The Sun.
London, England, 1831-08-29 00:00:00

CHELTENHAM., AUG. 26.

The Grand Duchess HELENA of Russia and suite arrive 1
at the Plough Hotel yesterday evening, about five. As t! e
carriages entered the town the bells struck up a merry
peal, and continued ringing for some time. This morn
ing, at eight o'clock, her Imperial Highness, accompanied
by the Countess NIESSELRODE, Prince GARGARINE, CnitHit
LOBSTAIN, Sir A. CREIGHTON, Physician to the late Em-
peror of RcssiA, F. CRANIPTON, Esq. and Captain MAR-
r.r., Master of the Ceremonies, proceeded to the Mont-
pelier Spa, where she drank the waters, after which the
patty went to view the gardens opposite to the Spa, and
returned again through the grand promenade to their resi-
dence. Her Highness was also attended by Dr. CANNON,
who, and Sir A. CREIGHTON, act as her physicians during
her stay in Cheltenham.

THEIR IIAJESTIES.

(From the Windsor Express.)

We have the pleasure of announcing that the KING and
Qv EF.I!! continue to enjoy excellent health, and to take their
daily excursions in the vicinity of the Great Park and Vir-
ginia Water.
This afternoon (Saturday) at a few minutes after three
o'clock, their MAJESTIES and the distinguished Court left
the Castle in six carriages with outriders for Burlington
Villa, Chiswick, the residence of the Duke of DEVONSHIRE,
to be present at the fraud fete champetre which his Grace
gives this day to the KING and QUEEN and the whole of
the itoyal Family. The fete commences at four o'clock
Four hundred cards of invitation have been issued, and
preparations have been making for some days past on a
grand scale. There is no doubt, therefore, that this fete,
like the rest of the Duke of DEVONSHIRE'S entertainment,
will he of a description the most recherche.

The Duchess of CAMBRIDGE and the Princess AUGUSTA
of Cambridge will take their departure from this coturry
immediately after the Coronation.

There will be a grand show at the opening of the New
Church at Hampton, on Thursday. The KING and
QUEEN, and the rest of Royal FanLly, will go in state, and
the Bishop of LONDON, it is expected, will officiate.
I❑ a few days, busts of MARLuottoccn and WELLING
TON will be placed in the Guard Chamber, on each side
that of the immortal NELSON. The mast of the Victory,
on which the latter is placed, is an interesting object, as it
bears evident testimony to the prominent part which that
vessel took in the memorable action, being in a very muti-
lated state, and pei forated through the centre by a shot.
The Knights present at the Chapter of the Garter held
last Saturday, %vete—their Royal Highnesses the Dukes of
CUMBERLAND, SUSSEX, and GLOUCESTER ; the Dukes of
BEAUFOItT, WELLINGTON, DEVONSHIRE, and RICH-
MOND ; the Marquisses of WELLESLEY, CAMDEN, and
HERTFORD; the Earls Of WESTMORELAND and GREY.
There were present to witness the ceremony—the QUEEN,
the Duchesses of CUMBERLAND, GLOUCESTER, and SAYE
WEIMAR ; Princess GEORGE of Cumberland and Cam-
bridge, together with the Ministers, High Officers of the
Household, and Ladies, and several Foreign Ministers of
State.

The effect of St. George's hall, when prepared for the
grand banquet to the Knights' Companions of the order to
which it is specially dedicated, was very magnificent, and
exceeded in splendour any display of the kind that has been
witnessed in this country for many years. The noble hall,
always an object of beauty and admiration, and rivalling
some of the fittest in Europe in its proportions, appeared to
shine with dazzling splendour when lighted up for this
occasion. Tie centre table, which was laid for SI persons,
was elegantly decorated with the superb fervice of gold
plate, and lighted with numerous gold branches, which
were placed on bases filled wi h looking glass, which ap-
peared considerably to multiply the number of lights.
Ranged down the hall, too, on either side, at equi-distant
spaces, were handsome gilt pillars, each bearing three
beautiful lamps with ground glass covers. But the grand
object of attraction was the display of gold on the side-
board. This appeared to be, as it were, one entire blaze.
Here were heaped up on every side round the enormous
and magnificent wine-cooler—which formed the centre
and surmounted the whole—richly chased vases and goblets
of gold, cups of crystal with sterna of gold studded with
diamonds and other precious stones, gold salvers, &c., all
profusely but tastefully displayed, and glittering with their
pristine lustre. The handamne Goodwood Cup, won last
year by his Majesty's horse Fleur-de lia, was among the
number. One massive gold salver, richly embossed, and
containing several thousand ounces of gold, was made en-
tirely out of King GEORGE IV.'s gold snuff-boxes, the de-
scription of each being recorded at the back of the salver.
Opposite to this was a solid gold frame, in which were in-
geniously arranged the snuff boxes which have been pre-
sented to his present MAJESTY, with an account of them
inscribed at the back. Connected, indeed, with almost
every article is some history or anecdote, which gives to
each an extrinsic value over and above that which they
derive from the costliness of the materials of which they
are composed. An o,.ject of extreme curiosity and great
value was the celebrated peacock which once -belonged to
Tinos SA ; the body of this bird is of fine gold, and the
plumage is admirably represented by great quantities of pre-
cious stones of various kinds and hues, in the value of
Ceocnossistltin
its
goifetahte
worth.work-
manship, intoth
Over the beautiful black marble mantel-piece were placed
which, however,
jyberatphrteT,itihnawnd
the silver kettle drums presented by the KING to the 2d re-
giment of Life Guards, anti above these were suspended
the banners annually delivered at the Castle by the Dukes
of MARLBOROUGH and WELLINGTON, being the tenure by
which they hold their respective domains of Blenheim and
Stratlifieldsaye ; the Marlborough banner consisting of gold
ficur de-lis upon a white ground, that of Wellington the
tri-colour, red, white, and blue. The opening of the fire-
place, underneath these, was filled with choice green-house
plants from Royal Gardens. pawn each side of the hall
ran long tables, on which were laid out articles of china
and gold that would be required for the service of the
banquet. At a little after seven o'clock, their MAJESTIES
and the company entered : the KING took his seat at the
centre of the right side of the table, the QUEEN occupying
the left centre immediately opposite, and the seats accorded
to their rank and station. After dinner the attention of
the company was suddenly attracted by a large blazing star
(one of the insignia of the Most Noble Order of the
Garter) which had been temp narily erected at the further
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Lord JOHN RUSSELL, the Hon. Mr. STANLEY, COlOl el
LYGON, Sir T. RENNErr, &c.

EARL GREY.--Friday afternoon Earl G Ey
had a very narrow escape from losing his life. The Noble
Ertl had just left his residence in Downing•street, and was
in the act of crossing the road near Little Church-street,
when a vaggon•ltorse that had escaped fiom a boy trio
npai leading him, and galloping along the road with great
ury, rushed within art inch of his Lordship, who must
have inevitably been knocked down had not a gentleman
ran towards the animal and struck him on the head, which
caused hint to take another direction. Sunday Times.
The D
tiejeune to their MAJESTIES, the Dut;hess and Prince
uke of DEVONSIIIRE gave a grand
George of CumBERLANo, attended by Baron LINSINGEN
and Lady SONTIA LENNOX, and the Rev. Mr. JELF, the
Duchess and Prince George of CA3lnitinGE, and the
;Aer members of the Royal Family, the Duke of SAXE
MEININGEN, the Duchess of SANE WEIMAR, Earl GREY,
Lord HOELANT), 'Viscount GooEtticir, arid others of the
Cabinet Aliuisters, and a numerous party of the nobility
and gentry, at his seat at Chiswick, on Saturday.
DIVISION OF COUNTIES.—The owners and
oecup;ers of laud have at length determined to meet
this day, to consider the propriety of petitioning against
this clause of the Reform Bill, alike anomalous to the
principle, and destructive of the practice. It is to bl re-
gretted that the landed interest' did not take up 'this
matter when so long ago as May last we pointed out the
evil to their attention. But better late than never. «'e
trust the meeting will be full, the resolutions strong, and
dip petition inittediately agreed upon and presented.
/f orwiclf Alsi.c €(7,
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