The Sun.
London, England, 1838-09-06 00:00:00

ARRIVAL OF THE KING AND QUEEN OF THE

BELGIANS.

Information having been received here on the morning of
Monday, the 3d, that their Majesties intended again to honour
this town on the following day, by disembarking from Ostend,
no time was lost in sending a requisition to the Deputy to call
an " early meeting of the inhabitants, to consider what steps
should be taken on the occasion, in order that the Royal visi
tors might be received with due respect.
A public meeting accordingly took place on the same after-
noon, when it was resolved that an Address should ba pre-
pared, and that their Majesties should be received on landing
by a deputation of the inhabitants and visitors nominated for
the purpose.
The Address having been prepared by the Committee, Sir
WUliani Curtis was requested to make arrangements with
M. Van Der Weyer, the Belgian Minister, as to the time,
&c. when their Majesties would be pleased to receive the
Address. It having been understood that the King and
Queen would leave Ostend yesterday morning, about ten,
their arrival was expected shortly after four o'clock. Long
before that hour the town and pier presented a most animated
scene.
All the vessels in the harbour were gaily decorated with
flags. The Consulates exhibited the colours of the various
nations which they represented, and the Belgian ensign waved
at the Albion Hotel, and other houses. Lord Torrington
arrived from Windsor Castle in the morming with one of her
Majesty's carriages, and M. Van Der Weyer was in readiness
to receive his Royal master.
The trustees of the harbour had placed a barrier across the
East pier, near the landing steps, in order to secure the end
of the pier from general use, to which the deputation (who
were to receive the Royal visitors) and several ladies and gen-
tlemen, were admitted by tickets. From four till six o'clock
there was an accession of visitors, when the general coup
d' cell was of a most animating description.
In the group of rank and fashion before the bar assembled
to welcome the Royal strangers on their arrival, we noticed
her Royal Highness the Princess Sophia of Gloucester (who
is residing at West Cliff, near Ramsgate), his Excellency
M. Van Der Weyer, Lady Augusta Baring, Lord Torring-
ton, Sir William and Lady Curtis and family, Sir P. Acland,
Bart., &c. &c. The Duke of Wellington arrived from Weimer
Castle, and was most cordially and respectfully greeted ; but
as the vessel was not in sight at seven o'clock, the expectant
multitude gradually deserted the pier, thinking it most pro-
bable their Majesties would not arrive till the following day.
The Duke of Wellington honoured Sir W. Curtis with
his company to dinner at Cliff House.
About eight o'clock a most pitiless pelting storm, accompa-
nied with vivid flashes of lightning, drove the lingerers on the
pier to take speedy shelter.
As the weather cleared a steam-vessel was seen at a dis-

tance making her way towards the harbour. It was
soon ascertained that this was the Widgeon, steam-
mail packet, Captain Hamilton, of Dover, in which
their Majesties were expected to arrive. A salute was
fired from Sir W. Curtis' yacht, as the Widgeon entered
the harbour. It had been. previously arranged that a
double royal salute of 42 guns should be given from the pier,
bad their Majesties entered earlier, but their late arrrival pre-
vented this.

The King and Queen were received at the landing steps
at the east pier-bead by the Duke of Wellington, M. Van
Der Weyer, Sir William Curtis, and the deputation, and by
Mr. Hodges, Belgian Consul, who escorted their Majesties
to the Albion Hotel.
One of the carriages of our Queen, and one of Sir W.
Curtis, were in readiness to convey their Majesties, but they
preferred walking. The TVidgeon left Ostend at two o'clock,
and made her passage in less than seven hours. She bore
the Belgic flag and British standard.
Notwithstanding the unexpected arrival at that late hour,
9 o'clock, and the previous showers, the pier and street were
densely thronged, and the Royal party made their way to the
Albion Hotel amidst deafening cheers. Shortly after the
arrival of their Majesties at the Albion Hotel, the deputation
was summoned to the Assembly-rooms where they were
ushered into the Royal presence, and received a most gra-
cious reception, when the following address was read by Sir
William Curtis

" We, the inhabitants and visitors of Ramsgate, St. Lau-
rence, and its vicinity, beg leave most respectfully to approach
your Majesties with sentiments of gratitude for the honour
again conferred upon us by selecting the Royal harbour of
Ramsgate as the place of debarkation.
" We offer our fervent wishes for the health and prosperity
of your Majesties and of your illustrious progeny, as well as
for the welfare of the nation over whose destinies your Ma-
jesties by divine Providence have been placed."
The King replied to the following effect :
" Gentlemen—The Queen and myself are very grateful for
your kindness and attention to us on this and many other oc-
casions.

" I hope to be able to pay visits to the Queen, my niece,
occasionally—that is, as often as I can ; and from the attention
I have received, I shall ever esteem the people of Ramsgate.
I have always felt an interest in their welfare, and shall have
much pleasure in selecting this port on my future visits to
England."
Their Majesties looked very well after the voyage. The
King expressed himself much gratified at the public attention-
and respect shown him at Ramsgate, and entered into conver-
sation with several members of the deputation with much con-
descension. After a short time the Queen retired and the
Committee withdrew.

The King and Queen dined alone.
dined together at the Albion Hotel.
This morning ( Wednesday) at half-past six a salute of 42
guns was given from the Harbour, and at 8 o'clock the Royal
party left us to:. Windsor in six carriages and four. We
regret to say that a serious accident occurred this morning
to one of the pier-men employed at the guns during the firing.
A man named Kemp, carrying a cartridge for one of the guns,
went by mistake to a cannon about to be fired, when his car-
tridge exploded, and his face and arm were dreadfully injured.
His arm was immediately amputated. The King sent the
poor man five pounds on hearing of the accident.

The Royal suite, &c.,