The Sun.
London, England, 1867-07-16 00:00:00

THE SULTAN AT THE OPERA.

Last evening the Sultan visited the Royal Italian
Opera-house, Covent-garden, in state. his Imperial
Majesty entered by the Floral-hall, which had been
specially prepared for tha occasion. The decora-
tions of the building were at once simple and appro-
priate. The central nave was reserved for the pro-
gress of the Imperial procession, while the side aisles

were appropriated to the accommodation of specta-
tors. At each end of the building there had been

reared large pyramids of hothouse plants, while the
ailes were separated from the nave by banks of
flowers, which, by the richness and luxuriance of
their blossoms, fully justified the title of the build-
ing. The hall was lighted by clusters of lamps, and

cstoons of artificial s were carried from

the roof to the columns. The central space was
covered with a carpet, and was strictly reserved for

Lo use of the illustrious visitors and their suites.

The doors were opened at eight o'clock, and soon
afterwards the space allotted to the public was
tolerably well filled, but there was no crowding.
For some time the spectators had no occupation
except that of criticising the appearance of the
yeomen of the guard, or Beefeaters, about a dozen
of whom guarded the passage from the entrance of
the hail to that of the Opera-house. By and bye,
however, the members of the band of one of the
regiments of the Guards dropped in one by one ;
and soon some of the great officers of State made
their appearance, and gathered together at the head
of the stairs. Among the earliest of these were—
the Earl of Bradford, Lord Claude Hamilton, and
Mr. Spencer Ponsonby, who were for some time en-
gaged in completing the arrangements for the re-
ception of his Imperial Highness. They had

hardly finished their task when the first bars of the
National Anthem announced the arrival of some

member of the royal family, and his Royal High-
ness the Duke of Cambridge entered the hall, ac-
companied by Colonel Macdonald. His Royal
Highness was in the full uniform of a field-
marshal, and wore the ribbon of the Garter. Im-
mediately after him came the Prince of Wales and
his suite, and although of course on such an occa-
sion cheering was out of the question, there was
a sort of buzz and flutter amongst the ladies and
gentlemen which might stand in place of the
more hearty but vulgar acclamation. His Royal

Highness was in the uniform of a colonel
of Hussars, and wore across his breast the ribbon of
the Medjidie. The next to arrive was the Viceroy of
Egypt, who was received by the court dignitaries,

and as soon as he entered the hall shook hands
with the Prince of Wales. Almost immediately
afterwards the sound of a band outside playing
the Turkish Imperial air announced the arrival of
the Sultan ; and as the strains were taken up by
the musicians within, his Imperial Majesty entered
the hall, preceded by the Chamberlain, Deputy
Chamberlain, and other court officials, and followed
by his variously attired suite. As the Sultan as-
cended the steps the Prince of Wales stepped for-
ward to meet him, and greeted him with a cordial
salute, to which his Majesty responded with the
easy and graceful courtesy of an Oriental. His
Majesty's dress was very similar to, if not the same
as, that which he wore upon his arrival. His blue
surtout was perhaps more richly embroidered with
gold ; but on his head he wore the plain red fez
with a blue tassel. Accompanying him was his son,
a lad of ten years of age, who was dressed exactly
like his father, and wore, like him, the broad
green ribbon of the Medjidie across his heart•
The appearance of the suite was even more
varied and attractive than that which it pre-
sented ou Friday last, when many of its members
were in their travelling dresses. The green cloak
and turban of the grand almoner attracted particular
attention, and this distinguished personage was
specially honoured by the recognition of the Prince
of Wales. The Circassian, whose lofty caftan
towered above the heads of all around him, was at-
tired in a suit of great magnificence, and the white
tunics of two or three Albanians—" the snowy
catnise of the poet--stood out in vivid contrast
against the dark uniforms of the more sombrely
attired officials. But a few moments were spent
in the interchange of courtesies and the arrange-
ment of the procession before the imperial and
royal cortege moved onwards towards the en-
trance of the Opera-house. The Sultan and the
Prince of Wales walked together, preceded by the
chamberlains and other officials, and were followed
by the Viceroy of Egypt, the Duke of Cam-
bridge, Fuad Pacha, and the members of their
respective suites. The Sultan has either entirely
lost, or for this occasion put aside, the half-
wearied, half-careless air which characterised him
upon his arrival in London. His Majesty walked
with a brisk but dignified step up the hall,
whil3 his quick, keen glance appeared to take in all
the features of the scene; and he responded almost
gaily to the respectful salutations which greeted him
as he passed along. The response never passed be-
yond a waive of the arm, with a slight inclination
of the head ; but it was given with more spirit and
more appearance of earnestness than was discernible
in his acknowledgments of the far more enthusiastic
welcome which was offered to him in the Charing-
cross station. The royal party left the Floral-hall
by the steps at the north-east corner, and passed
through the crush-room, which had been elegantly
decorated by Mr. Nosotti, into the theatre. The
royal box was in the centre of the grand tier, and
had been formed by throwing some half-dozen
boxes on that and the tier above into one. Over
the front there was a handsome canopy of crimson
velvet, and above this the royal arms of Turkey
and England. When the Sultan and the Prince
of Wales came to the front of the box, the
audience rose from their seats, the ladies waved
their handkerchiefs, the gentlemen clapped their
hands, and some even went so far as to cheer mildly.
The reception was not enthusiastical, but enthu-
siasm is not to be expected at the opera. The
Sultan had arrived so punctually that many per-
sons who had calculated upon delay did not reach
the theatre in time to witness his entry ; and many
boxes and stalls were vacant when the royal party
came into the ho•ise. Before the applause had
subsided the curtain was drawn up, and the com-
pany sang the following ode, written and composed
by Mr. Bartholomew and Mr. Costa for the occasion :
God preserve thee, Sultan, long ;
Ever keep then from all woes ;
May thy State and thee be strong,
To dismay and resist thy foes 1
O may thou continue great,
Of thy nation's lovo secure,
On then may all blessings wait,
And remain for over sure.

U grant this, gracious God,
And, by Thy mighty aid,
Lot his potent legal rod
Be willingly obeyed.
Lot every art increase
Throughout his beloved land,
And may he deal the fruits of peace
With an unsparing hand.
God of all glory,
Power, and renown,
Grant he before Theo
May still wear a crown !
Then may he near Thee
Praise ani adore,
Joyfully hear Thee,
His God, evermore.
The opera was " Masaniello," and the principal
parts were performed by Madame L. Sherrington
and M. Naudin. The Sultan appeared to pay close
attention to the music, but left his box in the inter-
vals between the acts, greatly to the disappointment
of those who had anticipated tho pleasure of staring
him out of countenance while the act drop was
down. At the end of the third act he left the theatre
accompanied by the Prince of Wales, the Viceroy,
the Duke of Cambridge, and the members of hie
suite, in the same order in which they had arrived.
As soon as it was noticed that he was about to de-
part many ladies and gentlemen left their places
and hurried round to the Floral Hall, and his Im-
perial Majesty's departure was accompanied by the
same flattering testimonies of respect as attended
his arrival.

We are requested to state that the account which
appeared in the Times and several of the morning
journals about the Sultan going to Stafford House
after the performance is incorrect.