The Sun.
London, England, 1846-12-04 00:00:00

THE ROYAL VISIT TO ARUNDEL

CASTLE.
ARUNDEL, THURSDAY.—The Duke of Norfolk acted
as cicerone yesterday to her Majesty. The ancient keep
of the old castle was first visited by the illustrious circle,
and it occupied the Queen nearly half an hour in in-
specting the remains of that famous erection, which for
so many ages was the rendezvous of the warlike re-
tainers of the Mentgomeries, the Albinis, the Fitzallans,
and, lastly, the Howards. This ivy-mantled tower is
without a rival in this country, and is the most pic-
turesque object in the entire building. Its principal
chamber, now roofless, is inhabited by the extraordinary
Australian owls, which are confined within the battle-
ments by a network, and in the different niches,
originally fireplaces, they shelter themselves from the
weather. There are five of these birds, and the Queen
appeared pleased and astonished at their large size,
which more approaches the eagle than the owl of this
country. A beautiful owl is kept separate from the
rest, and we are informed that the bird was caught
while resting in a wood on the domain called the Rewell.
It has the singular propensity of killing its kind,
atfd. we believe that no other specimen of the species
is known in this country, though common to Asia
Minor. Her Majesty and the Prince Consort were
then conducted by the Noble Duke to the sum-
mit of the keep, and from the battlements ob-
tained an extensive view of the surrounding country.
The Queen afterwards proceeded down the castle hill to
the new dairy just erected by the Noble Duke. The
Queen went over the octagon building, which has been
fitted up in a tasteful and elegant style, and subse-
quently visited the cow-houses, the Duchess's apart-
ments, and the garden attached to that part of the Ducal
establishment. Her Majesty and party then returned to
the castle.

At the usual hour yesterday (eight o'clock), dinner
wss announced. The banquet was served up in the same
magnificent form as on the previous evening, the domes-
tics of the Ducal household, in their rich state liveries,
being the only attendants. The Bishop of Chichester,
and Colonel and Mrs. Wyndham, were the only addi-
tions to the dinner circle, which in other respects was
confined to the guests sojourning at the Castle during
the royal visit. The band played the national anthem.
Her Majesty retired from the dining-room at a quarter
to ten, and went direct to the state drawing-room to
take tea.

In the meantime the visitors began to arrive at the
Castle for the evening party, in rapid succession, and
were ushered to the library, in which room the majority
had assembled by ten o'clock.
At ten o'clock the Queen was graciously pleased to
signify her intention to receive several of the leading
guests in the state drawing-room. Lord E. Howard,
Vice-Chainberlain of the Royal Household, had the
honour of introducing a select circle of the guests in-
vited. Her Majesty, at about a quarter past ten, was
conducted by the noble host to the library. The illus.
trious party then passed down the centre of the library,
the general company having placed themselves on either
side of the apartment, her Majesty and Prince Albert
returning the respectful salutations of the congregated
visitors. Her Majesty and his Royal Highness Prince
Albert took their seats towards the end of the gallery.
The Ethiopian singers were introduced, and immediately
commenced their performances, singing some of the
popular songs for which they have gained so much
public favour, apparently to the amusement of the Queen,
as well as to the strangers that had assembled. The
Queen and Prince Consort, at twenty minutes past
eleven, repaired with a brilliant train to the dining-
room to partake of refreshments. In the interval the
tables in that room were changed, and two extended
tables placed at the south end and along the left side of
the apartment, on which a superb display of plate was
exhibited. The Queen and Prince retired from the fes-
tive scene shortly before midnight, and immediately
after the company departed.
This morning, the Qaeen and Prince Albert, and a
large party of the distinguished personages, went to
Petworth House to honour Colonel and Mrs. Wyndham
with a visit. The Hon. Colonel Charles B. Phipps and
Colonel Bouverie, as equerries to the Queen and Prince
Consort, were also in attendance. The royal party
reached Petworth about half-past one o'clock, and re-
turned to the Castle from Petworth House at a quarter
to three o'clock, and immediately after lunched with the
guests in the dining room.
Her Majesty and the Prince in the afternoon proceeded
to the lawn beneath the keep, and there planted two oak
saplings, in the presence of a numerous circle of the
nobility staying at the Castle. After which, the royal
party went to the ancient church of Arundel, adjoining
the park.
The Queen is to leave to-morrow morning, as early as
ten o'clock, for Osborne House.