifles ar-
rived, by the South Western Railway, from Ports-
mouth, and were shortly afterwards followed by 160
rank and file of the Foot Guards, made up from what
remains of the battalions of the three regiments. The
fine band of the Grenadier Guards is expected to-
morrow. In the afternoon 70 of the metronolitan po-
lice, under the direction of Inspectors Banks and
Walker, arrived, and will remain here until the departure
at the Court.
-At seven o'clock this evening, his Royal Highness
Prince Albert, accompanied by Lord Alfred Paget,
Major-General the Hon. Charles Grey, and Col nel
Francis Hugh Seymour, departed by the South-Western
Railway far Dover. there to meet and welcome the illus-
trious visitors. The Prince was received on the platform
by Mr. Crombie, the secretary of the company.
The mayor has given notice that barriers will be
erected in Thames-street near the entrance to the Great
Western Railway station tomorrow, and that no carriage
or other vehicle will be allowed to pass, except those
proceeding to the Castle, until after the cortege has
passed through the town.
On Tuesday there will be a special meet of her Ma-
jesty's stag hounds, at which the Emperor and Empress
of the French, as well as her Majesty the Queen and his
Royal Highness Prince Albert, will be present. The
meet will take place at Slough or Salt-hill.
The workmen employed in the construction of the
triumphal arches will recommence their labours imme-
diately after twelve o'clock to-night, in order that the
whole may be completed and in perfect order before the
arrival of the Emperor and Empress.
At the terminus of the Great Western Railway, im-
mediately opposite the station, the first object that will
meet the eyes of the illustrious visitors will be "Wel-
come to England," surrounded with laurel. As they
emerge from the Queen's waiting-room and enter the
royal carriages, a guard of honour will present arms.
The triumphal arch in Castle-street has now assumed
so magnificent and elegant an appearance that the fol-
lowing description of it may not be unacceptable. It is
40 feet wide and 50 feet high, divided into three parts,
the centre arch being 35 feet high, and 20 feet wide.
There is an arch on each side 14 feet high and six feet
wide, for the accommodation of foot passengers. The
panels are being filled in with insignia of the Orders of
the Garter and the Thistle. The upper portion is frmed
of wreath and scroll, supporting the Imperial Crown and
Eagle of France, and will be decorated with standards
of England, France, Turkey, and Sardinia, the spaces
being filled in with crescents. In the centre wiil be a
wreath and riband. with the word " Welcome," writ-
ten on the latter. The whole of the arch will be deco•
rated with variegated lamps and evergreens. The arch
at the entrance to the Great Western Railway Station
will be smaller, but equally beautiful.
At the terminus of the South-Western Railway there
will be a brilliant illumination, under the superintend-
ence of Mr. Madigan, the station-master.
The station is precisely opposite, and in full view of
the apartments to be occupied by the imperial visitors,
who will take their departure, on Thursday next, by the
South-Western line for London.

The luggage belonging to the Emperor and Empress
arrived by the South Western Railway at half•past six
o'clock this evening, under the charge of two couriers.
The packages occnpied six of the imperial vans, which
were conveyed to the Castle by post-horses.