The Sun.
London, England, 1862-08-20 00:00:00

RAILWAYS.

Cash. Account.
Orleans lO2O .. 1018 75
Northern
New, ditto .ll
Lyons and Mediterranean 1105 INS
Geneva 350
Southern 836 25 .. 835
Western
Eastern
Sardinian
Austrian
Loirbard

FORESTERS' FETE AT THE CRYSTAL
PALACE.

The annual monster gathering of the Foresters
took place yesterday. The approaches to London-
bridge were crowded with vehicles filled with the
Foresters and their friends intending to take part
in the fete. Victoria Station, we understand, was
less crowded, but at London-bridge people at one
o'clock who feared a fearful crush had been waiting
since nine or ten o'clock. In fact many persons
gladly availed themselves of the old omnibus routes
to the Palace, finding the rail so hopelessly thronged.
Doubtless the fine weather fed the cram to the
very top of its bent. Special trains for the fete
had come up by nearly every line running into
London. The first special item in the day's pro-
gramme was the procession of Foresters from the
cricket ground, accompanied by the bands of the
Duke of York's school boys, Irish Rifles, Reade and
Mann's, and a saxhorn band, " with members in
costume from all parts of England." The said
members looked picturesque enough when asso-
ciated in large numbers, but when, as they often
did, they came upon the spectators individually,
they bore such a family likeness to the stage bri-
gand type that laughter was irresistible. There is,
however, nothing to be treated lightly in the objects
of the Foresters' clubs, or in those working men
who toil for their management. These societies
have taught their managers lessons in government
and consequently in politics and economics that will
in some future day receive their due meed of
acknowledgment.

All day long the Palace and grounds continued
to receive additions to its crowds. The only enter-
tainment the people seemingly feared to miss was
"Blondin on the rope." Promptly at three o'clocK
Blondin commenced his fearful march. The view
from the Palace was at this time singularly striking
and beautiful. Not a cloud floated in the sky,
across which swept a pretty strong south wind.
The exquisite prospect from the Palace of wood
and field, hill and dale, was never seen in greater
or clearer beauty up to the last ridge of hills,
where Knockholt beaches bound the view. But
not a word of admiration or exclamation
of joy at the beauty of the scene fell
on the ear. No ! from the terrace, through
the transparent walls of the Palace, every eye
sought the human performer and followed his every
movement. From below a myriad of upturned faces
turned to Blondin, so numerous that they hid the
large grounds of the Palace. Clothed in the gay
hues of summer, the aspect of the spectators was
very charming. But all grow still as Blondin
waves his hand to the music to begin, and all watch
him with 'bated breath as he goes through that
fearful programme with which the reader is now
familiar. Blondin never indulged in more sensa-
tion pranks than yesterday, and was never more
successful. He never had promised to wheel a
Forester over the rope in his barrow. If the green
jerkin, gauntlets, &c., which make up the costume
of the Forester are his essentials, Blondin kept his
word. Everybody present, we believe, felt glad
to see him lift a dummy of the Guy Fawkes species
into his barrow, made up as a Forester. He is
master of stage bye-play, and showed his skill
liberally on this occasion, to the gratification especi-
ally of his unsophisticated observers. Archery
prizes were then shot for, the fountains shot
forth their exquisite rainbowed spray in the rich
sunlight, and then the real gambols commenced.
Some still followed the programme and listened to
the Palace band or the grand organ; but all the
younger throng took to the grounds. A few there
disported with Aunt Sally and the like. But the
thousands went in for kiss-in-the-ring quite in the
old " Greenige" Fair style. From the terraces to
the great ponds there was a general sound of
smacks, rivalling the drawing of corks in the
entr'acte of a theatre. The Irish band was sta-
tioned here, and played frequently popular dance
tunes; but at every rest off went the dancers as
before, and the drawing of corks all round was
again the rule of the music. Not less than a dozen
such kissing circles were in full play at once_ and
all the evening. The process was simple, an our
Cockney damsels had to initiate country eih°uds,thse
It used to be the Turkish mode of
handkerchief. We have changed
a
morsel of paper, like a cigarette, the instrument.
throwing
rtahwat, gand a
This the swain presents to
th© damsel standing
accepts the paper, or
round the ring. If she
bolts, „
wisely
rather dallies with it, she „ b
running hard, she is cap-
tured,smac -.ed full mid-ring.
she be pursued; if 819,
d k in mid-ring.
The more licence. She flings
youetafrance, and. if you
Thela dbyroiuoghhto.back,
are a true knight
ythoeu her to the last. Our observation
the damsels used their right very freely. But
was--the
pursuein