The Sun.
London, England, 1864-09-22 00:00:00

The Prince and Princess of Wales iu

Denmark.

(From the times' Special Got respondent.)
COPENHAGEN, Saturday.
When the distinguished company assembled at
Christiansborg Palace last evening left the concert-
room, where for more than two hours Danish melo-
dies had been plaid or sung in brilliant succession,
they proceeded to the Riddersaal, or great baequet-
ticg-hall, an apartment of truly Royal dimensions,
and such as might have been erected by that Prince
who declared that Westminster-hall was intended
by him merely for a bedroom in the palace he was
ebout to build. Ou the way thither a procession was
formed in the following order:—First the Hof-Mare
shal or Lerd High Steward, Gen. Oxholm ; then
the Prince of \Vales leading in Her Majesty the
Queen of Denmark; next the King, accompanying
her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales, the
Landgrave William of Hesse with the Princess
Mary of Anhalt, the Crown Prince of Denmark and
the Princess Hilda of Anhalt ; finally Prince Hans
of Gluckaburg with the Princess Degmar. The
immediate suites of Royalty and the more distin-
guished guests, that is to say, in Danish phrase,
"the ladies of the Court and cavaliers," followed,
and finally those constituting the general company.
Passing from the Hall of Music through what is
called the Seventh Great Room, and which no doubt
purposely was kept a little gloomy, a scene of rare
beauty burst upon them as they entered the Rid-
dersaal. The height of this enormous room is fully
50 feet, its length and width are proportionate, and
when illumined by 2,000 wax lights, the pureness
of its decorations, of white and gold throughout,
conveyed to the senses an impression as of an atmo-
sphere of lustrous ivory. It was only by degrees
that the eye accustomed itself to the details, and
learnt to admire the ceiling moulded into a pattern
diamond shaped and deeply recessed, the exqusite
marble frieze by Bissen, and the means existing for
throwing down this wonderful body of light, with■
out the intervention of a single lamp. Five large
tables for refreshments ran round the apartment,
and in the centre was one specially devoted to the
Royal party. The latter answered at the same
time the purposes of a buffet, there being displayed
upon it three splendid silver stands, illustrative cf
hunting scenes, which were made in Paris for Chris-
tian VII., also three beautiful vases, dating from the
time of Frederick VI., enriched upon their lofty
aides with views of Frendensborg, Fredericksburg,
and Sorgenfri, the residence of the Queen Dowager.
The refreshments, which were moulded by culinary
art into wonderful shapes, and were, it is needless
to add, of the choicest quality, were taken standing,
by the company. After supper had practically
concluded the members of the royal party remained
for a long time in conversation with their guests.
Among those with whom they talked freely was the
First or Senior Bishop of Zealand—for in Denmark
they have no archbishops—tbe heed of the Luthe-
ran Establishment in the country. This right reve-
rend prelate, equally with the other clergymen pre-
sent, was attired in the costume which has been
handed down in its integrity from the time of
Luther. Offering, however, from the officiating
clergy of particular districts he, with his colleagues
among the higher orders in the ministry, is entitled
to wear silk, and even velvet, instead of the plain
stuff dress or gown ; and when to this decorations
for long and distinguished service are added, it may
be questioned whether even the formal Lutheran
costume does not approach somewhat near to the
" pomps and vanities." In every quarter of the
room to which the Queen of Denmark happened to
make her way her pretence could be traced when
her face could not be seen by the lustre of the
diamond head-dress which she wore. Judg-
ing from their size, these brilliants probably
formed part of the Regalia. Ribands and badges
were by no means confined to the male por-
tion of the assembly, for several of the ladies
present were similarly distinguished. These were
members, not of the order of the Parfaite Alliance,'
open to ladies as well as to gentlemen, which once
existed in Danmark, but of the Royal Chapter of
Valloe, a wealthy and benevolent order, to which
none but 'relies of noble birth are admitted. Of
members in this there are at least four grades, and
it is indispensable that they should all be peeresses
in their own right. In the first of these grades the
members are entitled to a residence, to a yearly ins
come of 1,200 e'eus, and to other advantages, includ-
ing the privilege of wearing the badge and riband
of the order ; the second class can only wear the
badge, receiving 550 ecus yearly; to the third class
300 ccus annually are given without any honorary
distinction. This order, half feudal, half eleemosy-
nary, was established in the year 1737 by Sophia
Madeline, wife of Christian VI. Glancing from the
shoulder knots and ciphers in brilliants worn by this
honourable sisterhood, to the other portions of the
radiant assembly met together in this kingly hall,
it was impossible to believe that this could be a
State in its decadence, and almost in danger of dis-
appearing from the map of Europe. Where were
the symptoms of that decay and corruption foretell-
ing the final agony ? The King was surrounded by
Ministers—men, indeed, who might have been mis-
taken in their action, but of unswerving honesty
and integrity of purpose ; by generals representing
an army of such indomitable courage that it never
ceased to show front to its enemies, though crushed
by overwhelming disparity of force. Men of historic
title—the Danneskiold-Samsoes, Oxholms, Lewene
skiolds, Laurvigens, Ahlefelts, Brestropps—stood
around him. Great landholders, such as the Counts
of Schulein, Holstein-Ledreburg, Langeland, and
DADIIeMaI3, were in attendance to prove their
loyalty. The truth is that in all that
constitutes the true progress of a nation
Denmark has not declined of late years. Doers
with larger populations may have advanced more
rapidly, but for that she cannot be blamed. Edu-
cation and respect for the laws have never been
more general in the country ; nearly every social
grade is comfortably off; the institutions aro, if
anything, only too liberal. Last, but certainly, not
least, the Court, like our own, is one where the
breath of scandal can find nothing upon which to
rest and blacken. Such was the scene of the Ride
dersaal, and such the reflections it provoked. It
only remains to be added that the perfect success of
the evening's entertainments was largely owing to
the admirable arrangements made beforehand, and
carried out under Vie personal supervision of the
Hof-Marshal and Marechal de la Cour.

MR. COXWELL S BEN 1.,F IT AT THE CRYSTAL
PALACE.—Yesterday was a busy day at the Crystal
Palace for all who take an interest in ballooning, Mr Cox-
well, who has done so much to raise it from a mere amuse-
ment to the dignity et a scientific pursuit, took his first
benefit there, and throughout the day furnished a continual
succession of novel and interesting exhibitions of his art.
The balloon races were a great success, and at half-past
four Mr Coxwell, accompanied by some half-dozen adven-
turous volunteers, made an ascent in the "Mammoth,"
which now deserves to be reckoned as ono of the great
scientific observatories of the world. Later on there were
some entertaining experiments in the Central Transept
with a navigable aerial ship, and at half-past 7 there was a
grand night ascent in the "Mars," wish a display of fire-
works. Mr Coxwell was loudly cheered whenever he ap-
peared, and on all sides there seemed to bo a general dis-
position to make amends to him for the illusage he suffered
from the turbulent Foresters at Leicester. The admissions
on payment were 10,837—by season tickets, 2,625—t0ta1,

13,462.
A letter from Lyons, in the Moniteur des Arts
states that some workmen engaged in digging near
the wood of Rochecardon, in the environs of that city, have
discovered traces of a Roman camp. Near the surface they
found a quantity of fragments of arms and other articles,
chiefly bronze, and, at the dtpth of 18 feet, a number of
swords, battle-axes, spear-heads, &c., all in tolerable pre-
servation. They also found a number of bronze coins,
bearing the heads of Domitian Antoninus and Marcus Au-
relius, and one silver medal of the Emperor Albinos. It is
supposed that this spot was the scene of a fierce conflict in
the great battle between Albinos and Soptimus Severus,
which is known to have taken place on the left bank of the
Saone in that neighbourhood. All the objects found in
these excavations are now in the possession of M. Vaganay,
an antiquary of Lyons.
INDIAN AllMY.—Orders hate gone out and were
received in India on the 14th of July last, to remove from
cadres, and give promotion in their place, all lieutenant.
colonels who have been trans erred to the staff corps, but
the transfer does not go lower. This will give considerable
promotion. Promotion is also to be given fur transfers into
line Regiments.—.2lforning Test.
The friends of Cooper and Clasper met on Nlon-
. day, and drew up articles to row a mile race on the 26th
October, Cooper staking X5O against Clasper's £.1.5.