The Sun.
London, England, 1849-10-30 00:00:00

IVIIITEHALL.

THE Ear BAIIKATION.—The appearance of Whitehall
brought vividly to recollection the days when the
Thames was the great highway between the east and
west of London, and presented gay and memorable
aquatic scenes, which now, unhappily, are of too
rare occurrence. No inconsiderable portion of his-
tory and an incalculable amount of other literary
productions are occupied with details of rare specta-
cles and extraordinary events which have been wit-
nessed or taken their origin upon this classic ground.
The watermen of this ancient ferry, once noted for
their prowess, and their akill in all appertaining to
their craft, are now extinct, but there was a time
when a visit from a Minister of State, a
Royal Prince, or even a Monarch himself
did not surprise them. So little, however, are 'White-
hall-atairs used now-a-days that the gates are kept
under lock and key, and are never opened except on
regatta days.
The whole of the houses and gardens from which a
view of the embarkation could be obtained were
crowded• with company, consisting chiefly of
elegantly dressed ladies. On the top of the
United Service Museum, which was literally crammed
with spectators, and presented a very singular and
lively appearance, was suspended a magnificent flag,
bearing the royal standard, which waved in streams
over the edifice. The Fusilier band and a•detachment
of that regiment was stationed in Whitehall-yard,
as well as a small body of police, who kept it
entirely free from people. From the commence•
ment of the passage forming the entrance to
Whitehall-stairs to the place of embarkation
crimson drugget was laid down, and it gave
the place a very comfortable appearance. A small
and skilfully arranged platform, covered with the same
material, was floated alongside the royal barge to
facilitate embarking. The royal barge was manned
by 24 men dressed in bright scarlet liveries. There
were also the Queen's shallop, the Adtniralty.barge
and shallop, and a number of smaller boats
moored close to the stairs. Shortly after 12 o'clock,
Lord John Russell and Sir George Grey arrived,
and seemed in excellent spirits, but neither the Noble
Lard nor the Right Hon. Baronet seemed to have
benefited much by their release from the wear and
tear of the session. They were dressed in
the Windsor uniform, which bears a, great
resemblance to that of the navy, being blue, deco-
rated with gold, and each being supplied with a
sword.

We noticed also among the company assembled
Lord Adolphus Fitzclareuce, Sir Francis Baring,
the First Lord of the Admiralty ; Admiral Dundas,
Lord John Bay, Sir John M'Donald, Adjutant-
General; Mr. Parkgr, Secretary of the Admiralty;
Captain Hamilton, Second Secretary, Captain
Berkeley, Sir Baldwin Walker, Surveyor of the
Navy, and Captain Eden.
Lord Adolphus Fitzelarence was dressed in full
naval uniform, as well as several other officers of the
navy.
The Fairy, Admiralty steam-•vessel, was moored out
in the river, as was also the Lord Mayor's state barge,
in which were seated the civic functionaries. A
considerable number of small craft were also an-
chored and fastened together between Westminster
and the Suspension Bridges, each boat displaying
royal standards, union jacks, and innumerable descrip-
tions of other flags.
At a quarter past twelve the officers of the Ad-
miralty
got into their barge, and took up a position
in the centre of the river.
Precisely at the half-hour the striking up of " God
Save the Queen" announced the arrival of the Royal
party. The company assembled on the stairs imme-
diately uncovered. Prince Albert with the two
Royal children having alighted from the carriage
which conveyed them from Buckingham Palace, at
once proceeded to the Royal barge, holding the
Prince of Wales by one hand and the Princess
Royal by the other, and bowing repeatedly on the
way. The sweet and gentle expression of the two
illustrious children could' not but strike the most in-
different obf.erver, and draw from him an exclama-
tion of his admiration. They were dressed in
extremely plain attire—the Prince in a kind of
sailor's: dref3s, consisting of blue jacket, white waist-
coat and ti7owsers, and Byronic collar ; the Princess
Royal in a pink and drawn-silk bonnet, a black velvet
pelisse, an I: a short dress of light material, having
upon it a ! email green pattern. She wore light co-
loured boo ts.

Prince Albert shook bands with Lord John Rus•
seel and Sit George Grey, previous to embarking.
and theßr.le.l children did the same also. They both
seemed to look with astonishment upon the singula,
and exciting scene that the river presented, novel and
entirely o;:iuinal, as it must be, to their yet unexpe-
rienced rn!An ds.
The It.)ral party, who were accompanied by Lady
Littleton an d some officers of the household, having
embarked,; the bargemen and the F ailors
the differ. art gigs and launches set up a loud cheer,
which w•as. reechoed by the people assembled on the
two bring. es, and the wharfs on each side of the river.
L6rd J.. :Russell and Sir George Grey immediately
afterwards took up their position is the royal shallop,
and the otb .er boats having received their occupants,
the procession was foimed as follows :

PROGRAMME.
Tb e Gig of th. 6 Commodore at Woolwich,
Commodore Henry Eden.
Barge c f Admiral at the Nore.
Vic 3-Admiral the llon. George Elliot, C.B.
Barge of the Lord Mayor.
The Queen's State Shallop.
His Royal Highness Prince Albei;t.
nil Royal Highness the Prince of Wales.
f Royal Highness the Princess Royal.
,steered by Capt. Right Hon. Lord
Adolphus Fi; zclarence, G.C.11.
The Queen's Shallop.
State Officers of the Household.
The Admiralty Barge.
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The Lords Commissioner's- of the
Admiralty.
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The Admiralt3:Barge.
Principal Officers at Somerset-house.
The Barge of the Trinity-house.
Corporation of the Trinity.

Other barges.

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The l Mcession, as it went down the river, was re-
ceived rill loud cheers by the thousands who hid
assenibb 01 to witness it.

TILE RIVER.

The F. lie of procession along the river presented a
most ext r aordivary spects,cle of animation. Hunger-
;e was literally bcsieAccl with crowds, and
as it bei t very much under the weight that it had
to suppo ri i,t presented anything but z pleasant sight,
especiail y to those who had in tiKir recollection the
lamented I -catastrophe at Yarmouth.
Every 'available space from the water's edge to the
highest st :lel: of chimneys had been fitted up for the
receptie in of spectators. Waterleo-bridge was co-
vered la itt 1 multitudes, and the eagerness of some to
see the pry icession pass under it, led them to take up
dangero us positions on the parapets.
Along: the whole front of Somerset-house, from
the vin do ws under the arches to the roofs of the
building 7s„ seats had been erected, end tickets of ad-
I mission to those places, as also to the spacious ter-.