The Sun.
London, England, 1856-03-07 00:00:00

COVENT-GARDEN THEATRE.

Her Majesty, sharing in the sympathy which pervaded
all classes at the destruction of Covent-garden Theatre,
visited the yet smoking ruins yesterday afternoon.
Mr. Gye arrived in Lendon at six o'clock yesterday
morning, having left Paris en the previous day as early
as practicable after receipt of the sad intelligence. He
drove direct to the theatre, and alter inspecting the
ruins of his property proceeded with great energy to in-
stitute arrangements which should provide for immedi-
ate contingenciee, and lead up to meesuree that in all
probability will preserve to the public the lyric drama,
the apparently irreparable loss of which had created so
universal a regret.
%Vint@ thus engaged an intimation reached Mr. Gye
of her Majesty's gracious intention fee visit and inspect
all that remained of the theatre, and nueh preparations
as were necessary for the royal reception were hastily
made.
At half-past 3 o'clock her Majesty arrived at the
Princes-Mace entrance, by which she had so often visited.;
the theatre under happier auspices. Mr. Gye was
im-
mediately in attendance, and proeveded to pay the last
melancholy honours of the house by ushering her Ma-
jesty to the door immediately next to the royal entrance,
where a few boards and broken doors being laid down
over the yet warm embers, and a drugget spread upon
them, afforded her Majesty an opnortnnity of advaeoine
in safety a short distance into the interior, and viewing
at one coup cneTl the colossal ruins of the amphitheatre
and the vast mass of property buriei within its circum-
ference.
The Queen, resting her hand on Mr. Gye's arm, ex-
pressed in terms of natural and gracious sympathy the
pain she felt at Mr. Gye'si great personal lenses, of which
she considerately inquired the amount, while she alle-
viated them by a royal expression of her sense of the
praise eor by exertions he had made in elevating the
lyric drama to the height it had attained in this country.
The Queea entered the theatre by a small archway
which brought her to what was formerly known as the
Piazza entrance. Ascending over the debris of the stair-
case leading to the Bedford entrance, her Majesty came
upon the brink of the abyss looking down upon the pit.
A solemn stillness pervaded all around. The vast area
—the lofty walls—still preserving their architectural
grandeur—the amnpbitheatrical form and the defined
courses formerly supporting the pit, almost realised the
effect of the Coliseum. Her Majesty stood for some
moments iu silent and apparently regretful contempla-
tion of the scene, interrupted only by the occasional
snapping of the beams under the heat of the fire,—the
splashing of falling water, and the singular spectacle
presented by the many still burning niches in various
parts of the house.
Upon the retirement of her Majesty Mr. Gye had the
honour of handing np the Princess Royal to the same
point of view, and subsequently Lady Churchill, Lady-
in-Waiting to her Majesty.
After repeating the kind and gracious expression of
her feelings the Queen took her departure.
His Royal Highness Prince Albert shortly after ar-
rived from Somerset House, and was conducted over the
ruins by Mr. Gye.
The public will hear with great satisfaction that th
unrivalled troupe of artistes which Mr. Gye has brought
together for the present season will not be scattered by
this misfortune. This is certain. What the nature of
the arrangements may be is not yet sufficiently defined
for us to announce, but it is unquestionable that London
will not be without its opera this season, and that under
the management of Mr. Gye, who has received letters of
sympathy, and offers of assistance, of the most generous
nature, from the highest quarters.
The walls of the theatre have been pronounced unsafe,
and are in process of demolition.
It is believed that all the persons respecting whose
safety anxieties had been felt have now been found safe
The Duke of .Bedford visited the ruins yesterday
morning, nod made inquiries as to the origin of the ere,
of which, LQWeVer, LQUaing new hats been ascertained.

Naval and Military Intelligence.

PORTSMOUTH—Tammy!.
Her Majesty's floating-battery, Capt. A. Cumming,
came into harbour to-day, assisted by the Echo steam-
tog.
Rhadamanthns, 2, paddle store-ship, Master Com-
mander Cole, sailed to-day for the river. . •
Resistance, 8, sailing troop and store-ship, Master
Commander Rivisell, hauled along-aide the dockyard
jetty to-day, to return old stores. Her men lave had
ten days' run. She will refit for foreign service..
;Europa, screw-transport (No. 55), Capt. Leitch, came
int harbour to-day, and will discharge guns. and stores
belonging to the Glatton.
Lapwing, 5, screw despatch gun-vessel, Commander
Saumarez, hauled into the steam basin to-day, to receive
boilers and machinery.
Lucifer, 2, paddle, Master Commander Allen, will
sail for Pembroke on Saturday, to navigate two screw
gun-boats to this port for their fit-out and armament.
Gon-boats various in and put of dock and in and out
of harbour.

Alipore, sailing-transport, sailed to-day.
Cruiser, 17, screw, Commander Douglas, play be ex-
pected here from Plymouth, on the 6th inst.
Transit, 6, iron screw, troop frigate, Commander
Charles J. Johnson, is expected to be ready for sea on
the 10th inst.

Second Master Attendant Tonkin bats gone to Rye to
take charge of screw gun-boats to be fitted at this port.
Dragon, 6, paddle ; Geyser, 6, paddle ; and Heels,
6, paddle, are. erected with_gun-boate from Liverpool
and Bristol.

.DEVONPORT--THITIISHAT.
Sappho, 12, sloop, arrived here yesterday. &q ha.
-eastward, bound for the roast-o.f A fri c Str3 will take
a mail from here.- 's • s'

Conflict has been taken out of No. 2 dock at Key-
ham, and the Archer out of No. on the same tide.
Earl'of. Durham, transport, will complete her loading
to-day.
Lady Peel, freight ship, has arrived.
Diiigence, transport, has sailed with stores for Pem-
broke.