The Sun.
London, England, 1854-04-15 00:00:00

THE LATE REVIEW AT PARIS.

As a review of French troops, at Paris, in pre-
sence of a Prince of the Blood Royal of England,
and of an English General Officer, and in especial
compliment to them, is an event of which history
preserves no previous record, it is, perhaps, advis-
able to give all the particulars of so unprecedented
an occurrence. We, therefore, now extract a ver-
sion from Galignani, in addition to the account
which we published on Thursday :
" The grand review ordered by the Emperor, in hon-
our of H.R.H. the Duke of Cambridge, took place yes-
terday, in the Champ de Mars, and passed off with im-
mense eclat.
"At about 12 o'clock, the troops began to arrive in
the Champ-de-Mars. They consisted of—lnfantry : the
sth, Bth, 9th, 13th, 16th, 22d, 28th, 32d, 36th, 38th,
51st, 53d, 63d, and 67th Regiments of the line ; the 3d,
Bth, 12th, and 13th Regiments of Light Infantry ; the
sth, Bth, and 20th battalions of the Chasseurs de Vin-
cennes ; the 2d battalion of the gendarmerie mobile ;
and the 2d battalion of the garde de Paris. Cavalry: the
Ist and 2d Carabineers, the 9th and 10th Cuirassiers, the Guides, the 4th Regiment of Light Dragoons, 2
squadrons of the garde de Paris,_ 1 squadron of the
gendarmerie de la Seine, the 7th Dragoons (from Me-
lon), the 12th Dragoons (from Saint Germain), the
6th Hussars (from Fontainebleau), and the 7th Light
Dragoons (from Compitne). Artillery : the batteries
of the Ist Regiment attached to the army of Paris.—
Finally, Engineers—The companies attached to the arm
of Paris. The infantry, about 26,000, divided into 24 battalions, were formed into six lines on the left of the
Champ de Mars, entering from the Pont d'Jena ; they
were under the orders of General de Levasseur, assisted
by Generals de Division Renault and Bourgon, and Ge-
nerals de Brigade Repond, Marulas, Ripert, Esterhazy,
and Courand. Each line extended the entire length of
the Champ de Mars, and between each there was a dis-
tance of about 15 yards. The cavalry were drawn up in
three lines on the opposite side, and divided into four
brigades, consisting of 45 squadrons ; General de Division
Kerte commanded chief, and the brigades were under
the orders of Generals de Brigade Foray, Gado, Marion,
and the Duke de Montebello. The artillery, consisting
of seven batteries with 42 guns, were ranged in front of
the Ecole Militaire, and were under the orders of General
de Brigade Auvity. The cavalry and artillery were
about 6,000 strong.
"By the time the troops had taken up their posi-
tions, a vast crowd of spectators of all classes had as-
sembled around the immense arena of the Champ de
Mars, and others continued to pour in from all direc-
tions at every moment. Elegant stands, capable of
holding several hundred spectators, were erected
in the centre on the right hand-side, and were
thronged to excess by the highest aristocracy—ladies
being in the majority. The long line of windows and
even the roof of the Ecole Militaire were also crowded,
chiefly by ladies. Even the heights of Chaillot, which
command a distant view of the ground, were thronged
with spectators. To afford the pedestrian sight-seers a
a good view, tables, chairs, forms, hand-carts, and tem-
porary scaffolds were arranged all round the Champ de
Mars ; and though the weather at first was unfavourable,
the rain falling pretty smartly, the speculators in these
things reaped an abundant harvest. On the ground, in
the stands—everywhere, were more English of both
sexes and all classes than we ever remember to have
seen on any public occasion in Paris.
" One o'clock was fixed for the commencement of the
review, and half-past twelve for the departure of the
Emperor and the Prince from the Tuileries. At about
twelve, general officers in full uniform began to assem-
ble in the court-yard of the palace, and amongst them
were observed several German and other foreign officers in
white, blue, and dark green uniforms. To witness the
departure a large crowd collected in the Place du Car-
rousel and in the garden of the Tuileries ; and from the
latter all the way to the Champ de Mars, spectators
were assembled in great numbers.
"Shortly after the clock struck half-past 12, the
Emperor and the Duke of Cambridge mounted their
horses. They were accompanied by Lord Raglan, Lord
Cowley, Lord de Roe, Colonel Tyrwhitt, Colonel Shele,
Colonel Paulett Somerset, Major Wellesley, and Major
Stopford Claremont, and by Marshal Vaillent, Minister
of War, Marshal Saint Arnaud, commander-in-chief of
the French army of the East, Marshal Magnan, com-
mander-in-chief of the army of Paris, and other French
officers of distinction. In attendance on the Emperor
were a number of officers of his Majesty's military house-
hold, in new uniforms of a clear blue colour and of great
elegance, together with several aides-de-camp and offi-
ciers d'ordonnance ; and in attendance on the marshals
were also numerous officers.
"The Empress, the Princess Mathilde, the Grand
Duchess of Baden, Prince Jerome, and their suites, left
in carriages for the Champ de Mars shortly before the
Emperor. Her Majesty and their Imperial Highnesses
there occupied stands specially prepared for them. Lady
Cowley and other English ladies of distinction were
placed near her Majesty.
" The Emperor having given the order for departure,
his Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge placed him-
self on his Majesty's right hand ; Lord Raglan and the
French Marshals just behind, the French, English, and
foreign officers a little behind them. The cortege pre-
sented a most brilliant appearance, owing to the variety
of the uniforms. The striking yet simple red of the
English was of course the principle feature in it, and it
was that which attracted most attention. All our officers
were, however, not in scarlet—three or four wore the
uniforms of the rifles, or the blue of some of the cavalry
regiments. The cortege was preceded by a picket of
guides, and was closed by one of cuirassiers.
" Passing along the Pavilion de l'Horloge, the cortege
proceeded along the principal avenue of the garden of
the Tuilleries. Here, loud and enthusiastic cries arose
of Vive rEmpereur ! " Vive l'Angleterre !" Vive le
Due de Cambridge ? ' The cries for the Emperor, how-
-1 ever, predominated; but still the cordiality manifested
towards the English Prince and his confreres d'armcs
could not well be exceeded. The cortege passed by the
Cours de la Reine, in the Champs ElysCes, to the Quai,
and along the Quai to the Champ de Mars, by the Pont
d'Hria. Throughout this lengthened route the crowd
was very great, and cries for the Emperor, and the
Prince, and the English arose again and again.
"Arrived in the Champ de Mars, the illustrious Eng-
lish visitor and his companions were evidently struck by
the magnificent spectacle of so many thousand men, ar-
ranged in all the pomp of military pageantry. It was
indeed a noble sight ; and its grandeur was enhanced
by the reflection that it was, so to speak, the formal
military and popular ratification of the "solemn league
and covenant" which, happily, now unite the two
mightiest nations of the earth.
"The moment the Emperor and the Prince appeared,
the drums of all the forces beat, and the trumpets
clanged their rude yet spirit-stirring welcome —at the
same time the order to present arms was given. His
Majesty and his Royal Highness immediately proceeded
to pass along the lines of the infantry, their numerous
and brilliant staff following. The Duke of Cambridge
and Lord Raglan minutely scrutinised the troops ; and,
as well as could be judged from their gestures, both re-
peatedly expressed their admiration at their splendid ap-
pearance. The Chasseurs de Vincennes, who formed the
first line, appeared to attract the special attention of the
Royal uke. After passing along all the lines of infantry,
the Emperor and the Duke proceeded to review the artil-
lery, after which his Majesty and his Royal Highness
went along the lines of the cavalry. Just as they had
terminated this inspection, the rain ceased and the sun
broke forth. At this moment the scene was very strik-
ing, the helmets and swords of the cavalry and the bay-
onets of the infantry glittered in the sunshine, whilst at
the same time dark clouds continued to overhang Paris.
thus forming a contrast worthy of the painter's art.
"The Emperor, the Duke of Cambridge, and their
staffs, now placed themselves in front of the stands in
the centre of the Champ de Mars—the Emperor a little
in advance of the Prince, and the Prince of the Generals
and officers. The infantry formed in column by bat-
talions. The cavalry, by an admirably executed move-
ment, were formed into squadrons, and collected near
the Ecole Militaire, behind the artillery. The artillery
were also put en colonise by half batteries. After these
movements were executed, the filing off commenced.
The infantry went first, the Chasscurs deVincennes head-
ing them; then came the artillery, and then the cavalry.
Each division and brigade was preceded by its respective
generals. The filing off was splendidly performed, nothing
indeed could be grander than to see such vast masses
of men moving with almost mathematical exactitude.
When the operation was concluded, the cavalry formed
in masses extending the whole length of the Champ de
Mars, and executed a sort of charge.
" But after all the most remarkable part of this splen-
did pageant was not the appearance of the troops, how
ever magnificent, but their bearing and that
of
othe.
multitude of spectators towards the English. That our
countrymen would be received with courtesy, no one
could doubt, from the exquisite politeness and b
sspi.
tality of the French. It was not, however, with mere
politeness that they were greeted, but with marked and
even affectionate cordiality. As the Duke of Cam-
bridge passed along the lines, loud and constant cries
werewith
of " Vivo l'Angleterre ! Vice le Prince
conjunctionAnglaisr'
raised both by soldiers and people,
the shouts of •• Vive l'Empereur !" and during the filling
off these cries were again repeated with marked enthu-
siasm by both. The hands, too, of most of the regi-
ments frequently played " God save the Queen !"
Amongst the pedestrians, that is to say the lower and
most numerous part of the spectators, the friendly feeling
towards the English was in fact so great as to occasion
surprise. " Which is the Prince ?" " Which is Lord
Raglan?" were the universal inquiries, whenever the
Imperial cortege passed near : and whenever any good•
natured fellow said—(with, by the way, as regarded
the Duke, a greater desire to oblige than, perhaps, his
knowledge of English social distinction;
warranted)—
" Voila, Lord Cambridge, le Prince Atielais—celui-lit
cAt6 do l'Empereur!" or "Voila, Milord Raglan qui n'a qu'un bras !"—.whenever such a reply was re-
turned, up rose a shout of " Vive le Prince ! Vivent les
Anglais !" One would have said, really, that per-
fidious Albion " had never existed in the imagination of
the French, and that French and English had been fast
friends for ages !
"After the troops bad ranged themselves in order, as
above stated, the Emperor, the Duke of Cambridge, and
their staffs left the ground, the troops presenting arms,
the drums beating, and trumpets playing as on their
arrival. His Majesty and his Royal Highness returned
to the Tuileries by the route they had taken. A far
greater crowd lined the whole road, and repeated with
enthusiasm cries of " Vive l'Empereur !" with not a
few for the Princo and the English. Cries, too, were
heard of "A bas lee Cosaques !" Shortly after reaching
the Palace, the Royal Duke and Lord Raglan took leave
of his Majesty, and were conveyed to the English Em-
bassy in one of the Imperial carriages—their aides-de-
camp following in another.
"Such is an imperfect account of a great and eventful
day, both for France and England."