The Sun.
London, England, 1863-06-02 00:00:00

TER.

THE PRINCE'S VISIT TO THE CITY.

Again the city is resounding with preparations
to receive and entertain royalty—again there are
to be illuminations, and the police to keep the streets
clear. This time, however, it seems as if an effort
was being made to avoid the perpetration—
and we may add, perpetuation—of the costly
failures with which those who claim to represent
London have on many most conspicuous occasions
contrived to garner up ridicule for themselves in
civic entertainments to royalty. There is scarcely
one of these many most expensive pageants to
which we can look back without feeling that they
nave set warnings to avoid, much rather than '
precedents to imitate. It is not too much to
say of Guildhall festivities that the banquet has
been generally thought to be the attraction ; and
the visitors, the show. H tppily, we are glad to say,
it is intended—and we hope the attempt will be
successful—to turn over a new leaf on this occasion.
The invitations are to be limited to the number
which the hall and outer buildings are capable
of accommodating. There is to be a programme
which it is at least intended to adhere to—the un-
seemly scramble for victuals in the crypt is to be
done away with, and sitting accommodation for 900
visitors at supper is to be provided. There are to
be two suppers at different hours, in order that all
who choose may sup, and at which, between the
two, even the most insatiable will be able to get
enough to eat. Altogether the corporation seems to
have steadily kept in view the crowded, hot,
grumbling annals of previous entertainments, and
thus at last to have seen what to avoid at this. The
new path which they are striking out may not at
once command success, but as a new one it must de
serve it.

As the first advancement the Guildhall is to be
really decorated. It would of course be absurd to
compare this most confined and unimposing in-
terior with the Hotels de Ville of Paris or of Brus-
sels. It is sufficient to say that, poor as it is inside,
it is not so bad but that it is capable of being made
worse when crammed with the tawdry decorations
and stock properties of a Lord Mayor's show. The
Entertaining Cammittee of the Corporation there-
fore have wisely given over the matter of decora-
tions to Mr. Crace, who possesses the rare but most
important merit of never committing a mistake in
the rich good taste of his colours, in the quiet
" singleness" of effect produced by their combina
tion. The Guildhall, as we have intimated, is by
no means a grateful subject to have to deal with i❑
this respect ; yet, judging from what has been done
and what it is still intended to accomplish, it will,
we feel, come out welt on the great day of entertain-
ment, and have an appearance worthy its old tradi-
tions and great historical renown, Its architecture
has been relieved by erecting seven noble principals
or arches, which apparently carry the roof. Though
in fact of the lightest description and material, these
principals or arches look to the eye most massive
and substantial, and when coloured, as it is intended
to colour them, will give to the fiat misshapen
panelled roof the likeness of an old baronial hall of
the oldest and most baronial period of our history.
From these principals will depend gilt chandeliers,
but the actual form of the gas chandelier is to be
completely hidden by gilt flower-baskets, which, on
the night of the ball, will be filled with exotic
creepers trailed down half-way to the floor. The
cornice on which these principals rest has been
richly illuminated in gold and colour, and the whole
walls from this to the dancing floor on the basement
have already been adorned by Mr. Crace in a style
of decoration which has been made subordinate to
the architecture of the hall, rich, yet sufficiently toned
down in colour to seem a hundred years old—quaint
illuminated heraldic designs which seem contempo-
raneous with the old walls themselves. The
effect of the whole is exceedingly good, yet so
perfectly in keeping that though the sense
of improvement is great, it is difficult for the
visitor to say whereabouts it has been effected. The
doubtful piles of marble allegories which go to
form the civic monumental sculpture of Guildhall
are on this occasion, wisely or unwisely, not to be
hidden. In consideration that the motive was
good, though the manner of carrying it out is
unpardonable, the mural piles to the memory of
Nelson and others will be left uncovered, but relieved
with draperies of scarlet cloth- Halfway up the
cluster of columns on either side of the hall groups
of shields and banners will be placed behind branches
of lights. The Chamberlain's gallery and the cor-
responding niche on the opposite side will be draped
with crimson velvet and gold, and the railed bal-
conies on the north and south sides have been gilded
and are to be filled with banks of ferns, palms, and
rare exotics.

So much for the sides of the building. On the
east end the stained glass windows are to be lit from
behind, and beneath them, in the panelling of the
wall are already emblazoned the arms and crowns
of all the Royal guests, English and foreign, who
have been entertained in the hall by the city. At
this end is to be erected the crimson velvet throne,
on a raised dais of purple velvet, for the use of their
Royal Highnesses. At the west end the arch span-
ning the window has been enriched with colours,
and a double row of minute gas jets will light this
portion of the building. It was intended to light
up from behind the stained glass windows at this
end also, but for the good taste of the whole affair
we are grieved to say it has been determined to
darken them in order to give effect co what the city
wish to show—a glassstar lit from behind with gas ?
This is actually a fact, and the only point on which
the civic authorities have interfered with the quiet
good taste of the decorations has been to insist upon
this street illumination being brought in somehow or
other. Absurd as it may appear, all authorities on
matters of taste have been disregarded, and, despite
the commonness of this style of decorations, its obvi-
ous vulgarity and want of keeping with everything
around it, the beautiful stained windows at this
end of the hall are to be darkened, to give
effect to the glitter of a glass star lit with
gas! Beneath this unfortunately chosen orna-
ment at the west-end, the orchestra will be placed
with its outer enclosure built in three compartments,
which will be filled in with mirrors and with figures
of men in armour standing at the bases.
The Council-room is being very simply, but
chastely decorated in light colours relieved with
gold. The pictures on its walls will be lit with
shaded lights, and the spaces between them filled
up with mirrors and the finest groups of greenhouse
flowers that can be procured. Here their Royal
Highnesses the Prince and Princess, with 68 chosen
guests, will sup ; and the end wall of the chamber
in front of the seats of honour will be almost hidden
by one tall, massive, built-up sideboard of golden
plate, of the oldest and rarest kind, which all the
city companies are hastening to place at the dis-
posal of the corporation. The vestibule leading s
ofo
this chamber will be simply filled in with baonf
flowers interspersed with lights and groups
sta-
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be very nearly the size of the main hall itself, nearly
40ft. broad by 100 ft. long. This occupies the yard
in front of the hall, and is built in two stories and
of immense strength and solidity as regards
its framework of timber. The lower hall, if we
may so term it, is divided by groups of
columns into seven bays
which along the walls
will be filled in with tapestry, and richly draped
with Velvet. The visitors will pass along two
Passages made on either side of this temporary struc-
ture, but along the centre avenue which leads
direct from Guildhall-yard to the main hall, none
will be allowed to enter until their Royal High-
nesses have passed. The upper storey of this tem-
porary hall is to be decorated like the basement,
and laid out for supper—sitting accommodation
being provided, as we have said, for 900 guests.
After their Royal Highnesses have entered the build-

ing the base storey of this outer hall will be us,t, d
for dancing, and the Corporation are not unnaturally
anxious that it will be so used by sufficient numbers.
to prevent any unnecessary crowding into the main
hall, where, of course, etiquette will oblige the
Prince and Princess to remain. Their Royal High-
nesses have signified their intention of arriving at
Guildhall at nine o'clock, and it is scarcely neces-
sary to say that on these occasions all visitors hon-
oured with invitations are bound in strict politeness
to be present before the hour fixed for the arrival
of the Royal guests. At half-past eight all
irap-
proaches to Guildhall will be closed to tie carriages
of visitors until after the arrival of the
Royal
Highnesses. Immediately on the arrival of the
Prince and Princess they will be conducted tO the
dais, accompanied by the Duke and Duchess of
Cambridge, the Princess Mary, and other mcmberto
of the Royal Family. At the foot of the dais flan
freedom of the city will be presented to his Royal
Highness, enclosed in a casket of solid gold--a
casket so exquisite in its design and elaborate
finish as to make it the foremost artistic gift which
the City has ever given to Royalty. It is without a
doubt the greatest triumph of goldsmith's work that
has been achieved in London for many years past.
This noble gift will be accompanied with an address,
to which his Royal Highness will reply. After
which the ball will commence at half-past nine. The
first supper will be served for the general guests
soon after twelve, and the second at about one.
The whole of the decorations and arrangements are
well in hand, and will, it is expected, be completed
by next Saturday nigl- t.