The Sun.
London, England, 1848-09-09 00:00:00

S N 9 SEPTEMBER 9, 1848.

ROYAL VISIT TO SCOTLAND.

ARRIVAL OF HER MAJESTY AT ABERDEEN.
ABERDEEN, THURSDAY EVENING.-At eight o'clock
this morning the royal yacht Victoria and Albert
rounded the Girdleness light, and steamed right up
into the harbour of Aberdeen. The passage from
Woolwich was made in thirty-nine hours and a half,
and from the Nore in thirty-seven hours—this last
run being without a parallel in the history of steam
navigation between London and Aberdeen.
When the royal yacht was telegraphed from the
Girdleness Lighthouse, the harbour authorities were
quite taken by surprise. From the intimation of the
embarkation received yesterday by the Provost from
Sir George Grey, it was not expected that the royal
squadron would reach Aberdeen Bay until seven
o'clock this evening, and then only by an effort to
save the evening tide. But so perfect were all the
arrangements made for her Majesty's reception, and
so fully alive were the civic authorities to the import-
ance of leaving nothing to be done at the last hour,
that before the yacht had entered the lock to pass
through the gates to the Victoria Dock, the provost
and magistrates were ready to receive her Majesty,
and thousands of the citizens rushed down to the
harbour, when the city bells were seta-ringing to bid
her a loyal welcome. The vessels in the harbour
sent their colours aloft in quick time ; yards were
speedily manned, and the scene, as her Majesty viewed
it from the bridge of the paddle-box, even at that
early hour was well fitted to excite her admiration.
The yacht was moored at the floating buoys imme-
diately opposite the landing at nine o'clock. At half-
past nine Mr. George Thompson, provost; Mr. A.
Davidson, sheriff of the county ; and Mr. Arthur
Dingwall Fordyce, M.P. for the city, proceeded on
board the royal yacht to receive her Majesty's com-
mands. This was a moment of great anxiety to the
city. It was feared that the Queen and Prince Albert
would proceed at once to Balmoral, as the day was
fine and the royal carriages all in readiness. An
express was dispatched to the Earl of Aberdeen to
request his attendance on her Majesty without delay.
The special constabulary who were to act as guards
of honour were mustered, and the various public
bodies who were to constitute the escort through the
city were convened. On being introduced to Sir G.
Grey, the Provost was informed that it was her Ma-
jesty's intention to land on Friday morning, but that
he would ascertain her commands and give a defini-
tive answer in an hour. At eleven o'clock the grati-
fying announcement was made that the landing would
take place at half-past eight o'clock on Friday morn-
ing, and then the multitude who had assembled in
front of the yacht gave three hearty cheers for the
Queen. It was further arranged that her Majesty
would receive the civic authorities at half-past one,
to present a loyal and dutiful address, to confer the
freedom of the city on Prince Albert, and also receive
a deputation from the Professors of Marischal College
and the University.
In this interim we may describe the voyage,
sketch the scene of her Majesty's visit, and endea-
vour to give some idea of the port which her Majesty
has chosen as the landing place to her Highland rest
dence, Balmoral.
The royal yacht left Woolwich at twenty minutes
before five o'clock on Tuesday evening. At seven
o'clock she was abreast the Nore. It had been ar-
ranged that the royal squadron should anchor here
for the night, but the night was so clear and the wind
so favourable, that Captain Cargill, who was specially
engaged to pilot the yacht, on being consulted by
Lord Adolphus Fitzclarence, recommended that, if it
were her Majesty's pleasure, they should proceed
with the voyage. Her Majesty having consented,
the squadron continued its .course seaward, and
steamed all night at the rate of from 10 to 12
knots an hour. Having passed outside the sands
at Yarmouth, they made the Ne warp Light at
four o'clock, A.M., on Wednesday, the wind blowing
strong from the westward, with clear weather. The
passage along the Yorkshire coast during the day
was pleasant. The sea was perfectly smooth, and
her Majesty and Prince Albert enjoyed the prospect
greatly, spending much of the time on deck. In the
evening they were off Tynemouth, passed the Fern
Islands at midnight, and then steered for the Girdle-
ness. The sky now became cloudy; the wind fresh-
ened from W.S.W., and in crossing the Frith of Forth
a heavy swell from the westward came tumbling in.
Here the yacht rolled a good deal, and once or twice
towards morning her Majesty sent up inquiries as to
the cause of this change. On being assured that the
weather was quite favourable, although somewhat
changeable, and it being the opinion of Captain Car-
gill that the yacht might make Aberdeen in time for
the morning tide, the idea of taking the
Tay was abandoned, and the course main-
tained. At six o'clock the high land of Kin.
cardineshire was full in view, and was a grateful sight
to the royal visitors. Unlike the undulating shores
and chalky cliffs of Kent, the verdant flats of Essex,
the table lands of Norfolk and Suffolk, studded with
steepled churches and dotted with windmills, the
black and frowning rocks on the east coast presented
nothing on which the eye could rest with pleasure.
Yet along these bold rugged shores, standing out
from among the mountain masses of conglomerate
quartz, there were points of interest well worth ob-
serving. The majestic ruins of Dunnoter Castle,
once the stronghold of the Marischals of Scotland,
and the scene of many a deadly feud in barbarous
times—the giant caves of the iron-bound coast,
scooped out by the lashings of the storm, where the
" hoarse cadence" of the waves is heard—the clus-
ters of fishermen's huts perched like the " cones on
the rock," and the deeply indented bays which here
and there relieve the hard-visaged outline of the
shore, are full of character.
At 7 o'clock the Vivid was dispatched to announce
the approach of the yacht, and at half-past 8 Aber-
deen was full in sight. From this point of observation
we may sketch the scene that lies in the distance. On the
south, looking westwards, the eastern limb of the
Grampian mountains stretches inwards as far as the
eye can reach. From the banks of the Dee, which
here finds its confluence with the German Ocean,
there rises up in verdant undulations a gentle slope
of highly cultivated land, behind which is a range of
granite hills topped with clumps of firs, and higher
up, on to the southward, a ridge of peaked granite,
whose well heathered summit fills in the background.
Along the base, which forms the bed of the river, a
marshy flat outspreads itself, covered with a luxuriant
crop of yellow corn. In the sweep of the river, here,
a basin has been washed out by the Dee, which at
one time was the only harbour which the port
afforded. In course of time the alluvial deposit car-
ried down here by the river had all but sanded up
the entrance ; but by indomitable perseverance and
scientific skill a basin was scooped out, and a quay wall
of everlasting granite was run out on the north side
and carried the bar to a good depth seawards. Nearly
half a million of money was spent in this erection,
and it now stands a monument of what man can do
when he sets himself to a great work. In the fore-
ground, to the westward, the city rises up on the face
of two hills, bridged by a noble arch of 120 feet span,
over which, in the distance,- a well-wooded country
may be seen. The Dee here, on the south- west, flows
through a gully spanned by a chain bridge, which
bears the honoured name of Wellington. To the
north a semicircular sweep of sand lies oft the bay,
bounded on the north-east by another bold headland,
called the Black Dog.
Sheltered from the south-east swell by the Girdle-
ness, the bay was as smooth as glass, and notwith-
standing all that had been prophesied about the danger
of crossing the bar, the yacht went right forward and
entered the harbour in gallant style.
The appearance of the dock was, to the Royal visi-
tants, a subject of agreeable surprise. Both her Ma-
jesty and Prince Albort expressed their astonishment
at a work of such stupendous magnitude, and Sir
George Grey remarked to Captain Cargill, that he
had no idea such a dock existed at Aberdeen. Let us
describe it. It includes the upper part of the tidal
harbour already described, and the water covers an
area of thirty-four acres. It is the largest single
dock, we believe, in the kingdom. The chamber of
the lock is 250 feet in length and 60 feet in breadth,
and is constructed entirely of dressed granite. The
whole of this immense structure rests upon a founda-
tion of 4,000 piles. There are three pair of gates in
the lock, the ribs of which are of cast iron and the
covering plank entirely of mahogany. Beyond the
look, on the south side, a cofferdam has been con-
structed for another entrance, for a single pair of gates,
70 feet in breadth. The whole of the quay walls
around the dock are composed of dressed granite, and
measure 6,000 feet in length. The quays measure
100 feet in breadth, and are all paved with granite.
In the centre of this magnificent sheet of water,
and about 30 feet from the North-quay, the Victoria
and Albert La now lying gaily decked, and viewed by
at least 60,000 people.
The Black Eagle and Vivid are also in the duck,
but the Virago did not arrive in time for the tide.
At one o'clock the whole of the vast amphitheatre
around the dock was filled by elegantly-dressed citi-
zens. A detachment of military guarded three sides
of the platform. The special constables lined the
inner front of the circle, and the carriage way, which
was railed off on the quay, was kept clear for the ma-
gistrates and council, who were now on their way to
present the address.
At half-past one the Lord Provost, accompanied._ by
Captain Fordyce, M.s., Sheriff Davidson, and Sir

[PRICE SD.

Michael Bruce, arrived in a splendid carriage. They
were received, with the Town-Clerk, magistrates,
Dr. Cruickshank, Professor Pixie, Rev. Dr. Pireie,
and Professor Martin, of Marischal College and
University, by Sir G. Grey on the quarter-
deck of the Victoria and Albert. The officers were
ranged by the fore rail, and the deputation on the
starboard side of the quarter-deck. At a quarter to
one o'clock her Majesty and Prince Albert appeared
on the main deck, which was splendidly carpeted for
the reception, and the moment they were recognised
they were welcomed by a burst of cheering from the
immense multitude who had congregated to witness

- .
the reception. The Lord Provost having been intro-
duced to her Majesty by Sir G:!orge Grey, did obei-
sance, and kneeling presented her Majesty with the
silver keys of the•city. The Lord Provost had then
the honour of kissing hands, and presenting in the
name of the community a loyal and dutiful address
from the magistrates and council of the town. In
presenting this address the Provost said " he had the
honour, in the name of the magistrates, town council,
and community of Aberdeen to congratulate her
Majesty and Prince Albert on their safe and speedy
arrival in this ancient city, and begged to tender the
grateful acknowledgments of the citizens for the dis-
tinguished honour thus conferred upon them." Her
Majesty graciously received the address, and expressed
her happiness at being in Aberdeen. The following
is a copy of the address :
"UNTO THE QUEEN'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY.
"May it please your Majesty,—We, your Majesty's
most dutiful and loyal subjects, the Provost, Magistrates,
and Council of the city of Aberdeen, beg leave most
heartily to congratulate your Majesty on your Majesty's
safe arrival in your ancient and loyal city of Aberdeen,
not unfrequently honoured in former times by
the presence of your Majesty's Rval ancestors. In
now placing at your Majesty's disposal the keys of this
city, we beg to accompany them with our sincere expres-
sion of fidelity and attachment to your Majesty's person
and government, and of our warmest wishes for the con-
tinued health and happiness of your Majesty, your illus-
trious Consort, and the Royal Family.
" Signed in name and by appointment of the Provost,
Magistrates, and Council of the city of Aberdeen,
and the common seal of the said city hereunto
affixed at Aberdeen, and within the Town-hall
thereof, this itb day of September, 1848.
" GEORGE THOMPSON, jun.,
"Provost and Chief Magistrate of the city of Aberdeen."
The Lori Provost, then addressing his Royal High-
ness Prince Albert, said, " May it please your Royal
Highness to allow me the honour of presenting to you
the freedom of the city of Aberdeen—the highest
compliment which it is in the power of the commu-
nity to offer. Assuredly, it cannot be more worthily
conferred, and it will afford great pleasure to the
citizens to know that the name of your Royal High-
ness is enrolled among the burgesses of Bon Accord."
To which his Royal Highness replied, that " He felt
highly honoured by this mark of distinction from the
citizens of Aberdeen, and highly appreciated the pri-
vilege of being enrolled a burgess of their ancient
city." Sir Michael Bruce, in the name of the Se-
natus of Marischal College, was then introduced by
Sir George Grey, and presented to her Majesty the
following address
To THE QUEEN'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY.

" Most Gracious Sovereign,—We, ycur Majesty's
most loyal and faithful subjects, the Chancellor, Rector,
Dean of Faculty, Principal and Professors of the Maris-
chal College and University of Aberdeen, beg leave to
approach your Majesty with our most hearty congratu-
lations on your Majesty's safe arrival in this part of
your dominions, and with the expression of our most
warm attachment to your Majesty's person and govern-
ment and to that happy constitution of which your Ma-
jesty is the head.
As members of a university, w© shall ever feel it
our duty to inculcate, in connexion with literature and
science, those principles of religion and loyalty which
are the best safeguards of true liberty and of public
order.

" We earnestly pray that the Almighty may long pre-
serve and bless with health and happiness your Majesty,
your illustrious Consort, and the Royal Family.
" Signed in our nein.) and by our appointment.
" Aberdeen, Sept. 1848."
"To HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCE ALBERT.

" May it please your Royal Highness,—We, her Ma•
jesty's most dutiful and loyal subjects, the hancellor,
Rector, Dean of Faculty, Principal, and Professors of
the Marischal College and University of Aberdeen, beg
leave most humbly to tender our heartfelt congratula-
;ions on the auspicious visit of her Majesty and your
Royal Highness to this part of her Majesty's ancient
kingdom of Scotland.
" That your Royal IlighneTis may long be spared in
the enjoyment of every blessing is our united and fer-
vent prayer.
" Signed in our name and by our appointment,
RICHMOND, &c.

" Aberdeen, Sept. 1848.",
The Provost and magistrates then withdrew, and
her Majesty and Prince Albert advancing to the taff-
rail of the quarter-deck, were received with deafening
shouts of applause. Retiring for a little her Majesty
and the Prince again advanced, and, with the Prince
of Wales in one hand and the Princess Royal in the
other, presented themselves before the multitude, who
welcomed them with the most enthusiastic cheering.

In the afternoon, Prince Albert, accompanied by
Sir James Clerk and Sir_ George Grey, visited King's
College, and was received in the hall by the Earl of
Aberdeen, Chancellor of the University, Sir Michael
Bruce, and the professors and magistrates of Old
Aberdeen. Lord Aberdeen read an address from the
Senatus to his Royal Highness, which was very cor-
dially received and gracefully acknowledged. The
Provost of Old Aberdeen also presented a loyal and
constitutional address, which was received with equal
cordiality. His Royal Highness showed the utmost
courtesy to the large audience;comprising all the beauty
and fashion of Old Aberdeen. Prince Albert was then
shown through the library and museum, after which his
Royal Highness proceeded to Marischal College,
where he was received by the Professors in the open
square of the court, and walked to the College-hall,
where an address was presented by Sir Michael
Bruce. After inspecting the pictures in the hall, his
royal Highness proceeded to inspect the granite
polishing works of Messrs. M‘Donald and Leslie,
where he spent some time in examining the specimens
of polished granite produced by machinery. He also
visited some of the other public works.
We are informed that all the royal party bore the
voyage without inconvenience. Her Majesty appears
frequently on deck, delighting everybody by her
condescension, and astonishing many by the simpli-
city of her attire. The yacht is greatly admired, and
the officers and crew cordially welcomed to the city
of Aberdeen.