The Sun.
London, England, 1856-04-24 00:00:00

tition with the water in exhibiting their ventur•
ous masses, until surrounding objects, even the
great fleet in the distance, became almost insigni-
hcant items in the animated panorama. The scene
from Southsea beach was magnificent. A violet
sky, pure and unclouded as that of Italy—a rip-
pling, dimpling, flashing, sparkling sea—a green
elastic sward of the freshest verdure—dazzling
uniforms, and many coloured costumes—brilliant
equipages, music, flags, laurel wreaths, happy
human faces, and " ladies' laughter singing through
the air, were the accessories of a scene as gay,
brilliant, and animated as any that, with much
experience of popular spectacles, we remember to
have over witnessed. Nor should we omit to
enumerate among the sources of enjoyment the
aromatic sea-breeze, that vif et acre parfum de la
mer of which Alexandre Dumas descants so elo-
quently, and which is so delightfully exhilarating to
those whose fate it is to be pent up in Cities. Tent
and pavilions brightly dotted the green turf, and
waggons, barouches, phaetons, and all manner of
things that run on wheels were drawn to the mar-
gin of the water. Thousands of people sauntered
over the sands or lay on the shingle of the beach,
watching through telescopes and opera-glasses the
movements of the fleet. This multitude extended
from Fort Monckton on the west to Southsea Castle
on the east, a distance of three miles ; and must
have comprised something like 100,000 persons.
Near Southsea Castle a great stand had been erected
in the cause of sight-seeing, and it, like other
smaller structures of the same description, was
crowded with visitors. Yet, brilliant as was the
scene and exuberant with life and gaiety, it was
not without its ludicrous associations ; and of
these the most remarkable were the hideous sta.,
tues erected on the Clarence Esplanade in dement-.
tiou of the memories of 'Nelson and Welling,
top. Even the Londoners, who ought by this
time to be c7.sehardened in the matter of bad
statues, were horrified at these atrocious figures,
and expressed their indignation in no measured
terms. The thought of being caricatured in this
outrageous manner after death is really enough to
deter a man from ever doing anything for his
country. It is not too much to say that these
execrable statues are as' disgraceful to the Southsea
Islanders of Hampshire as they would be to their
namesakes, of the pacific., But strange'is the fate
of our great men, who live in honour,' but dying
leave a bust, at which the world grows pale
From the contemplation of such unworthy libels
on art and greatness We turn with delight to the
vivid and glowing picture which Nature every-
where presented to the eye. The coup cl.ce4 in
the forejound was everything brilliant and de-
lightful that fancy could imagine. The sea
flashed and sparkled in the morning sun, and
over its waters glided every variety of craft,
from the leviathan three-decker of one hundred
and thirty gang and twelve hundred men, to
the little river steamer that, by some speculative
freak, found isself on the joyous bosom of the
Solent. It was interesting to observe the contrast
of the picture—to compare the yachts with the
frigates, and to watch the tiny craft as they picked
their way daintily among the mighty ships-of-war.
The shipping was everywhere decked in the gayest
colours, and upon every breez3 came the strains of
martial music —the commingled melodies of France
and England. The order issued by the Admiralty
that steam-vessels, of whatever class, should burn
anthracite coal, was rigidly obeyed by all the
steamers, except one ; and let future historians
take note of the fact—for it affords an amusing
commentary on the difference between preaching
and practising—that the offending vessel was no
other than the Almiralty yacht, tile Black Eagle.
To the horror of the ingenious Mr. Prideaux, and
to the indignation of all beholders, on she came in
the full insolence of official pride, dimming the at-
mosphere with a volume of black smoke that burst
from her funnel as from afactory chimney.

ILLUMINATION OF THE FLEET.
The most interesting and only novel feature in
the day's movements was that reserved for the
night, as an Erneralder might say ; and this was
a thorough novelty to such of the present genera-
tion as accidentally witnessed it. We say " acci-
dentally," because no notice of as intention to
illuminate was given in the Admiralty's pro-
gramale, and consequently thousands who had
borne the cold and languor of the day had left on
their return to their distant homes before the ships
made this grand and brilliant demonstration. This
was effected by simultaneously lighting up' the
yards and portholes with bluelights. At 9 o'clock
gun fire, the whole fleet at anchor burst into light
as if by magic ; the jets one above another main-
topmast high aloft, and the ports of each opened at
once, showing a vivid glare between decks, caused
an unusual roar of cheering from the shore, which
was echoed and given back with interest from the
boats of the legion afloat. This in the stillness of
the calm night had an effect as imposing as it was
rare, and cheer upon cheek applauded the spectacle.
From 9 to 10 rockets were sent up thickly from the
ships, and raised golden shower upon 'the" float-
ing capital." The Commander-in-Chief, , Sir G.
Seymour, entertained the admirals, captains, and
other officerta 'of the fleet at the Admiralty-house
its the oreningovhere the French Admiral and staff
were the honoured guests. The Erebus, ono of the
three monster flca.t.ipg,be,t.teries bu,ilt of wrought-
iron by Napier; arrived, at Bpitlipa from Olaigiiw
just in.time to be a feature in the finale.:

THE LONDON RAILWAYS.
The various railways throughout the country whose
lines could be brought in connection with those whose
termini were either at Gosport, Southampton, or Ports-
mouth, had for many days past announced the: arrange.
ments they had made, and thousands of persons availed
themselves of that transit, but the main line used, was
the London and South-Western Railway. On Tuesday
tnsotti rog. np i .pi
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oetooi
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and those who were anxious ta anticipate the review, by
er
securing to themselves the most convenient position,
took advantage of these trains and during the entireif
the day up to the departure cf the mail trains, crowds
of pedestrians, carriages, cabs, and every description of
vehicle, continued to arrive• at the station. Owing to
the ariangeinents of the official authorities but very
sight inconvenience Was felt.
Yesterday, however, called forth the greatest energies
of the railway officials, and every precaution was adopted
that could fairly be brought to bear. It had been an-
nounced that the first excursion train would leave at 5
o'clock, and special trains at G. 15 to Southampton, and
6to Portsmouth. Tee House of Peers and Commons'
train at 7.45.
As early as 3 o'clock yesterday morning carriages and
cabs approached the station. Pedestrians in all the fall
excitement of excursionists, although two boors before
the time, were at the station ; anefrom that time Up to
the bell ringing at 5 o'clock, the crowd of people coal.
tinued to pour in, producing a scene of novelty and ex-
citement rarely witnessed at that hour of the morning.
When the bell rang the disappointment of manybundreds
of those persons who aro always " too late" was amns-
iwith, exhibiting a card, declaring they must go by the
train, or they should " lose the boat."
After the departure of the five o'clock train placards
were posted, announcing that No. I gate was for Go.
iernment officials to Southampton alone, and No. a'-to
Portsmouth. Nevertheless many hundreds of non official
persons succeeded in getting into " the Government
official train." After the departure of these trains, at a
quarter-past six, the members of the Government, the
Houses of Peers and Commone., and the judges, with
those gentlemen possessing Government tickets, arrived.
The train was drawn up on the arrival platform.
According to the official statement, the number of car•
riages sent down, and composing the various trains to
Southampton and Portsmouth, were 867, conveying up.
wards of 30,000 persons.